February racing action started with Group 2 heats at Addington and wound up with Group 1 heats at Manukau. In between there was a stack of quality performances from both the canine athletes and human industry participants.

Pictured: Canterbury Futurity winner Vikings (pic Dave Robbie)

The month’s feature events kicked off with the running off four February 2 520m heats for the Christchurch Casino Canterbury Futurity. Those heats translated into utter domination for the powerful local Dave and Jean Fahey kennels who advanced six runners through to the February 9 final.

It was the promising Vikings who clocked the fastest time (30.37s) from the heats and this then C1 graded son of Barcia Bale and Jinja Power went on to deliver an easy pace-making 30.45s, 3.5 length victory in the $30,000 final at Group 2 level for his owing I Pave Opawa syndicate.

As expected the final was completely dictated by the Fahey’s who trained the first four youngsters to finish – Mazu, Opawa Bred and Min Ho finishing next in that order. “That was a great result. Yes, Vikings has got a fair amount of pace alright – he’s getting better and better, improving all the time. I thought he was good enough to lead out and when he opened a gap on them down the back I knew then he would hang on.

“He does have sheer speed and he is getting stronger. You can’t beat times like his second sectional which is now matching what American Warrior (NZ Cup winner) can post,” advised Dave Fahey after the decider.

  

Vikings with co-trainer Dave Fahey following his strong Christchurch Casino Canterbury Futurity win; Know Worth winning the Nina’s Girl NZRS Distance final and with trainer Gary Cleeve and Christchurch Chairman Chris Earl (pics Dave Robbie)
 

The other feature on the same card was the running of the Nina’s Girl $11,000 NZRS Distance final over the 732m staying journey. It resulted in a stylish victory for the Gary “Crafty” Cleeve bred, trained and co-owned (with partner Gaylene Turnwald) Know Worth.

Know Worth worked her way around her rivals to secure the race lead when turning into the home straight on the first occasion. From there this daughter of Scotexcited and Know Spirit turned the event into a procession which saw her completing her assignment in 44.22s, scoring by a convincing seven length margin. Goldstar Jagger (Steve & Bonny Evans) and Long Stockings (Ashley Bradshaw) filled the minor placings.

“Yes, I was very pleased with the result. Know Worth is a natural wide runner. She was presented with a run in clear air on the outer of the others where she wanted to be. From there I was pleased when watching her working her way forward to grab a break on the field. She kept on rolling along in front and that was it,” said Cleeve.

Sunday February 12 saw the Christchurch club host their annual Memorial Day. It was an afternoon of reflection for many industry participants as the club remembered people who had contributed immensely to greyhound racing over many, many years in the Canterbury region.

  

Here’s a selection of post races pics with family members being represented at the podium as supplied by Dave Robbie (from left): Tilt won the Merv Fahey Memorial for Lisa Waretini, seen here with co-owner Alesha Waretini with from left, Dave, Jean, Rose and Halle Fahey; the Graham Barron Memorial was won by Birdie Tee for Ray Adcock, pictured here with Denise Barron and Vanessa Townsend; the Gordon Kingston Memorial saw the Robin Wales and Josh Lane training Opawa Binge to win, pictured with co-owner Graham Campbell, Josh Lane and Maureen Kingston
 

It was a real foul February 17 Friday evening at the Hatrick Raceway when the $8,000 NZRS Graduation final was decided over 520m. Warm favourite Thrilling Raider came away in the midfield from where he improved to get onto the rail when racing around the first bend. He then went underneath the early pacemaker to claim a race lead that he was never going hand up.

Thrilling Raider, who is a member of the talented Sergio – Thrilling Ella litter, found the judge holding a two length margin, clocking a respectable 30.08s, especially considering the appalling, torrential rain the race was contested in. It was back to back NZRS Graduation wins for this Karen Walsh trained, Gary Harding bred and owned exciting youngster.

The feature race wins plundered by Karen Walsh continued a couple of days later when she loaded away the smart Timmy Trumpet into the Manukau 527m five trap for the $5,000 Clover Park Cup, which was the lead in event for the looming Plasterboard Auckland Cup series. He came away nicely to undertake the pace-making duties. He relished his task when in cruise control throughout, resulting in him securing his race win by a two and a half margin, clocking 30.60s.

 

Thrilling Raider had won the Waikato hosted NZRS Graduation final prior to heading south for his win in the Wanganui hosted version of the same final; Timmy Trumpet seen here with handlers Taylor Thorndon and Greg Hore after his Manukau Clover Cup feature win
 

The time honoured Kolorful Kanvas Robinson Rosebowl was up for decision during the Christchurch hosted February 23 Addington meeting. It was a powerful finish that carried the Roy Hamilton, Invercargill based Southern Lights to victory in the $7,500 520m event. He scored by a 1.5 length margin, clocking 30.44s.

The talented greyhound raced in career best form during the month, which netted him three powerful race victories. Included was his strong length, 32.74 Otago 545m win in the John Mills Memorial win, which was a race that remembered the former Otago club President.

  

Southern Lights winning the Kolorful Kanvas Robinson Rosebowl; previously Southern Lights won the John Mills Memorial on Forbury Park – he’s seen here winning that event and with Roy Hamilton flanked by Caroline Mills (left) and daughter Susan Hopkins - pics supplied by Dave Robbie - drobbie@ihug.co.nz – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos
 

News came through during the month about the retirement from racing of the current New Zealand Greyhound of the Year Dyna Vikkers. Reoccurring soreness from trialing prompted his trainer Craig Roberts to wrap up his charges outstanding career.

Dyna Vikkers concluded his superb racing career after having contested 57 races, winning 33 of them and after adding in a further 17 minor placings saw him earning $226,925 in stakes for his owner Brendan Wheeler.

  

Winning three Group 1 races assisted Dyna Vikkers to his 2015/16 NZ Greyhound of the Year title – he’s seen here following those wins with his Waterloo Cup, Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup and his Plasterboard Ltd Auckland Cup victories
 

By Peter Fenemor-The Dogs