The high class stayer Shandell joined a small elite club within the New Zealand greyhound ranks when she chased her way through the $200,000 stakes earning barrier in Wanganui on Friday evening.
Pictured: The $200,000 greyhound Shandell
Shandell was her usual classy self when she cruised to her effortless victory in the $11,000 NZRS Distance final over the 755m Hatrick journey. She ruthlessly stalked the free-wheeling pacemaker until she approached the final turn, where she quickly whipped around the outer and scampered clear to record her 45.02s win by a comfortable 3.25 length margin for her Cambridge conditioner Arch Lawrence.
Pre-race lead in comments concerning this event for the Kiwi bred stayers was about the young up and coming staying contenders versing the hardened, proven canine long distance athletes. Yes, the race was easily won by the later version of stayers, however it was the up-comer Thrilling Flo who confirmed pre-race thoughts that she has a bright future in front of her within the staying ranks.
The Karen Walsh trained daughter of Collision and Thrilling Angel had stylishly won both her prior Cambridge 650m assignments. She was bold, when after settling just in behind the pace she extended nicely during the run home to claim her second placing. In doing so she announced her competiveness over the longer journeys.
Goldstar Jagger owned proven staying attributes and he delivered on that by finishing a further 1.25 lengths behind in third for his trainers Steve and Bonnie Evans. It was the manner that this son of Know Peace and Forever Loyal gained his minor placing that caught the eye. He was slow early, then when racing out wide, he gradually improved his field position. He was tough when hammering out his podium finish as he raced extremely wide around the final turn.
Speaking about eye-catchers, then what about the winner’s younger half-brother and kennelmate Augello. This son of Fear Zafonic and Teegan was shunted back to the rear where he was in a tailed off position with a lap of the track to run. From there he purposely made up a fair slice of territory with his momentum carrying him into a meritorious fourth, 7.25 lengths astern of his winning half-sister.
No one can deny the sheer authority that Shandell brought to this event. Quite simply the Queen of the staying ranks was utterly dominant. The dual NZ Stayer of the Year and former NZ Greyhound of the Year winner brought up yet another career highlight when bringing up now in excess of $200,000 in stake winnings.
Her 34th race victory carried her race earnings out to $202, 547. She has placed on a further 21 occasions from 72 race day outings. This was Shandell’s fifth win in a NZRS Distance final, meaning in those races alone she has accumulated an additional attached $15,000 in Breeders’ bonus payments. Her Group race victories has also seen her winning breeders’ bonuses with all of these payments now sitting at just a tick under $20,000.
It is a truly remarkable career that this member of the talented Mogambo and Teegan litter has carved out. There were six greyhounds in the August 2012 whelped litter bred by Lawrence. Together, those six greyhounds has faced the starter 393 times. They have won 92 races and after adding in a further 119 litter placings, their accumulated stake earnings currently stands at an impressive $461,657 (excluding bonuses), which is a thoroughly deserved result for the Lawrence’s who have consistently bred staying greyhounds for a long time from blood lines that now goes back numerous generations.
“Shandell has been a terrific little bitch,” commented Lawrence who added, “With a round to go on Friday I was pretty confident about her winning. It was more satisfaction, rather than relief when she won it. She proved that she has still got it and she has pulled up terrific. I was also pleased with Augello who showed to me that he’s got a future over the staying trips.”
“There are a number top staying races coming up shortly and of course there’s still the Silver Collar for her to contest. You wouldn’t know that in six months she will turn five – you would think she is half that age the way that she frolics around at home. We are very, very proud of Shandell – she has been great advertisement for the staying greyhounds,” a rightfully proud Arch Lawrence stated.
Shandell made a guest appearance with Arch and Gloria Lawrence at the Cambridge Raceway on Sunday during the Tokoroa meeting; Shandell pictured here winning the 2015 NZ Stayers’ Cup at Addington (pic Dave Robbie); Shandell wearing the Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar after winning the 2015 edition
By Peter Fenemor
