Last Monday’s Palmerston North chasing action provided a real tasty appetiser leading into next Friday’s huge weekend of big ticket tri-code racing in the city.
Pictured: Letron James, who is a likely invitee in next Friday’s Palmerston North Gold Cup Invitation
The Norwood City of Palmerston North Gold Cup Festival is a celebration of racing for all three codes over Friday and Saturday in the city. The greyhound component will feature a smorgasbord of numerous quality races during their twilight dual code meeting at the Manawatu Raceway next Friday (first race 3.35pm).
It has been a very, very long time since middle distance racing has dominated a greyhound race card in this country. Twelve 457m races last Monday certainly brought back memories from years ago. All twelve races provided competitive, even contests.
Last Monday’s 457m heats for five separate events decided the finalists who will return next Friday to contest their respective finals with each carrying a $5,000 stake. The quality racing witnessed in those heats says that all five finals will be cut throat, keenly contested affairs.
The C4/5 assessed chasers engaged in their Monday 457m event with connections seeking to confirm invitations into Friday’s feature $15,000 Palmerston North Gold Cup Invitation at Group 2 level.
Canterbury trainer Craig Roberts travelled north with a team of chasers for Monday’s racing and he returned home with the quickest 457m winners from the meeting. Included was his recent Plasterboard Ltd Auckland Cup finalist Letron James who cruised through his 457m assignment in the meet best 26.01s time.
There will be two other selected $5,000 races, over 457m and 660m to be held on Friday’s card. A clear example of the innovation displayed by the Paul Freeman led Palmerston North club for this high profile meeting is clearly illustrated by the carding of the $10,000 Arch Lawrence Distance Invitation over the extreme 766m journey. Just four staying canine athletes will start in this handpicked field, with the connections of the four invited stayers being required to front up with a $500 nomination fee.
Bring it on!
Strong Palmerston North 457m heat winners from last Monday included the kennelmates Bigtime Bell (left) and Bigtime Jason; Legendary rock star Jimmy Barnes will launch the tri-code Norwood City of Palmerston North Gold Cup Festival when he performs in the city on Thursday evening
By Peter Fenemor - The Dogs
