Southland commentator Dave McDonald mentioned the southern lights were shining brightly in the southern skies the night before the southern racing star Southern Lights delivered his powerful win in Tuesday’s $11,000 NZRS Advanced final.
As Davy Mac said in his post-race comments, “That was a real strong omen for the race.”
Southern Lights had to be good, really good to nail his 23rd career victory. Sure he drew the ace-trap, the same trap from where he produced his smart 25.84s 457m heat win from. As usual, he wasn’t the quickest away, but again he displayed track sense when refusing to hand up the rail. He gamely stuck to his task when punching forward along the paint which saw him being nicely positioned to challenge for the thick end of the stake when the field swung in for the long run home up the Ascot Park straight.
It was the other heat winner from two weeks ago Opawa Jimbo who had swooped around the outer after jumping from trap eight to set up the pace for his trainers Josh Lane and Robin Wales. This Opawa Racing bred and owned son of Winsome Opawa and Opawa Andre led the field in while being hotly chased by the Gary Cleeve bred, trained and co-owned Know Hassle, who is a member of the talented Dyna Tron and Know Which litter.
Southern Lights was lurking just in behind this pair. The gap was there along the rail for Southern Lights to seize and he didn’t hesitate as he strongly extended to nail his 25.90s win by a three-quarter length margin over a gallant Opawa Jimbo. Know Hassle, who has developed a strong affinity with the Southland track, kicked on stoutly for his third, just a further half-length behind.
The locally Roy Hamilton owned and trained son of Lochinvar Marlow and Imperative showed why he is the current Southland Greyhound of the Year when claiming his eighth track win (five minors) from his 19 Ascot Park races. He lifted his career stake earnings to $66,855 (excluding Breeders’ bonus payments) from his 65 race day outings.
The beneficiary of Tuesday’s $3,000 Breeders bonus is Anne (Alice) Dann who bred the one off litter whelped by Imperative. “We had our hands full with the litter (four pups) as Imperative didn’t produce any milk. Anne and I had to hand feed the pups after whelping so obviously we didn’t breed from her again, sending her to GAP from where she has gone onto to be a couch potato – the line is finished,” said husband Bruce who added, “We sent both Southern Lights and Believe down to Roy and Georgina when they were only a few months old to be reared.”
The association has been maintained as Bruce has been the “caretaker” trainer for Southern Lights during his occasional Addington campaigns. “He is a very nice dog and it has been great watching his career throughout,” he added.
Southern Lights with Roy and Georgina Hamilton following his NZRS Advanced victory and he’s joined by the place-getters Opawa Jimbo with co-trainer Josh Lane and third placed Know Hassle with Gary Cleeve – pics Tim Johnston, supplied by Dave Robbie - drobbie@ihug.co.nz – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos
By Peter Fenemor
