It was back in March 2008 where the relationship between trainer John McInerney and Melbourne greyhound owner and breeder Brian Parkinson commenced. That relationship then developed into victory for the pair in last Thursday’s Ftiz Sports Bar NZ Oaks.
Pictured: NZ Oaks winner Cosmic Odette
Parkinson, who is a long serving Director at the strong The Meadows, Melbourne based club, sent Cosmic Zeus across the Tasman to McInerney back then. He was a more than handy chaser as seen by him making the 2008 New Zealand Cup final and then going on to win the 2009 Far South Challenge on Ascot Park over 457m at Group 2 level.
That relationship also saw team McInerney picking up the training duties for the dual Group 2 winner, the sharp Sozin’s Comet (59 wins). It was Parkinson who recommended to a close mate of his Michael Hart to send Sozin’s Comet to the McInerney’s.
Parkinson is a renowned Victorian breeder, however ironically he didn’t breed Cosmic Odette. “I swapped a pup from a litter I bred for a pup from a litter that a mate of mind bred. Cosmic Odette is actually raced by my wife Louise,” he advised.
In the pre-race NZ Oaks interview Jonathon McInerney had stated, “I feel her chance will depend on what the three dog (Eagle Tee) does from the traps. If we can beat her out, then yes she (Cosmic Odette) will be a chance.”
That was exactly what transpired when the Addington 520m traps lifted for the $40,000 Group 1 feature. It was the stripes racing vest carried by Cosmic Odette that was first sighted with Eagle Tee coming away smartly for her conditioner Ray Adcock. Jostling on the first turn which also involved a skirmish saw this pair being left in front of the field.
Eagle Tee ducked down underneath Cosmic Odette when rounding the first bend, which then translated into a paw-to-paw wrestle going down the back straight. Eagle Tee then eased herself onto a clear race lead, however undeterred Cosmic Odette responded, digging in deep and she came again to claim the race lead during the run home and with it Group 1 glory.
The daughter of Barcia Bale and Bronelly Dancer claimed her win by a 1.75 length margin, clocking 30.51s. Eagle Tee was gallant in finishing second with the Dave and Jean Fahey prepared race favourite Fair Pippa being the next to arrive after being involved in early jostling, a further 2.5 lengths behind.
Jonathon McInerney with the Ftiz Sports Bar NZ Oaks winner Cosmic Odette; runner up Eagle Tee; third placed Fair Pippa
The gallant run delivered by Eagle Tee saw this daughter of Fabregas and Mini’s Fantasy receiving the $1,000 Breeders’ prize by being the first Kiwi bred greyhound to finish in the Group 1 event. Ironically the race was won by the only Australian bred greyhound in the field, which was exactly the same scenario as in the recent NZ Derby where again it was the only Aussie bred in the field who won that Blue Ribbon final (Storm Warning).
Eagle Tee is raced by Jose Arthur in partnership with Ray Adcock. When asked about the Tee naming suffix used in numerous “Tee” named greyhounds, Jose responded with, “My husband Donald is a keen golfer, so that’s how we came up with Tee being used in our greyhound names.”
“I was pretty happy when I saw Cosmic Odette flying the traps, then when others were in strife on the first turn, I knew then she would get some of it (stake). I thought we were in trouble when Eagle Tee took the lead, then Odette came back over the top of her. It’s great for the kennel to win the Oaks,” said Jonathon McInerney. Team McInerney trained the 2011 (Emily Baxter) and 2006 (Anna Lee Whisky) NZ Oaks winners.
Brain Parkinson again picks up the story about Cosmic Odette, explaining why she crossed the Tasman. “She was an impeccable jumper who could run a bit as seen when winning her first four races. She then had a race fall which affected her confidence and she didn’t come back that good (chasing), so we decided her to send her over to John.
“We were pretty happy with her heat run. She got a good box for the final and we thought she was good chance. When she jumped, I though, good we’re right in this. Going down the back when the other dog got underneath her we thought a placing would be great. We were rapt with the way that she dug in and came again to go away from that dog (Eagle Tee), “ confirmed Parkinson, who also admitted to helping himself to a slice of the generous fixed odds quote that was offered for Cosmic Odette.
As usual there was a strong support card to the Group 1 meeting – here’s a pictorial round up from the evening.
It was the Malcolm Grant trained Smash Lilly who took out the opening 295m dash, see here with handler Steve Hurd; Craig Roberts produced Cawbourne Craig to deliver his 295m win; Rosa Tee prevailed in the C3 205m dash for Ray Adcock and handler Jordan Bryce
The John McInerney prepared Speedy Blueblood was successful from the ace-trap in his 295m sprint; Min Ho stylishly won two races during the week, including his Addington 520m win here for his trainers Dave and Jean Fahey; Peter Seque handled Hilton Open for his partner Ashely Bradshaw to take out his C5 295m dash
It was strong gallop that Translator produced to win his 645m event for the Fahey’s, seen with handler and co-owner Mark Lin; Mandy Junior made no mistake from the 520m one trap to nail her win also for the Fahey’s; another Malcolm Grant trained sprinter Serious Torque was required to attend the podium after the race 9 C5 295m sprint
The Ftiz Sports Bar NZ Oaks was next up and here’s the full post race podium pic; Opawa Kevin was the fourth winner mentored by the Fahey’s during the evening – he was too strong for his rivals in the C5 520m event; Craig Roberts wrapped up the evening with his second winner when Cawbourne Dotty slipped around the outer to nail her C4 295m win
By Peter Fenemor
