The once in a lifetime opportunity to contest an NZ Derby and NZ Oaks final for the male and female greyhounds was the April racing highlight. Both of the $40,000 Blue Ribbon Group 1 finals was won by the only Australian bred greyhounds in the respective fields.
Pic: Storm Warning following his strong NZ Derby victory
First up it was the Mike Stent Decorators NZ Derby which was held on a storm-lashed Cambridge Raceway. The omen prospect was the nicely drawn Storm Warning from the Lisa Cole kennels and so it proved when he mastered the pace-making Vikings during the run home to nail his victory in 25.49s by a 1.25 length margin.
It was the Dave and Jean Fahey prepared kennelmates Vikings and Min Ho who claimed the minor portion of the stake with the former securing second by half a length.
“It’s nice to finally train an NZ Derby winner. It is brilliant to win it,” commented the trainer's husband Brendon Cole at the time. “He is a very strong dog who has definitely responded positively to the finish-on-lure we operate here.
It was then onto the Addington Raceway on April 27 where The Fitz Sports Bar NZ Oaks was decided. Early pace was the key tactic during this event and effectively using that asset when jumping from the two trap led to victory for the John McInerney prepared Cosmic Odette.
She had vied for the race lead throughout with Eagle Tee whom she subdued during the run home when delivering her 30.51s classic win. Eagle Tee was brave when kicking on solidly for her second, 1.75 lengths behind her, for her conditioner Ray Adcock while holding a 2.5 length margin over the Fahey-trained Fair Pippa.
“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.
The third Group 1 event decided during April was the Adept Accountants Wanganui Distance over the extreme 755m trip on April 28. It resulted in the arrival of a genuinely strong staying greyhound when the Angela Turnwald trained Tranquil Blossom delivered her resounding victory. She flew over the last 250 or so metres when she ruthlessly gunned down the freewheeling, pace-making Thrilling Flo from the Karen Walsh kennels.
In doing so the swift 44.46s, easy 6.5 length winner powerfully thrust her paws right into contention for the fast approaching Plasterboard Ltd Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar series. Thrilling Flo was gallant in claiming the runners-up prize 1.25 lengths over a game Shandell who in finishing third completed a full podium set for this Group 1 event, after winning it in 2015 and then finishing second in 2016 for her conditioner Arch Lawrence.
“It has been more about her getting used to NZ racing which obviously she is now. The aim for her all along has been the Silver Collar and I feel this win is a nice bonus along the way towards it. I knew she had it won at the 645m boxes,” said the trainer’s partner Paul Freeman, who was also rapt in providing owners, and long-time industry participants, Craig Rendle and Kevin Brady with their first ever Group 1 victory.
The three April Group 1 winners (from left): NZ Derby winner Storm Warning with Brendon Cole and daughter Ella; NZ Oaks winner Cosmic Odette and handler Johnathon McInerney; Wanganui Distance winner Tranquil Blossom with Paul Freeman and Kevin Brady
Group 2 racing featured during the huge April 13 Waikato hosted meeting which saw the Karen Walsh prepared Thrilling Flo scampering to her easy win in the Theresa McDonald Memorial Cup over 747m. She returned 43.20s for her win on a rain swept track. Shandell was gallant when finishing second for Arch Lawrence, while Goldstar Jagger was brave when he finished stoutly for his third for his Canterbury trainers Steve and Bonnie Evans.
Simple And Plain adopted the simple racing tactic of setting the pace which translated into 25.82s 457m victory in the Group 2 $15,000 Lois Henley Memorial Trophy. It was deserved win for the family training group headed by Ben Craik. Lawrence produced Olivia to claim the runners-up prize, while Beltom, from the Denis Schofield kennels, pressed on stoutly for her third.
The potent one turn track specialist American Warrior landed another Cambridge 457m feature race win for his conditioners Dave and Jean Fahey. He extended powerfully during the run home to annex the $5,000 Jack Hannon Memorial Cup, clocking 25.60s. He led home the Lisa Cole prepared Bigtime Jason by a three-length margin, who in turn was 1.5 lengths in front of the Schofield trained Blazing Spirit.
The NZ Derby night feature support race winners were from left: Karen Walsh and handler Sophie Whittaker after Thrilling Flo’s Theresa McDonald Memorial Cup win (heavy rain prevented the presentation being made at the podium); Simple And Plain with her Lois Henley Memorial trophy; American Warrior with co-trainer Dave Fahey holding the Jack Hannon Memorial Cup
It was Timma Turtle who prevailed in the $6,000 Easter Cup over 527m for Lisa Cole when landing his deserved 30.70s win at the Manukau Stadium on Easter Saturday. He was chased home, three-quarters of a length behind by the Wayne and Tracey Steele prepared Kava Blu, while another half a length astern for Lochinvar Brogue for Denis Schofield.
Drawing the ace-trap for the April 18 running of the $6,000 Dunedin Cup at Forbury Park was all that the Ray Adcock mentored Can’t Catch Tim required to deliver his strong 545m win. He exploded clear when cruising to effortless 32.40s feature win, leaving Know Hassle from the Gary Cleeve kennels to chase him home 1.25 lengths behind. The consistent Roy Hamilton prepared southern greyhound Southern Lights pressed on stoutly just a further three-quarters of length back for his third placing. “Tim loves it there and also the one trap. He stuck to the rail all the way and that was the winning of the race for him,” advised Adcock
A significant training milestone for the season was brought up at the Manukau Stadium during the last Sunday of the month. It occurred when Bigtime Flyer streamed to his victory in the $7,000 NZRS Novice final. In winning the 527m event for the Kiwi-bred youngsters this son of Fabregas and Eruza crashed through the million dollar stakes earning barrier for the Lisa Cole kennels.
“It is very satisfying to accomplish the target (million dollars). It certainly couldn’t have been achieved without the dedicated input from our family members, plus the valued work from our staff. We also appreciate the support of the loyal group of owners we have,” said the trainer’s husband Brendon. The previous week had seen the kennel training their 500th winner for the 2016/17 season.
Bigtime Flyer completed his feature 527m assignment in 30.73s when he led home the Carolyn Hore trained Princess Alea by a 2.5 length margin. Bigtime Sophie flew home late from an earlier rear position to nail her third placing for Dave and Jean Fahey a further five lengths adrift.
Auckland Easter Cup winner Timma Turtle with handler Gary Fredrickson; Dunedin Cup winner with trainer Ray Adcock and handler Graham Tapiki (pic Luana Robbie); Bigtime Flyer seen here after his Manukau NZRS Novice win which brought up a million dollars in kennel stake earnings for the Lisa Cole kennels during the current season.
Anzac Day saw racing being held on Ascot Park, which saw two track records being lowered. First up it was the marvellously consistent John McInerney prepared sprinter Wheelchair Norm who slipped through his 390m sprint in 22.08s to set new track figures. Earlier in the month, Wheelchair Norm brought up a career milestone when he pushed his career stake earnings through to $100,000 stakes barrier. He was unbeaten during April (which he has since extended to his May races) and he was a key contributor to the “team” McInerney training operation bringing up their 400th training success for the season during the month.
Min Ho stepped away smartly from the ace trap and he was never headed when he delivered his freewheeling 457m gallop which saw him claiming the Ascot Park 457m track record when stopping the clock in a swift 25.65s for his trainers Dave and Jean Fahey, along with owner and breeder Mark Lin.
Wheelchair Norm seen here delivering his new 22.08s Ascot Park 390m track record, which was quickly followed Min Ho who set fresh 457m figures when he returned 25.65s (pics Dave Robbie)
By Peter Fenemor
