If the trend from last week’s five 295m NZRS Sprint heats is followed for Thursday’s $8,000 final, then the first Kiwi bred sprinter to be sighted from the Addington 295 traps will be the first home. That was exactly what happen in all five of those heats.
Pic: Rosa Tee delivering her quick 17.18s NZRS Sprint heat win (pic Dave Robbie)
Rosa Tee set the pattern when she bounded away quickly from trap five which saw this daughter from the smart Fabregas and Mini’s Fantasy litter cruise clear from her rivals to score by a 6.75 length margin and in doing so returned the meeting best 295m time when clocking 17.18s for her conditioner Ray Adcock. She is likely to adopt similar tactics from the three trap on Thursday. Check out her heat win here – (Addington May 4, race 2)
Ashley Bradshaw produced her proven Addington 295m sprinter Sopoaga to dictate the pace throughout when this son of Lochinvar Marlow and Assert landed his heat win in 17.39s. He is required to hop away from the tricky five trap for the decider.
The remaining three heats were taken out by John McInerney trained sprinters, who had originally qualified four finalists, however, his 17.47s heat winner Botany Cold (El Grand Senor – Kazz Razz) won’t be taking his place in the eight trap.
Speedy Blueblood is in a real solid current patch of winning form. This son of Knocka Norris and No Undies Sunday was a stylish pace making 17.42s heat winner. He then lined up at Forbury Park on Tuesday afternoon where he skipped through his C3/4 319m dash in 18.44s. He is seeking to make it four wins in a row after jumping from the two trap in this final.
Nippaofsambucca was brave when this daughter of Paw Licking, out of the former sharp sprinter Nippa Mary (41 race wins when trained by McInerney), scooted through her heat assignment in 17.40s. She also went onto Forbury Park on Tuesday afternoon where she endured a luckless 310m sprint when she finishing fourth. She must hop away smartly from trap six here.
The NZRS Sprint heat winners (from left): Sopoaga, Speedy Blueblood, Nippaofsambucca - pics supplied by Dave Robbie - drobbie@ihug.co.nz – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos
The remaining contender from the McInerney kennels is the evergreen sprinter Puma Pants. His heat contained merit when he gamely chased home Sopoaga when winding up a length and a half behind him. This son of Fanta Claws and Tess Tokaam then resumed his frequent paw wrestle with his sharp kennelmate Wheelchair Norm in Dunedin on Tuesday. He led out, then he chased home Norm for his second placing to him, which has been a frequent occurrence for him. Drawing the ace trap for his 165th career assignment brings this bloke right into contention.
Backchat Harry is the second Bradshaw trained finalist after this son of Magic Sprite and Emerge chased home Nippaofsambucca for his length second. He is also a proven Addington sprinter as seen by his 17.05 best winning 295m time. He will be wearing the black racing vest on Thursday.
Ohoka Billy slipped into the slipstream of Botany Cold in his heat which resulted in this Lisa Waretini trained son of Cosmic Rumble and Alisaray closing to within a half-length margin of him. He must quickly push forward onto the early pace after he jumps away from the four trap.
Wearing the green and white stripes from the eight trap vacated by Botany Cold will be the Tony Hart and Kristy Taylor prepared Technic. This litter brother to Ohoka Billy contested his heat from the eight trap which saw him pushing soundly around the outer to chase home Speedy Blueblood 1.75 lengths behind him.
The remaining reserve is the Bruce Dann prepared Miss Fanning who was bold in the manner that she chase home Rosa Tee 6.75 lengths astern of her. This daughter of Terra Keroma and Joni Hates Jazz can be sighted contesting the race 2 C4 295m sprint if she isn’t required here.
By Peter Fenemor
