If ever a greyhound deserved to win a feature race, it had to be Puma Pants. He finally achieved a feature race victory when he stylishly prevailed by the barest possible margin in Thursday’s Christchurch hosted $8,000 NZRS Sprint final over the 295m dash.
Pic: Puma Pants (red) nailing his nose NZRS Sprint win on Thursday (pic Dave Robbie)
Puma Pants has been an ultra-consistent John McInerney trained sprinter for a long time – actually since July 2014. He is a renowned quick starter and using that healthy tactic has seen this son of Fanta Claws and Tess Tokaam frequently returning to stand on top of the post-race podium.
Drawing the ace trap for this Kiwi bred-only sprint brought Puma Pants right into serious contention and he was supported accordingly. He stepped smartly when the Addington 295m traps lifted, leading his rivals out. There was an early sensation when the warm race favourite Rosa Tee, who was easily the quickest of the previous week’s five heat winners, completely bombed the race start.
Pushing up quickly onto that early pace was the other favoured contender Sopoaga. This Ashely Bradshaw trained son of Lochinvar Marlow and Assert wrestled the race lead away from Puma Pants when heading into and rounding the turn. Meanwhile, Rosa Tee was quickly darting along the rail with the daughter of Fabregas and Mini’s Fantasy swiftly making up the territory the Ray Adcock prepared sprinter had earlier lost.
Hugging the rail when rounding that bend turned out to be the key difference between success and failure in terms of winning this sprint. Puma Pants was practically scraping paint along the rail when he straightened up for the run to judge Peter Rosanowski.
He railed strongly underneath Sopoaga to level and the pair then slugged it out paw to paw which ultimately saw Puma Pants snatching the decision by the barest possible margin over a very gallant Sopoaga, clocking 17.40s. Rosa Tee maintained her sprint to claim third another 2.5 lengths behind.
Race day handler Mick Kennedy with Puma Pants following his NZRS Sprint victory; it was a crowded post race Addington podium after the running of Thursday’s NZRS Sprint final - pics supplied by Dave Robbie - drobbie@ihug.co.nz – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos
For Puma Pants, who is known as Arthur around the kennels, it was a thoroughly deserved win. His clashes throughout the season with his sharp kennelmate Wheelchair Norm has reached legendary status with the pair forming the race quinella on numerous occasions.
Thursday’s victory was Puma Pants 33rd for his owner Kerry O’Connor who wasn’t on course as she was taking greyhounds north to the Palmerston North team McInerney based kennels. Arthur has placed on a further 57 times, which sees his career stake earnings now sitting at $71,245 from his 165 race day outings. The win also provided John McInerney with the Breeders’ bonus portion of the stake with him being the breeder of Puma Pants.
It was during the 2015 New Zealand Cup meeting (which Puma Pants won at) when plans for Arthur’s retirement was formalised. Trackside Radio and TV presenter Jess Smith arranged for after race life on a couch as a pet for Arthur with O’Connor. That couch is still waiting and judging by the four-year-old’s solid current form it will be a while before that vacancy on the couch is finally occupied.
Puma Pants following his 2015 NZ Cup night Mac Developments feature 295m sprint win, seen here with Jess Smith, handler Mick Kennedy, owner Kerry O’Connor; Puma Pants parents Fanta Claws and Tess Tokaam
By Peter Fenemor
