It appears that the ride is only just starting for Thursday’s powerful $15,000 Active Electrical Christchurch NZ Leger winner Ride Ain’t Over
Pic: Ride Ain’t Over delivering his strong NZ St Leger win (pic Dave Robbie)
It appears that the ride is only just starting for Thursday’s powerful $15,000 Active Electrical Christchurch NZ Leger winner Ride Ain’t Over.
The Craig Roberts mentored greyhound easily disposed of his rivals during the run home when he annexed his Group 2 Addington 520m victory on Thursday evening.
It looked like it was going to be a tough ride for the Australian bred chaser when he was sighted in the rear division when the field was released from the traps. He then got himself into a midfield position when rounding the first turn.
Leading the field at that point was the recent John McInerney prepared NZ Oaks winner Cosmic Odette. She was tracked into the first turn by the first of the six Dave and Jean Fahey finalists Melan. Kennelmate Albie Punter had slotted herself into her preferred rails position when getting herself handy to the pace, with another Fahey contender He’s All Power just in behind them.
Albie Punter railed underneath Cosmic Odette when racing down the back straight to take control of the pace. Looming ominously up towards the pace wider out on the track was the green racing vest being carried by Ride Ain’t Over, who is a son of Djays Octane and Witch’s Potion.
Albie Punter was the first chaser to turn into the home straight, however she was being stalked by Ride Ain’t Over, who quickly took charge of the event to punch home strongly to claim his first Black type race win by a 1.75 length margin, clocking 30.16s.
Albie Punter was gallant in easily holding down second which saw this daughter of Fabregas and Opawa Peekay claiming the NZ Breeders bonus payment which is awarded to the first Kiwi bred greyhound to finish in a Group race final.
She held a 3.5 length margin over the strong finishing He’s All Power who cut out his kennelmate Melan from a podium position by half a length.
Ride Ain’t Over was sourced by Roberts for kennel clients Norm Wanhalla and Kevin Krammer from Paul Westerveld in Melbourne, who amongst others, stands the proven sire Fabregas at stud. Roberts also has two littermates to his new Group race winner with Vicarious and Resident Djay both being in his kennels.
“I thought he was going need a fair bit of luck rounding the first turn after he was slow from the traps. He prefers a bit of racing space and when the field fanned out a bit going into the back (straight), I thought he’s a chance here when he got himself into fourth.
“I was momentarily worried when he propped on the home turn, but he then got clear racing air and I knew then it was his race. I’m really rapt for his owners, especially for Norm who has had a heavy ownership involvement which he has stuck to for a long time despite having his fair share of bad luck along the way.
“This is Norm’s first Group race win. As an owner he has supported both locally bred dogs, along with imported dogs. Norm treats his racing interests as a family affair,” advised Roberts, who now looking forward to his charge’s next Group race assignment.
Ride Ain’t Over, along with his litter and kennelmate Resident Djay, will trek north to the Manawatu Raceway where they both will contest Monday’s 457m heats for the North Island Challenge Stakes. “Ride Ain’t Over has won both of his 457m races up there, so I’m looking forward to him being back up there on Monday. Yes, he has pulled up good and he is as happy as Larry this morning,” confirmed Roberts on Friday morning.
It was a crowded post race Active Electrical Christchurch NZ Leger podium with a large number of Norm Wanhalla’s family in attendance - Pics supplied by Dave Robbie
