“I was so thrilled to see before the race the great old dog being handled by the great old trainer….both still doing what they love and having the maximum fun possible,” wrote Victorian trainer Gerry O’Keeffe
The Bell was Ringing loudly at Addington
O’Keeffe had prepared the star Australian stayer for his decisive victory in the Plasterboard Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar. The following day he handed over Disco’s (kennel name) collar and lead to the master New Zealand greyhound mentor Ray Adcock.
It was a smooth transition by Ring The Bell into the Adcock kennels as seen when Ring The Bell professionally handled his Addington track debut when winning his 732m heat in 43.55s by a 7.25 length margin.
Roll onto Friday evening where Ring The Bell slotted away into the two trap. It was game, set and match as soon as the 732m traps lifted when Ring The Bell stepped straight into the race lead. Adding initial interest was Shandell from the one and Tranquil Blossom from trap three tucking in right behind Disco. Race on?
No, it wasn’t because Ring The Bell spread-eagled the field of stayers. The current Australian National Distance title holder was ruthless in the manner he crushed his rivals. He maintained a decent margin throughout which saw him cruising to his second Kiwi Group 1 staying title, claiming the victory by an impressive 11.25 length margin. He returned an outstanding 43.18s time for his assignment.
It was an intense paw wrestle for the minor placings. Shandell was brave in leading the chase after Ring The Bell, then she engaged in a paw to paw battle with Tranquil Blossom going down the back straight and around the final bend.
Tranquil Blossom eased clear during the run home resulting in the Angela Turnwald prepared stayer claiming the runner up prize. Know Jinx for Gary Cleeve has settled back in the field during the early rush after being jostled. She steadily improved her field position from where she rattled home late to cut out a gallant Shandell from the third placing.
In doing so Know Jinx, who was 1.25 lengths astern of Tranquil Blossom, secured the New Zealand breeders bonus payment attached to the Group 1 event for Cleeve who along with his partner Gaylene Turnwald bred this daughter of Yella Mustard and Know Which.
We have to acknowledge the gutsy effort put in by Shandell who was a neck further back in fourth, the same placing she occupied in last year’s edition after having won the NZ Stayers Cup in 2015. Fog has been playing havoc at northern airports over the last month or so. Arch and Gloria Lawrence was flying south again with Shandell, however with Hamilton Airport fogged in, they had to take a bus trip (with Shandell in the luggage compartment) up to Auckland Airport where jet services was operating. Shandell eventually left Auckland on a 3pm flight – hardly an ideal prerace preparation going into a Group 1 732m staying event.
Christchurch Casino NZ Stayers Cup winner Ring The Bell with Ray Adcock and handler Jordan Bryce; Barry Freeman and co-owner Adam Jenkins with runner up Tranquil Blossom; third placed Know Jinx and Garry Cleeve
Anyway, back to the emphatic race winner Ring The Bell and his rising 83 year old conditioner. “He’s a fair dinkum genuine stayer, but also a very laid back dog with it. They had a hell of a job getting him off the lure. He ran away from them from the 645m boxes – he was simply too strong,” stated Adcock, who then chuckled, “It’s a pity I didn’t get Disco as a two year old!”
When asked about his immediate racing plans for Ring The Bell, his trainer responded with, “I’ll look at giving him some 520m races until more staying races come along. If he keeps on jumping like that he can lead them a merry dance (over 520m).”(Take a look at the Addington race 4, C3 520m field for this Thursday!)
Again we’ll leave the last words to Gerry O’Keeffe about the winner of all four of his New Zealand races which has won his owing Four Frothys Syndicate $65,748. “What a fantastic effort, once he went to the race lead, watching him gallop so strongly was a total pleasure…..no thoughts of him not running out 732m strongly. Please ask Ray his secret to getting Disco to begin so well!
“The run on lure has totally reinvigorated Ring The Bell….his zest for racing is now certainly better in New Zealand than it was when he left Australia. I do admit to missing the old boy in our kennels here in Victoria, he is such a gentlemen.”
By Peter Fenemor
