NZ Racing Series events are all about rewarding the breeders of local greyhounds. The Hatrick race nine podium on Friday evening was occupied by Kiwi-bred greyhounds that were all provided from the ‘Bigtime’ Palmerston North-based kennels.

Pictured: Allegro Gun who stylishly won Friday’s Hatrick hosted NZRS Advanced final

The entire field, which was loaded away into the Hatrick 520m traps for Friday’s $11,000 NZRS Advanced final, was provided from the Lisa Cole kennels (she also had both reserves). The kennel greatly acknowledged the assistance they received after dishing out 16 sets of collars and leads for the event.

Allegro Gun was installed as the race favourite despite drawing poorly in the five trap. That factor certainly didn’t faze him as he stepped away from there quickly to undertake the pace making duties. It was tactic that carried this talented son of Spring Allegro and Hifi Allegro to a bold 30.41s victory.

Bigtime Jason also used his known early pace which saw him matching paws with Allegro Gun on his outer when going into the first turn. He then gamely led the chase after the freewheeling pacemaker, which resulted in this son of Cosmic Rumble and Darlyne Ottey claiming the second placing when arriving home 1.25 lengths behind his kennel mate.

The racing tactics that Bigtime Bell used were completely opposite to the first pair. She settled in the rear division from where this daughter of Blue Lorian and Lost In Light gradually improved her field position. She launched her known strong finish when rounding the final turn, which carried her into third, another 1.5 lengths behind.

The victory for Allegro Gun was a continuation of the outstanding season he has enjoyed. It is entirely appropriate that he prevailed in this event being restricted to Kiwi bred greyhounds as he has built an unassailable points lead for the 2016/17 NZ Bred Greyhound of the Year title.

The versatile Allegro Gun has now raced on 56 occasions, winning 27 of those assignments. After adding in a further 20 minor placings, he sees his career stake earnings now sitting at $68,358 (excluding breeder’s bonus payments) for his owners Cyril and Robyn Evans.

  
It has been a fantastic season for the Lisa Cole prepared Allegro Gun. Aside from Friday’s NZRS Advanced final he won the Group 2 North Island Challenge Stakes and was the runner up in the NZ Breeders’ Stakes final at Group 1 level. Hifi Allegro (right) is rightfully a very proud mum.

By Peter Fenemor