Freezing conditions certainly didn’t prevent some hot Formpro Amazing Chase qualifying efforts at the Addington Raceway last week, which saw the Christchurch based 520m leaderboard undergoing changes to it.
Pictured: Shantui delivering his tidy 30.34s Addington 520m Amazing Chase qualifying time (Photo by Dave Robbie)
Tom Tee ($3 – TAB Futures – option 986) remains firmly entrenched on top of the Addington table with his smart 29.99s time for his conditioner Ray Adcock. It was the placings behind him that saw positions changing. His kennelmate Epic Dream ($61) went for her first qualifying time when contesting the open class 520m event on Thursday evening. She led throughout from the ace trap to record a 30.71s time, which rewarded her with the second position on the board.
Roll onto the following day where keen interest surrounded the Dave and Jean Fahey prepared Shantui ($3.50) who was booked in for a solo 520m trial following the last Addington Friday race. He had been solidly backed on the Futures market having crashed in from his opening $12 quote. Sluggish lower grade 520m times during the race meeting hinted that he would have to deliver something special to make his presence felt on the leaderboard.
Special, he sure did. Shantui stylishly slipped through his trial to clock an impressive 30.34s, therefore relegating Epic Dream back into the Addington ballot position for Amazing Chase final field selection.
The Hatrick 520m leaderboard remained the same throughout the week with Cawbourne Trixy ($14) remaining on top with her smart 29.77s solo trial for Matt Roberts. Lisa Cole trained chasers stayed in their positions with Bigtime Paddy ($14) in second with his 29.77s clock. Bigtime Bell ($51) didn’t improve on her registered 30.24s time during her Friday 520m assignment and she still sits in the ballot possie from this venue.
The was no change to the northern leaderboard despite a number of nominated greyhounds racing, plus a 527m solo trial at Manukau on Sunday afternoon. The Karen Walsh trained Ridin’ Shotgun ($4.50) retains the pole position at the northern headquarters with his smart 30.22s clock. Lochinvar Brogue for Denis Schofield holds down second, while the Ben Craik prepared Westworld sits in third place. Bigtime Welldone occupies the final field second reserve position for Lisa Cole.
Epic Dream seen here delivering her 30.71s Thursday Addington 520m Amazing Chase qualifying time (Photo by Dave Robbie); Ridin’ Shotgun retains the Manukau 527m leaderboard position; The Formpro Amazing Chase hoarding at the finish line is in place at the Manukau Stadium
THE WEEK AHEAD
We have now commenced the last week for greyhounds to post a leading time at all three venues with the Formpro Amazing Chase qualifying period wrapping up at Sunday’s Manukau meeting.
The qualifying action continues at the Addington Raceway on Thursday afternoon. Nominated greyhounds featuring during the meeting includes Shantui (race 2), Epic Dream (race 10) and Tom Tee (race 10). There are two possible opportunities for other nominated greyhounds to trial over 520m on either Thursday or Friday at Addington.
There was breaking news on Tuesday that dramatically changed the Addington leaderboard. Ray Adcock officially withdrew the second placed Epic Dream from the Amazing Chase, along with two others of his nominated greyhounds, Harry Fields and Eagle Tee. That now places the Dave and Jean trained Translator in third place, which is the current Addington final field ballot position.
Hatrick on Friday evening sees four eligible greyhounds looking to improve on their Amazing Chase qualifying times. They are Bigtime Vanessa (race 5), Spare Some Time (race 10), Bigtime Paddy (race 10) and Bigtime Power (race 10). Additional Hatrick qualifying opportunities for other nominated greyhounds could be attempted at the Hatrick Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday meetings.
The very final opportunity to record a qualifying time will be at Manukau on Sunday. Greyhounds who will be attempting to do so via races include Westworld, Beltom and Lochinvar Brogue, who will all contest race 10, while Yap’s Me Mum will jump from trap one in race 12.
There is a strong possibility that solo 527m trialing is likely to be sighted on Sunday. It has been indicated that Karen Walsh may be trialing Thrilling Flo and Thrilling Raider. Also likely to have a final crack at qualifying, is Beautiful Boy for Ben Craik. Lisa Cole is also likely to present greyhounds to trial on Sunday.
At the conclusion of any attempted times either race or trial on Sunday a ballot will be held between the third placed Hatrick and Addington time holders under RIU supervision. The ballot winner will earn a final field position, while the loser will become the first reserve for the July 30 final. The second reserve will be the holder of the fourth fastest Manukau 527m time.
The all important draw for the final match ups, meaning which pair of greyhounds will go paw to paw against each other, plus the match race order, will be conducted live on Monday’s Dogzone program at approximately 12.30pm. Again the Amazing Chase match draws will be held under RIU supervision.
Formpro Amazing Chase nominated greyhounds who hold racing engagements during the week ahead include (from left): Tom Tee (Addington), Bigtime Power (Hatrick); Westworld (Manukau)
By Peter Fenemor
