It’s pretty tough to win Group 1 races over 520m when giving the bulk of your rivals a start, especially when a proven Group race performer is out in front controlling the pace. Ride Ain’t Over was tough – real tough when finishing strongly from the rear group to secure his victory in the $27,465 Wanganui Cup on Friday evening.
Pictured: Ride Ain’t Over following his Wanganui Cup win at Group 1 level
Ride Ain’t Over produced a massive effort when delivering his prior 520m heat second to Allegro Gun. Prerace Wanganui Cup discussion suggested that Ride Ain’t Over would be reliant on early racing luck if the Craig Roberts trained chaser was going to be involved at the sharp end of the stakes pay out owing to his normal slow exit from the traps.
Yes, he was again slowly away and he was joint last when heading into the all important first turn. As expected it was the Lisa Cole prepared Allegro Gun who had seized the race lead at that point and he slipped clear of opponents to build a comfortable lead.
The other pair of heat winners Cawbourne Mezza and Spring Allegro had positioned themselves in handy early positions, while the youngster of the field Bigtime Paddy was in close attendance.
Racing down the back Allegro Gun was in cruise mode while back in the field Ride Ain’t Over was in clear racing air, seen improving his field position. He maintained that improvement so such an extent that when the back mark was reached he certainly looked to be a serious winning prospect.
Ride Ain’t Over swept on past Allegro Gun early in the run home and he bounded clear to secure his Wanganui Cup win in an okay 30.10s, which was a respectable time when taking into account the chilly conditions that the race was run in.
Kicking on stoutly for his second placing, 2.25 lengths behind was the ever consistent Allegro Gun. The placing ensured that this son of Spring Gun and Hifi Allegro secured the $1,000 Breeders’ bonus payment for being the first New Zealand bred greyhound to finish in the Group 1 event. It was a continuation of the solid late season form that Allegro Gun was in.
Kennelmate Bigtime Paddy confirmed his potential when he gamely stuck to his task when finishing third just half a length further behind, while also holding out the Dave and Jean Fahey prepared current Auckland Cup title holder He’s All Power by a further 2.5 lengths.
A happy looking Wanganui Cup podium with Norm Wanhalla (left), handler Chris Milne and Bobby Blackburn; Wanhalla being interviewed by Trackside TV presenter Elizabeth Whelan; Brendon Cole is with runner up Allegro Gun, while Ashly Howe handled third placed Bigtime Paddy
Roberts was over in Fiji sunning himself with his partner Angela Washington when the Wanganui Cup was decided, leaving the training duties to his son Dan and his long time “transport manager” Bobby Blackburn, who for example had made the trip up to the River City before returning on Friday after having raced Roberts trained greyhounds at Tuesday’s Invercargill meeting in between.
“You can call this a team effort – I only dive them (greyhounds) around,” confirmed Blackburn. “When I saw Ride Ain’t Over going down the back straight I was confident, thinking it was all over. Yes, I was stoked for the greyhound with him winning a Group 1 race,” said Blackburn.
It was a thoroughly deserves maiden Group 1 victory for owner Norm Wanhalla and his racing partner Kevin Krammer. “Craig got me involved in Ride Ain’t Over and we planned (set him for) this race for him. It worked out really well. I’m really happy for my family who are right behind in racing greyhounds. I’m glad for the dog himself – he’s placid fella and he thoroughly deserved this win.
“The New Zealand Cup is the main aim for him now, while Craig and myself will sit down and talk about maybe racing him in the Waterloo Cup,” said Wanhalla who was introduced to greyhound racing by Roberts who was buying chicken necks from his company. “Craig suggested I get involved in a greyhound with him and I eventually did six or so months later with Jackson Jewel being the first I dog raced from his kennels,” recalled Wanhalla.
“I was racing Berridale Lad when he was put out for a year, so I took him home as a pet for my family. He was looking in great shape so I started working him and after his year on the outer was up I put him back into racing – he made me take up training,” he advised. It was a hugely successful return to racing for Berridale Lad who went onto run third in the New Zealand Cup and the Hatrick Classic, both at Group 1 level.
Ride Ain’t Over completed a notable litter double with his Group 1 victory, as just two weeks ago his brother Shantui was the winner of the inaugural running of the $30,500 Amazing Chase match race series. Ride Ain’t Over also has a couple of handy looking other brothers in Vicarious and Resident Djay also racing from the Roberts kennels.
Norm Wanhalla with Berridale Lad after his NZ Cup third placing; Amazing Chase winner Shantui, along with Vicarious who are litter brothers to Wanganui Cup winner Ride Ain’t Over
By Peter Fenemor
