Mention the Kingston name in greyhound racing and you immediately think of Canterbury greyhounds. The family has been actively involved in the code and in the region since the 1940’s - strongly shaping the way forward until the present day.
Pictured: Gordon Kingston with wife Maureen following Gordon’s 2013 induction into the New Zealand Greyhound Hall of Fame
The Christchurch Club annually conducts the Kingston Cup which recognizes the valued contribution the family has made to greyhound racing, not only regionally but also nationally. It is a traditionally early season event for the stayers over the 732m distance at Group 2 level.
Two heats on Thursday at the Addington Raceway will decide who will advance to the following Thursday’s $15,825m final. Here’s a look at those heats along with their respective TAB Futures Win (option 964) and Top Three (option 965) quotes.
Kingston Cup – Heat 1, Race 10 (7.33pm)
1) Velvet Girl $101 & $15: She’s a C0D graded distance stayer who has placed at one in three races over 645m. Strongly running out the longer 732m trip is the possible concern for her here.
2) Runway Bono $12 & $2.60: That was a stylish introduction to New Zealand staying racing when he led throughout for his 38.36s 645m win last Thursday. He is proven over the 700m plus trips across the Tasman.
3) Opawa Hope $101 & $15: She’s had four attempts over 732m and 770m race distances with three fourth placings being her best results. At least she is experienced over the extreme journeys.
4) Opawa Cheviot $41 & $6.50: She warmed up for this assignment when delivering her strong Forbury Park 32.47s 545m win on Tuesday. She was unplaced in her only 732m race, although she has won and run third in her two 770m races.
5) Box Vacant
6) Translator $12 & $2.60: She contested the recent Group 1 NZ Stayers Cup final here after finishing second behind Ring The Bell in her heat. Those efforts alone says she holds sound looking qualifying claims from this heat.
7) Goldstar Jagger $14 & $2.80: This 2016 Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar (779m) finalist has placed in three, including a NZ Stayers Cup third placing, of his six previous 732m races. He has also won over 770m and placed in 747m and 766m races.
8) Know Jinx $14 & $2.80: She really came of age as a genuine stayer over the later part of last season. That was evidenced by her Silver Collar and NZ Stayers Cup third placings at Group 1 level. She must be respected, although drawing this trap is the potential concern for this noted railer.
Kingston Cup Heat 1 contenders includes (from left): Runway Bono; Goldstar Jagger; Know Jinx
Kingston Cup – Heat 2, Race 11 (7.56pm)
1) Waimac $81 & $12: He won his NZ Stayers Cup heat here in 44.38s. He has displayed a strong preference for racing along the rail therefore he is nicely drawn to advance into the final owing to that.
2) Little Bit Funny $21 & $3.80: She really caught the eye in the strong manner she completed her 645m assignment last Thursday when winning in 38.60s. She adds a degree of intrigue here by being required to step up to 732m racing.
3) Opawa Racer $21 & $3.80: She has always appealed as a staying prospect and she adds interest here with her four staying outings having yielded two wins and two minor placings from her four attempts over 645m and 630m distances.
4) Ring The Bell ($1.25 & $1.01: What more can be said out this outstanding stayer? Nothing really after having emphatically won all seven of his New Zealand staying races – three of them being Group race finals. Enough said.
5) Box Vacant
6) Goldstar Avery $21 & $3.80: Her best effort over 732m came in the 2016 edition of the NZ Stayers Cup when in her heat she led Shandell for virtually the entire 732m trip, only succumbing to her during the run home. A repeat of that effort says she can qualify.
7) Know Worth $31 & $5: She is in solid current staying form while it must be remembered she easily won an $11,000 NZRS Distance final over 732m in 44.22s at this venue back in February. She also owns a further two minor 732m placings around here.
8) Take By Storm $101 & $15: Her three career staying races have been over the 645m trip in her last four race day outings, with a third placing being her best. She’s facing a much tougher task in this line up.
Kingston Cup Heat 2 contenders include (from left): Waimac; Ring The Bell; Know Worth
NZRS Graduation Heats
Three NZRS Graduation Heats (Races 7 – 9) over 520m will also be held during this meeting with their $8,000 final also being decided next Thursday. In the first heat, Know Cheers holds the draw advantage via the ace trap while Goldstar Marvely and David’s Legacy are delivering competitive current races. Opawa Plum was a real strong Forbury Park 545m winner on Tuesday, while Nozzno Fear has contested higher graded races in the past.
Despite facing a rise in class, Trumped will rightfully be all the rage to take out the second heat. The qualifying claims owned by Kay Bomb, Draxler, Botany Alan and Know Answer cannot be lightly dismissed.
Two races ago Albie Punter contested a C4/5 545m event, so her heat three assignment here represents a significant easing in class for this dual Group 1 finalist. The kennelmates Sadder Nation and Hard Questions are expected to produce competitive heat efforts. Goldstar Miley led throughout for her last start 645m win as did Avalanch City when he won over 545m on Tuesday.
NZRS Graduation Heat contenders includes (from left): Nozzno Fear (Heat 1); Botany Alan (Heat 2); Albie Punter (Heat 3) - pics supplied by Dave Robbie - drobbie@ihug.co.nz – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos
By Peter Fenemor
