There was a sensation shortly after Friday’s field for the $7,340 NZRS Novice final was released from the Addington 520m traps. Early squeezing from the wider traps saw one of the favoured runners stumbling, then falling.
Pictured: Trevor Gibbs delivering his NZRS Novice win (photo Dave Robbie)
Junk Mail was the quickest of the eight heat winners however his race was all over as he was tightened between the eight and nine (from trap six) runners, stumbled, went down on his nose and fell. You can confidently expect this son of Barcia Bale and Jinja Power to quickly bounce back when he is next presented for his trainer Robin Wales. '
Meanwhile, seizing the initiative, heading into the first turn was the Dave and Jean Fahey prepared Trevor Gibbs. He speared around the first turn and, basically, this son of Collision and Spirit Of Grace cleared away from his rivals.
He was never going to be caught as seen when he cruised home for an easy 4.5 length feature victory, clocking 30.74s. The win also meant his breeder Heather Cairns benefited from fifty percent of the winning stake being her half portion for breeding Trevor Gibbs.
The other fifty percent obviously heads toward his owing It’s Not Okay syndicate, who has won $9,052 from him as a result of his four wins and three minor placings from his nine career races. Trevor Gibb’s first win came in the long established Garrard’s Horse & Hound Canterbury OTB Maiden.
The race for the minor placings saw two outstanding efforts being delivered. Opawa Rooster started as the race favourite for the Fahey’s. He jumped from the eight trap, while the Wales prepared reserve Opawa Silver exited from six. We mentioned above what occurred during the early rush for positions.
Both greyhounds were relegated back to the rear group after that early incident. Undeterred Opawa Rooster knuckled down to his task, which saw this son of Fabregas and Token Kay charging around the outer making up huge volumes of lost real estate. That momentum carried him into the runner up possie, quite a remarkable performance. Opawa Silver was also brave and the manner that she extended nicely carried this daughter of Velocette and Miss Idol into third another length behind.
The full Christchurch hosted post race NZRS Novice podium with Trevor Gibbs being flanked by Opawa Rooster and Opawa Sliver; trainers Dave and Jean Fahey with their NZRS Novice quinella, along with Jean holding Delia Tregurtha, Sarah Fahey, Anthony Tregurtha and Halle Tregurtha (photos supplied by Dave Robbie - drobbie@ihug.co.nz – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos)
By Peter Fenemor
