Opawa Timo and Cosmic Odette are the first two greyhounds to benefit from the Christchurch GRC’s newly instigated feature of introducing preludes as a qualifying path to the $100,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup semi-finals.

Pictured: Opawa Timo seen here leading home Cosmic Odette in Thursday’s Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup Prelude (pic Dave Robbie)

The first two greyhounds to finish in each of the four NZ Cup preludes go directly forward to the NZ Cup semi-finals scheduled for November 8. They are exempted from having to contest the November 2 round of heats.

The old saying “box speed is gold” certainly applied in Thursday evening’s 520m prelude at the Addington Raceway. Cosmic Odette is known for her sharp early pace and it was that asset that the John McInerney trained current New Zealand Oaks title holder effectively used from trap three to lead the field from the 520m traps.

Pushing forward along the rail from the one trap was Opawa Timo for Dave and Jean Fahey. That was also a wise tactic for him to use as the balance of the field was severely disorganised when a spectacular melee occurred as the other six chasers raced towards the first turn. All of the other runners were impeded to varying degrees with Watta Gun falling. All six greyhounds were cleared of injury following vet checks afterwards with no stand downs being imposed from the incident.

Meanwhile it was the freewheeling Cosmic Odette who led the field down the back straight and into the home turn with Opawa Timo steadily closing in on her. He mastered the pacemaker during the run home to claim the prelude win by a half-length margin, clocking 30.45s for his 520m gallop.

 
Handler Mark Lin is joined by Graham Campbell from the owing Opawa Racing team with their Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup Prelude winner Opawa Timo; Johnathon McInerney brought the Victorian owned Cosmic Odette back to the podium - pics supplied by Dave Robbie - drobbie@ihug.co.nz – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos

Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup preludes continues over the weekend with Wanganui hosting theirs at Hatrick this evening (race 9), while the Auckland club will stage their prelude at Manukau on Sunday afternoon (race 11). The fourth and final prelude is back at the Addington Raceway next Thursday evening (race 9).

By Peter Fenemor