Me Jane had to be tough – real tough to nail her pace-making Farmlands Hatupu Waikato Classic victory at the Cambridge Raceway last Friday evening. The $20,825 Group 2 457m event turned into a real torrid finish which ultimately required four greyhounds to attend the post race podium.
Pictured: Me Jane following her Farmlands Hatupu Waikato Classic win
It took until her 30th race day outing for Me Jane to secure her first career trap one draw. The Lisa Cole prepared chaser made no mistake from the desired draw by hopping straight onto the pace. She defied her rivals to run her down – they couldn’t, despite three of them charging at her late.
Me Jane seized the early race lead, with kennel mate Bigtime Paddy dropping straight down onto the rail (from trap three). Pushing up onto the early pace from the seven trap was the Ben Craik prepared Beautiful Boy. Race favourite Allen Ablett found himself tangled up in early traffic after exiting from trap five for his conditioner Craig Roberts.
Me Jane moved away from the rail when completing the big, sweeping turn and in doing so she presented a saloon inside racing passage to Bigtime Paddy. Momentarily it looked like the hardened Melbourne campaigner was going to seize on the opportunity presented to him, however Me Jane bravely repelled that challenge.
She kicked strongly to the line, which saw judge Phil Wells confirming her victory by a length margin, crediting her with a 25.50s winning time. Allen Ablett fairly flew home late which saw him nailing the runners up prize. Just a head further behind Wells couldn’t separate Bigtime Paddy and a real gallant Beautiful Boy when declaring a dead heat for third between the pair.
The dead heat for third ensured that the Breeders’ bonus payment for the first Kiwi bred greyhounds to finish in the Group 2 event was shared between Bigtime Paddy (Kilty Lad – Romburg Lass) and Beautiful Boy (El Grand Senor – Just Jordana).
The Farmlands Hatupu Waikato Classic minor place getters (from left): Allen Ablett and the dead heating third place getters Bigtime Paddy; Beautiful Boy
By Peter Fenemor
