A statement was strongly made by both heat winners in Friday’s Wanganui Distance heats over the extreme 755m journey. Those heat results now sets up an intriguing looking paw wrestle over the demanding Hatrick 755m distance next Friday when the $27,465 Wanganui Distance will be decided at Group 1 level.

Pictured: The quickest Wanganui Distance heat winner Ring The Bell

First up we saw the in inform stayer Dusty Gambler throw down the gauntlet to his heat rivals. He was powerful when completing his task in 45.07s. Strongly responding to that challenge was the potent stayer Ring The Bell who cruised through his heat assignment in a tidy 44.81s.

First up it was the Peter Henley prepared Very Choosy who set up the pace in the first heat. He was stalked down the back straight by Dusty Gambler for Karen Walsh. Sitting in behind them was a trio of Dave and Jean Fahey mentored stayers Little Bit Funny, Peekay Shout and Vicki Keeping.

Dusty Gambler asserted his authority when heading into the final turn from where he slipped clear to land his heat win by a 3.25 length margin. It was evident that Very Choosy was struggling at that point he dropped right away with suspected cramping issues over the later stages.

Unwinding stylishly to claim the second placing was Little Bit Funny and she held a 2.75 length buffer over the strong finishing Vicki Keeping. Peekay Shout booked the remaining final field position available in this heat when winding up another 1.25 lengths astern. Bigtime Lonestar will occupy the second possie on the reserves bench for Gary and Sandra Fredrickson after her fifth place finish in this heat.
 

First heat Wanganui Distance qualifiers included (from left): Dusty Gambler; Little Bit Funny; Peekay Shout
 

There was keen anticipation surrounding the second heat. The brilliant recent Addington 645m track equaling Avenger Bale from the Craig Roberts kennels was taking on the hardened, proven Ray Adcock prepared stayer Ring The Bell.

As expected it was Avenger Bale who pinged straight into the race lead. Keeping loose cover on him was Ring The Bell, while the previous week’s NZRS Distance 755m winner Nitehawk Rose was racing alongside Ring The Bell for her conditioner Bill Hodgson. Translator from the Fahey kennels, plus Cristiane Cyborg for Hayley Mullane was tucked just in behind them.

It all changed when the field charged towards the final turn. Avenger Bale, although still leading was starting to struggle. Cristiane Cyborg had improved her field position to be with Nitehawk Rose while the canny Ring The Bell was in cruise control holding the rail.

They swung in for the run home and Ring The Bell pounced, quickly establishing his authority to scamper clear for his easy 44.81s heat win. Nighthawk Rose extended nicely to chase him home 3.25 lengths behind him, while it was Translator who put in some big bounds to be only a quarter length further back. Cristiane Cyborg kept up her gallop to claim fourth another 1.25 lengths back. It will be the Lisa Cole trained Bigtime Welldone who will be the first reserve as she got past a tiring Avenger Bale late to claim fifth.
 

First heat Wanganui Distance qualifiers included (from left): Nitehawk Rose; Translator; Cristiane Cyborg
 

By Peter Fenemor