It’s appears that Thursday’s $8,400 NZRS Sprint final at the Cambridge Raceway for the Kiwi-bred sprinters will develop into a regional two-kennel battle, although another pair of trainers can gate crash the party. Last week’s three 375m heats threw up some quick times at this venue last Thursday.
Pictured: The talented Allegro Gun scampered through his 375m NZRS Sprint assignment in a quick 20.92s, pictured here with his handler Georgie Cole
Lisa Cole brought her classy greyhound Allegro Gun north from her Palmerston North base for his first 375m sprint on the big, spacious track. This son of Spring Gun and Hifi Allegro returned south with a very smart 20.92s time listed against his name. He owns both strength and pace and using that asset is likely to see the green racing vest worn by this winner of $112,927 featuring at the business end of this dash.
Cole has also qualified a pair of half brothers, who also own both pace and strength. Bigtime Jason has been a competitive chaser for a long time and this son of Cosmic Rumble and Darlyne Ottey produced a solid one length second behind Just One Smile. He gamely chased after her throughout after stepping from the three trap – he’ll exit from that trap on Thursday.
Bigtime Doug contested the same heat which saw this son of Cosmic Rumble and Allegro Star finishing just a head behind his kennel mate. This bloke certainly won’t flinch at the business end here as he also owns known 457m form. He returns to the four trap for this assignment.
Northern conditioner Ben Craik will also be represented by three finalists, plus he also has the second reserve. He provided the winner of the other two heats. The sharp sprinter Just One Smile stylishly returned to winning form when she won her heat in 21.08s. This daughter of El Grand Senor and Just Jordana pinged away from the seven trap which is the same tactic she must employ from the same trap here.
Suspicious Minds has really come of age as a sprinter which he illustrated when he delivered his personal best 21.16s heat win. He has completed his charge through the lower grades, having just attained his open class sprinting stripes. This son of Black Enforcer and Just Jordana will be sighted with the pink racing vest on.
The two Ben Craik trained Waikato NZRS Sprint heat winners with Just One Smile pictured here with a couple of her owing Katcha Jordana syndicate members John Roberts and Selwyn Loader while handler Tracey Craik is seen here with Suspicious Minds and Roberts – pics Sarah, Waikato GRC
On Fleek was sound when he led the vain chase all, the way after the freewheeling Allegro Gun for his 7.75 length heat second. This son of Paddy Flyin’ and Harajuku Boy used the one trap in his heat – he hasn’t fared so well for the final as he’ll slot away into trap five for it.
Formation occupies the second possie on the reserves bench for the kennel which came when this son of Snicko and Fancy Milly returned the quickest of the heat fourth place times when winding up 5.3 lengths astern of Just One Smile.
Drawing the inside pair of traps are a pair of litter siblings from the Jared Udy and Denise Cottam kennels. Kiwi Boy led his heats rivals around the bend however in doing so this son of Kilty Lad and Kiwi Girl moved out into the middle of the track, which allowed Suspicious Mind to slipped through underneath him. He kicked on soundly when winding up a 4.5 length second. He remains in the ace trap for this decider.
His sister Kiwi Girl had to overcome some early traffic problems in her heat following which she extended nicely during the run home to claim her 8.75 length heat third to Allegro Gun. She is likely to enjoy jumping away from trap two after she carried the black racing vest in her heat.
The first reserve is the ever green sprinter Hallo Star for Ross and Lynne Udy. She will be contesting her 163rd race if this daughter Star Conquest and Big Sam’s Girl gains the one scratching she requires to line up in this dash after her six length heat third to Suspicious Minds.
Waikato NZRS Sprint finalists includes (from left): Bigtime Jason; Kiwi Boy plus also the first reserve Hallo Star
By Peter Fenemor
