The straight out Kiwi-bred sprinters will contest their $8,400 NZRS Sprint final over the 295m dash here (race 7) after five heats held at the Addington Raceway last Thursday decided the final field that is chocker full with early pace. It’s fair to say that the box draw has thrown up a number of intriguing possible scenarios on just how this race is likely to pan out.
Pictured: Nicey Spicey seen here delivering the quickest of the five NZRS Sprint heat times (pic Dave Robbie)
Ashley Bradshaw produced sprinters to stylishly win three of those heats. Her trio of sprinters hasn’t fared all that good box draw wise for this final, at least when looking at their respective racing tactics. Nicey Spicey slipped through his heat in a personal best 295m time when he stopped the clock in the quickest of the heat times at 17.11s when controlling the pace throughout. This son of Swift Fancy and Assert must replicate that sharp effort from his lousy five trap draw.
His litter sister and kennelmate Flower Bomb produced another pace making win she took out her heat win in 17.33s. Her form from the wider traps isn’t overly flash, which says that she must take a flyer when she exits from the eight trap here.
The New Zealand Cup finalist Nozzno Fear completes the Bradshaw representation in this final after he also led his heat rivals all the way from his preferred inside trap draw to win in 17.23s, which was also a personal best 295m time for this son of Talks Cheap and Hard Habits. He must adopt those same racing tactics when he hops away from the six trap here.
Fired Up Jasper fired away from the eight trap to deliver his freewheeling 17.30s heat win for his trainer Bruce Dann. This son of Elite State and Fireman’s Escort has the ability to deliver a repeat on the pace sprint here, especially from his trap two draw where he has compiled very tidy looking stats from.
Delivering their NZRS Sprint heat wins were (from left): Flower Bomb; Nozzno Fear; Fired Up Jasper
The remaining heat winner was prepared by Malcolm Grant. Smash Bomber also controlled the pace when she produced her 17.40s his win. This daughter of Yellah Mustard and Glasses Up must propel herself straight onto the early pace from trap seven if she’s going to clear the pace drawn inside her here.
Lisa Waretini has qualified two finalists which includes Jinja Brian who has come up trumps in the box draw stakes for this final after being allocated the one trap to leap away from. This vastly experienced son of Bit Chili and Winsome Ashley must jump straight onto the pace following his three quarter length heat second to Smash Bomber.
His kennelmate Ohoka Clare was gallant when she chased after the pace setting Fired Up Jasper which saw her finishing up 2.75 lengths astern of him. This consistent daughter of Shakey Jakey and Alisaray must also push forward during the early rush here.
The Rosemary Blackburn prepared Danziger illustrates just how competitive this field is as this son of Gordon Bale and Fleur Du Liys is in a solid current patch of 295m sprinting form. He will be sighted wearing the white racing vest here after having placed himself handy to the early pace from similar recent draws. He must do exactly that here after his 2.5 length heat second behind Nicey Spicey.
Smash Bomber winning her NZRS Sprint heat; while other finalists includes Jinja Brian; Ohoka Clare; Danziger
Occupying the first possie on the reserves bench is Inside Affair from the Jason Dunn kennels. The stakes claim held by this daughter of Fast Archer and Business Affair cannot be lightly dismissed if she’s required here following her 4.25 length heat second to Nozzno Fear.
Jitterbug Jewel completed his heat assignment three lengths adrift off Flower Bomb. It was a bold heat effort by this C3 graded Craig Roberts prepared son of Dyna Vikkers and Cawbourne Renee produced. He owns sound 295m track form here, although those stats has been compiled in the lower grades.
By Peter Fenemor
