Flying the traps and seizing the early race lead were the keys to victory in both of the $8,400 NZRS Sprints finals held at the Cambridge and Addington Raceways last Thursday. Just One Smile fired out from the seven trap for her easy 20.95s Cambridge 375m win, while at Addington it was Fired Up Jasper who dictated terms to his rivals when he delivered his 17.28s 295m win from trap two.
Pictured: Fired Up Jasper cruising to his Addington NZRS Sprint win (pic Dave Robbie)
Just three trainers fronted up to the Cambridge 375m traps after having qualified the entire final field between them. It was appropriate that all three trainers was represented by runners at the post race podium.
Standing on top of the podium was the Ben Craik prepared Just One Smile who had regained winning form when she delivered her 21.08s heat win. This daughter of El Grand Senor and Just Jordana achieved her heat win by pinging away from the seven trap.
She adopted that healthy tactic again from the same trap when she served up a repeat dose, this time completing her assignment in a tidy 20.95s, claiming her win by a comfortable 5.75 length margin. Her win also ensured her owing Katcha Jordana syndicate also benefited from the winners portion of the bonus Breeders’ attached to this final.
Kiwi Boy has been building a tidy career record from a limited number of race day outings for his conditioners Jared Udy and Denise Cottam. He arrived into this final on the back of his bold heat second behind another Craik prepared sprinter Suspicious Minds.
This James Black and Alisha Steele owned and bred son of Kilty Lad and Kiwi Girl quickly pushed forward along the rail after hopping away from the one trap. He maintained his strong sprint throughout, being rewarded with his second placing.
The race favourite was the Lisa Cole trained Allegro Gun who had set the Cambridge track alight when he delivered his 20.92s heat win. However he found himself monetarily held in early traffic in the final from the six trap. He quickly improved his early position to set off the after the pace setters. This son of Spring Gun and Hifi Allegro punched home soundly when finishing half a length behind the runner up.
For Just One Smile this was all about her, the Craik family, who aside from Ben also has wife Barbara, along with their daughters Lisa and Tracey actively involved in the Drury based kennels. They prepared Just Jordana throughout her stellular career and the Craik family form part of the same owing Katcha Jordana syndicate, which also includes John Roberts, Selwyn Loader, Craig Rendle and Ray Waters.
Just One Smile, who is renowned for her slick early pace, has now raced on 48 occasions. She has won 18 of those and after adding in a further 12 minor placings sees her career earnings now standing at $29,156 (excluding Breeders’ bonus payments).
Waikato NZRS Sprint final winner Just One Smile; The full Waikato hosted NZRS Sprint podium with Just One Smile flanked by runner up Kiwi Boy and third placed Allegro Gun; Just One Smile with race day handlers and syndicate members Selwyn Loader and Tracey Craik, plus handler Georgie Milne – pics Sarah, Waikato GRC
Christchurch NZRS Sprint final
It was a real competitive Christchurch hosted NZRS Sprint final field where again it was a quick start that the Bruce Dann prepared Fired Up Jasper produced that set up his dashing 17.28s Addington 295m win last Thursday evening.
The son of Elite State and Fireman’s Escort had his rivals covered when sprinting around the bend which saw Jinja Brian for Lisa Waretini and the Rosemary Blackburn trained Danziger gamely chasing in behind him. Fired Up Jasper kept up his strong sprint during the run home which saw him prevailing for his owner Ann Dann by a length and a quarter.
Jinja Brian maintained his solid sprint which saw this son of Bit Chili and Winsome Ashley claiming the runners up prize by three quarters of a length over Danziger, who is a member of the Gordon Bale and Fleur Du Liys litter.
It was the 13th career win for Fired Up Jasper, who can also add in further nine placings from his 37 race day appearances. Those efforts combine to $21,377 in stake earnings (excluding Breeders’ bonus payments) which in this instance will be picked up by Alice (Ann) Dann.
The Dann’s has been long term Canterbury industry participants, with their kennels always having a sprinkling of handy greyhounds in them over numerous decades.
Fired Up Jasper with his trainer Bruce Dann along with Christchurch GRC manager Tony Music after his Christchurch NZRS Sprint win; the full Addington NZRS Sprint podium with Fired Up Jasper flanked by runner up Jinja Briana and third paced Danziger - pics supplied by Dave Robbie – drobbie91@gmail.com – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos
By Peter Fenemor
