It sure was an outstanding afternoon of chasing success for the John McInerney kennels during Tuesday afternoon’s Southland meeting at Ascot Park where he mentored a staggering 13 winners on the 14 race card. Included was Princely Gold’s easy victory in the $8,400 NZRS Graduation series final.
Pictured: Princely Gold delivering his Tuesday NZRS Graduation win (pic Dave Robbie)
The only race that team McInerney didn’t train the winner off was race 2, where he didn’t have a greyhound lining up in. Those successes took the tally of winners for the kennel this season up to 538 after having earlier broken through the $1,000,000 stakes earning barrier.
Princely Gold exploded clear from the six trap in the Graduation final and that electric start saw him delivering an effortless pace making 26.11s for his 457m assignment. This son of Fast Archer and Homebush Violet cruised in to claim his win by a 2.75 length margin. As commentator Dave McDonald said in his post race wrap, “Princely Gold showed wicked acceleration just after the traps lifted.” He was spot on with that comment.
It was Opawa Racing bred and owned greyhounds who chased the pacemaker home. Both Opawa Abby Joy (Velocette – Opawa Peekay) from the Dave and Jean Fahey kennels along with the Robin Wales prepared Opawa Robynann (Fabregas – Opawa Gem) gamely chased after the freewheeling pace maker.
It was Opawa Abby Joy who held a length advantage when claiming the runners up prize meaning that the three trainers who qualified finalists were all represented on the Ascot Park post race podium.
For Princely Gold it was his 14th career win, which came in his 81st race day appearance. He has placed on a further 22 occasions which now sees his career stake earnings sitting at $26,187 (excluding Breeders’ bonus payments) for John McInerney who races Princely Gold in partnership with David Emerson.
The Ascot Park post race NZRS Graduation podium with handler Leigh Popham and winner Princely Gold, while he’s flanked by runner up Opawa Abby Joy and third placed Opawa Robynann
By Peter Fenemor.
