There’s no doubting that Dyna Dave has to be the most improved greyhound racing over the last month or so. He has delivered some astounding recent 520m wins at both the Hatrick and Addington Raceways. The Craig Roberts trained chaser was emphatic again in the manner that he strongly won Monday’s running of the $6,245 Garrard’s Connie Smallbridge Memorial Ashburton Cup.

Pictured: Dyna Dave delivering his Monday afternoon Ashburton Cup win (pic Dave Robbie)

The rain that hit the north also hit the south as the Ashburton GRC’s annual TAB meeting at the Addington Raceway was held in wet conditions.

Dyna Dave isn’t exactly the quickest into stride and on Monday he made a moderate start from the three trap. Winning the break from the ace trap was the Jason Dunn prepared Bookie Monster. Pushing up to track him into the first turn was Egomaniacal from the Dave and Jean Fahey kennels and on his outer we saw the Ray Adcock trained Tom Tee.

Dyna Dave secured a rails passage when rounding that turn and he quickly pushed up to place himself into a handy position. Approaching the final turn Dyna Dave switched away from the rail to claim Bookie Monster from where he cleared out to deliver what turned into an easy 3.75 length victory in a very handy 29.96s.

Egomaniacal maintained his solid gallop to hold second, while Tom Tee kicked on stoutly for his third placing a further 2.75 lengths behind with another neck back to a tiring Bookie Monster.

For Dyna Dave it was his third consecutive Addington 520m win with his previous two victories being delivered in 30s flat and a slippery 29.83s. His racing style suggests that potentially he looms as serious looking contender for the forthcoming $60,000 Amazing Chase series.

Dyna Dave has now won ten of his 20 race day outings, while he has placed on a further six occasions which adds up to $24,810 in stake earnings for his owner Brendon Wheeler.

Garrard’s Connie Smallbridge Memorial Ashburton Cup winner Dyna Dave with Craig Roberts being joined by his handling son Dan, while flanked by David Emerson and Ashburton GRC secretary Jaz Tanner; the full Ashburton cup podium with Dyna Dave being joined by runner up Egomaniacal along with the third placed Tom Tee - pics supplied by Dave Robbie – drobbie91@gmail.com – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos

By Peter Fenemor