Another ‘Bigtime’ occasion looms at the Hatrick Raceway on Friday evening where the $45,420 New Zealand Breeders’ Stakes will be decided at Group 1 level. Six greyhounds from the Palmerston North based Lisa Cole kennels qualified to contest this final following two 520m heats held last Friday.
Pictured: Bigtime Paddy who is seeking his third Group 1 title in the NZ Breeders’ Stakes final
The box draw for this New Zealand bred only Restricted Age event certainly has thrown up an intriguing set of various possible scenarios on how this final is likely to be contested. Let’s take a look at the field (with their respective TAB Final Field quotes – option 992), starting with the Cole-prepared runners.
Bigtime Paddy ($2.30) has firmly established himself as a classy greyhound as seen by the two Group 1 titles he has already won this season. He processes a searing midrace sectional which he used to telling effect which enabled him to comfortably score his heat win by a 4.5 length margin when running 30.11s. However, drawing out in the eight trap on Friday isn’t exactly where he wants to be.
“Yes, his draw has made it a little bit trickier for him. Obviously it’ll depend on the type of run he gets into the first turn. If he positions himself up on the outer, handy to the pace then his fast midrace sectional can take him clear. He is our leading chance,” advised Brendon Cole.
Meanwhile down at the other end of the Hatrick 520m traps is where the 30.25s heat winner Bigtime Levi ($6) will exit. This recent 25.75s Kamada Park North Island Challenge Stakes 457m winner also isn’t ideally suited to the ace trap. In saying that, he possibly may be presented with a rails passage owing to the racing tactics owned by his kennelmate in trap two. This bloke’s heat effort was massive when powered home wide out after being the midfield going down the back straight.
“He isn’t really suited to trap one, but in saying that Bigtime Wendle may give him enough early space which will allow him to push forward. He is racing right at the top of his game at the moment,” stated Cole, who added, “Don’t forget he ran third in the New Zealand Derby (behind Bigtime Paddy).”
Now we check the two contenders who could very well decide the fate of other finalists here. Bigtime Wendle ($9) shows a preference for racing in the middle of the track therefore she’s likely to move out a tad after jumping from trap two. She does own early pace as we saw in her heat when she attempted to lead all the way prior to being dive bombed late by Bigtime Levi when winding up a head and nose back in third. She delivered that effort from trap eight.
On the other paw her kennel mate No Time Toulouse ($10) will exit from the three trap from where she is likely to cut hard down towards the rail. She also owns an abundance of early pace as seen when she led her heat rivals out. Her angled run down to the rail heading into the first turn presented Bigtime Paddy with a salon racing passage and he didn’t require a second invitation to use as seen by the eventual 4.5 length margin between the pair.
“Bigtime Wendle is a youngster who is going places. Yes I have concerns on what might happen from the traps. Perhaps she’ll give Bigtime Levi a bit of a gap along the rail. No Time Toulouse knows no other way but to go straight to the rail which is an obvious worry. She also has good early pace, so again hopefully she’ll clear the inside dogs,” suggested Cole.
New Zealand Breeders’ Stakes contenders includes (from left): Bigtime Levi; Bigtime Wendle; No Time Toulouse
Bigtime Lily ($10) broke quickly from the ace trap in her heat prior to being crossed by No Time Toulouse and then by Bigtime Paddy. She gamely stuck to her task for the balance of the journey, winding up 5.5 lengths behind her kennel mates. She also processes early pace and she can secure a clear early racing passage from trap four.
Hopping away from the seven trap will be Bigtime Tears ($6) and the common theme continues with her as she can also contest the early pace. She was sighted gamely chasing after her half sister Bigtime Wendle throughout in her heat before being involved the torrid finish just a head behind Bigtime Levi.
“If Bigtime Lily does everything right from the traps, then she can place herself into a good handy early position. Bigtime Tears must make a good beginning and also put herself up onto the pace. I’ll be looking for her to give Bigtime Paddy a nice drag into the first turn. All six of our runners came through their heats in good style and they all galloped really good during the week and they all have checked out okay,” confirmed Cole.
Now that brings in the two other contenders both of whom haven’t drawn the best. Tyson’s Quest ($13) is prepared by the Wanganui GRC President Brian Marsh. He has quietly guided this bloke through the grades having recently attained his open class chasing stripes. He hit bit of road bump when preparing for this series when he was a victim of the recently postponed Manukau Sunday meeting when he was withdrawn from his northern assignment.
“Missing his planned Manukau race saw him going into his Breeders’ heat slightly underdone, therefore I expect him to have benefited from that race. I was happy with his heat effort and pleased he made the final. I guess it will depend what happens over the early stages for him. He can get handy and if he does he’s capable of running his last two sectionals quickly. He’s as good as gold, so it’ll come down to what happens on the night,” said Marsh.
Idol Tom ($7.50) would be a super chaser if he could ever pick his race starts. He still is a very good dog who relies on the power packed finish he owns as seen when he delivered his recent Group 1 520m second (NZ Futurity) at this venue for his conditioner Marcie Flipp. Watch for him to rattle home late here. In his heat here he finished solidly for his 6.5 length third to Bigtime Paddy.
“It’s a safe bet that he won’t be the first away from the traps,” chucked his trainer who added, “In saying that he actually beat two others out of the traps in his heat, so perhaps he’s starting to learn. He’s a pretty exciting dog to watch, but also it’s a bit scary training him. He’ll probably improve after his heat run as I gave him a week off (racing) after his return from Christchurch. The draw for the final has really opened up the race and I have been very happy with him during the week.”
New Zealand Breeders’ Stakes contenders includes (from left): Bigtime Lily; Tyson’s Quest; Idol Tom; Bigtime Tears
It seems strange to say in this Group 1 final that both of the reserves are provided from the Dave and Jean Fahey kennels which illustrates the depth of this field. Kia Tere ($14), who is the first reserve, found himself contained in midfield traffic after he made a moderate start in his heat. Take a look at him in race 10 if he doesn’t gain a race start here. Opawa Rooster $16 occupies the second possie on the reserves bench. This guy owns volumes of talent – it’s his erratic starting habits that has held this Group 2 520m title holder back. He is strong, however he must jump handy to the early pace if he’s racing here.
By Peter Fenemor
