The qualifying process for the Frompro Amazing Chase series is underway with 15 of the nominated greyhounds having posted official times at the three qualifying venues. Numerous more greyhounds can be expected to appear on the three track leaderboards following this weekend’s racing.
Pictured: The exciting chaser Dyna Weslyn is setting the pace on the Addington Frompro Amazing Chase leaderboard after her sensational 29.81s 520m win last week (pic Dave Robbie)
Frompro has again been confirmed as the naming rights sponsor for the Amazing Chase. As part of their sponsorship the creators and suppliers of the popular greyhound speed maps will provide a year’s subscription, along with two six month subscriptions to their form analyst service. Check out here the Formpro web site here https://formproratings.co.nz
The connections of 33 greyhounds paid up the $100 nomination/donation fee meaning the Frompro Amazing Chase designated charity Jigsaw Wanganui has already benefited by $3,300.
The TAB has released their Futures market for the series with the win option being 1967, while the Top 3 option is 1968. There was some early action with the opening favourite Dyna Dave having being brought in from his $4.50 opening quote to his current $4 offer. His kennel mates, the exciting chasing talents Dyna Weslyn and Dyna Elwyn has plunged in from their respective $11 and $12 quotes to now sit on the second line of betting at $5 each.
The ultra talented Craig Roberts prepared Dyna Weslyn ($5 & $2) currently leads the Addington Frompro Amazing Chase leaderboard after she delivered her swift 29.81s 520m gallop last Thursday. It was a sensational performance, especially as the slick time was produced in cold, wintery conditions. Her time was just a half a length outside the Addington 520m 29.78s track record set by Miss Koonawarrain 2008.
It’s a Roberts dominated Addington leaderboard with the other four times recorded at the Christchurch headquarters being held by greyhounds from his kennels. Holding down second place is the current Auckland Cup title holder Dirk Bale ($31 & $8) with a 30.20s clock. The promising Dyna Elwyn ($5 & $2) is in third place via his effortless recent 30.41s C1 520m win. He impressed when delivering his NZ debut win by a comfortable 10.75 length margin.
Rockstar Kobe ($51 & $13) was a Barron’s South Island Championship finalist and he currently sits in fourth place following his 30.45s heat time. The favourite for the South Island Champs Dyna Dave ($4 & $1.70) is currently in fifth possie with a 30.78s clock. He endured a completely luckless racing passage in his South Island Championship heat.
Holding the top of the leader board at the Hatrick Raceway is the professional greyhound Bigtime Paddy ($7 & $2.60). He shouldered his rivals out of the way during the early rush for positions when he was on his way to his recent 30.03s 520m win for his trainer Lisa Cole.
The Marcie Flipp trained Idol Tom ($51 & $12) finished second to him in that race and it is that place he occupies on the Hatrick leaderboard with his 30.19s time. The first greyhound to clock an official solo trial time to feature on the leader board was Cawbourne Palmer ($201 & $41) who completed his 520m assignment in 30.23s for Angela Turnwald.
Cole trained greyhounds are the next three Amazing Chase contenders who has recorded official times via races. The recent Group 1 520m winner Bigtime Tears ($26 & $6.50) with 30.35s is in fourth place and she is followed by Ask King Jeff ($31 & $8) with 30.48s and then Don’t Knocka Gee ($101 & $26) who recorded 30.87s. The Group 1 winning Cawbourne Krusty endured a luckless ($21 & $6) 520m outing at this venue last Friday for Matt Roberts.
Hatrick update: Craig Roberts brought the current Addington third placed chaser Dyna Elwyn north to Hatrick where he contested a C1 520m event on Wednesday. His 30.36s time now sees him slotting into sixth place on the Hatrick leader board. Improving on her time also at Hatrick during the Wednesday meeting was Don’t Knocka Gee who nailed her C1 520m win in 30.34s which advanced her leader board position up into the fourth position.
Frompro Amazing Chase qualifying commenced at the Manukau Stadium two Sunday’s ago where the recent Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar third place getter Cristiane Cyborg ($26 & $7) dropped back to 527m racing to deliver her power packed finish to clock 30.62s. That saw her taking the early lead on the northern leader board.
Last year’s Frompro Amazing Chase runner up Ridin’ Shotgun ($41 & $11) returned a 30.73s 527m race time for his trainer Karen Walsh, while the Ben Craik prepared Cameo Syd ($151 & $31) is the remaining contender with an official time via his 31.06s clock.
Frompro Amazing Chase venue leaders after two weeks of official qualifying are (from left): Dyna Weslyn (Addington); Bigtime Paddy (Hatrick); Cristiane Cyborg (Manukau)
The Week Ahead
Frompro Amazing Chase eligible greyhounds holding race acceptances for the balance of the week includes the following- Addington Thursday: Dyna Weslyn (race 7) who is contesting a Restricted Age 520m event which includes a couple of open graded assessed chasers. Last week’s Christchurch Casino NZ Stayers Cup winner Avenger Bale ($10 & $3.20) commences his Amazing Chase qualifying attempts in race 10. Joining him in that race will be Dyna Dave, who has drawn better in trap two, plus his kennel mate Rockstar Kobe.
There are two heats for the $11,340 NZRS Advanced series at Hatrick on Friday evening and those heats feature a number of Amazing Chase contenders. The first heat is race 7 which features Idol Tom looking to improve on his time as is Bigtime Paddy and Bigtime Tears.
Cristiane Cyborg treks south looking to make her presence felt at this venue and she contests the second heat (race 8). Bigtime Levi ($21 & $6) will open his Amazing Chase qualifying efforts in this event from the one trap.
The race 10 open class 520m race features the second placed Christchurch greyhound Dirk Bale. Making his first appearance in the series will be the current New Zealand Cup title holder Nature’s Gent ($8 & $2.70). Also commencing her qualifying process is the Matt Roberts prepared Cawbourne Trixy ($151 & $31) who was a finalist in last year’s Amazing Chase. Ask King Jeff will be looking to improve on his time, while the nominated Mija Sydney ($81 & $21) is the second reserve for this race. Earlier on the card Cawbourne Krusty will seeking to her improve her time from the one trap in race 4.
Drury trainer Ben Craik is fronting up with a trio of Amazing Chase greyhounds at the Manukau Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Having their first qualifying attempt in the race 10 C4/5 527m event will be Trip To Eden ($81 & $18) and Westworld ($101 & $26). Cameo Syd will be looking to improve on his current time.
Greyhounds who are accepted and who will be clocking Formpro Amazing Chase qualifying times over the rest of this week includes Avenger Bale (Addington); Nature’s Gent (Hatrick); Westworld (Manukau)
Frompro Amazing Chase eligible greyhounds are being identified on Trackside TV whenever they race with a caption appearing on screen with the Amazing Chase logo along with their Futures quotes being listed beside their names during the prerace lead in to their respective races.
By Peter Fenemor
