Avenger Bale was crowned as the 2017/18 Canterbury Greyhound of the Year during the Christchurch GRC’s annual awards evening at the Addington Raceway on Saturday evening. It was a stellular season for the Craig Roberts trained, Jan Wheeler owned versatile greyhound who received three awards during the evening.
Pictured: The newly named 2017/18 Canterbury Greyhound of the Year Avenger Bale seen here winning the Group 1 2018 NZ Stayers’ Cup (pic Dave Robbie)
In a unique achievement Avenger Bale was also named as the Canterbury Middle Distance Greyhound of the Year, plus also this member of the brilliant Fernando Bale and Langi Bale litter took out the Canterbury Stayer of the Year award.
It was Avenger Bale’s consistency in his Addington 520m assignments that saw him prevailing in the Middle Distance section, winning ten of his 520m races at the Christchurch headquarters.
Equaling the long standing Addington 645m track record, plus his powerhouse victory in the prestigious 2018 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Stayers Cup over 732m at Group 1 level not only contributed to Avenger Bale’s Stayers title, but also to him claiming the overall Canterbury Greyhound of the Year title.
The short course Addington 295m sprints are always competitive affairs therefore it was a great achievement by the Bruce Dann prepared, Ann Dann owned Fired Up Jasper to be named as the Canterbury Sprinter of the Year winner. He won 17 295m sprints during the season, mostly in open class, with his biggest win coming in the $8,400 NZRS Sprint final.
The Canterbury Dam of the Year award was won by Know Love Affair (Scotexcited – Love Of History) who is now owned by Steve & Bonnie Evans. Her leading progeny includes Goldstar Ashton, Goldstar Marvely, Bossy Affair, Cold Affair, Jealous Affair and Jaded Affair. She left 45 Addington race winners during the season. Hard Habits with 43 winners and Fireman’s Escort on 34 wins came in next.
John McInerney, with 220 successes, conditioned the most winners at the Addington track over the season. He was followed by Dave and Jean Fahey on 166 wins and a late season spurt saw Craig Roberts claiming third after prepared 161 race winners.
It was another hugely successful season for the Christchurch GRC with their flagship races, with the $100,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup remaining the nation’s highest stakes event. A point of difference was again made by the Christchurch GRC with the majority of awards winners being presented with their specially prepared Golden Muzzles.
2017/18 Canterbury Greyhound of the Year awards were received by (from top left): Fired Up Jasper (sprinter) was accepted by Kerry O’Connor from Tony Music, who also presented the Canterbury Trainer award to Jonathon McInerney, who then presented the Canterbury Dam of the Year award to Alysha & Lisa Waretini along with Bonnie & Steve Evans; Christchurch Chairman Chris Earl presented the following awards for Avenger Bale to Middle Distance – Bobby Blackburn, Stayer – Craig Roberts, Canterbury Greyhound of the Year – Craig Roberts - pics Dave Robbie
The Canterbury monthly award winners were: August – John McMillan, September – Craig Roberts’ October – Garry Cleeve, November – Ashley Bradshaw, December - Mick Butler, January - Heather Cairns, February - Calum Weir, March – Mark Robinson, April – Lisa Waretini, May – Bruce Dann, June – Janine Jopson’ July – Steve and Bonnie Evans.
As is normal the Canterbury OTB Assn also held their awards during the evening. Their points based award winners were: Top Greyhound (male) – Danziger with 46 points, while Opawa Rooster and Goldstar Ashton tied for second on 45 points. Top Greyhound (female) was Ohoka Clare on 58 points, followed by Elodea on 38 points and then Fair Pippa with 36 points.
The Top Canterbury OTB Breeder was Opawa Racing who took out the award over Ashley Bradshaw and Peter Seque, while Steve Evans came in third in this section. A Canterbury OTB Assn Committee special award was presented to Alan Botherway.
Canterbury OTB Assn President Howard Anderton along with Jean Fahey presented their awards to (from left): Top Dog – Skye Chambers, Danziger, Top Female – Alysha Waretini, Ohoka Clare; Breeder – Nathan Breen, Opawa Racing, Special award Allan Botherway – pic Dave Robbie
By Peter Fenemor
