It’s looming as a ‘bigtime’ occasion for Monday’s running of the $12,000 NZRS Advanced final at the Manawatu Raceway. Two 457m heats held last Monday saw the powerful local Lisa Cole kennels finishing up with seven of the ten listed finalists for this event.
Pictured: Bigtime Wendle, who returned the fastest NZRS Advanced 457m heat time
Included in the Cole contenders are a pair of litter sisters, both of whom were the heat winners with their times being almost identical. Bigtime Wendle exploded clear from the seven trap which saw this daughter Fabregas and Allegro Star dictating the pace throughout for her bold 25.93s heat win. She’s jumping from the three trap here and she still holds solid claims here even though she’s better suited to the wider traps. She holds a 520m racing engagement at Hatrick on Friday.
Wendle’s sister Bigtime Twinkle jumped away in the lead brunch, then she stalked her pace making kennel mate Bigtime Caleb. She then out finished him for her tidy 25.94s heat win. Another competitive effort from this girl can be expected in this decider from the four trap.
Bigtime Caleb set up a scorching pace from trap one in his heat. It took Bigtime Twinkle to run him down late by half a length. This son of Collision and Darlyne Ottey has been allocated the one trap again here from where has earned a stake in all ten races (two wins) he’s had from this trap.
That was more like his old self when Bigtime Levi was sighted putting in some big late bounds to nail his 2.25 length heat third to Bigtime Wendle. This son of Spring Gun and Bigtime Karen could be the forgotten dog on Monday as he’s very capable of being able to swoop on his rivals from the eight trap here.
Bigtime Doug gamely chased after the pace setters and this son of Cosmic Rumble and Allegro Star kicked on soundly for his 1.75 length heat third to Bigtime Twinkle. He must push forward early after stepping away from this lousy five trap draw.
It was somewhat surprising to see Bigtime Tears battling over the later stages when she wound up 2.4 lengths astern of Bigtime Wendle when finishing fourth. Surprising because this daughter of Fabregas and Marlisa had tracked the pacemaker into the home straight. Don’t forget she led throughout when she delivered her 29.84s 520m win in the New Zealand Breeders’ Stakes at Group 1 level. She will be sighted wearing the black racing vest in this event.
Monday NZRS Advanced contenders includes (from left): Bigtime Caleb; Bigtime Doug; Bigtime Tears
Bigtime Zack completes the Cole representation in this final with this litter brother to Bigtime Tears occupying the first possie on the reserves bench. He whacked away in the midfield pack in his heat and a similar scenario looks likely for him if he’s racing here.
Idol Tom just keeps on racking up minor placings in a strong fields with his tardy starts keeping on plaguing his winning claims. This son of Fabregas and Idol Girl rattles home late as seen in his fast finishing 2.25 length heat fourth from the rear group in the heat won by Bigtime Twinkle. It was 18 races ago when this Marcie Flipp prepared chaser won his C4 race – he hasn’t won since, although he has racked up 13 minors placings, including two at Group 1 level. He’s likely to hold the rail from the two trap here.
Thomas William settled in the midfield from where he improved around the turn and finished stoutly to claim his 1.5 length heat second to Bigtime Wendle. This David Denbee trained son of Talk’s Cheap and Scamper Clair isn’t the quickest into stride, which is a concern for him here from trap six.
It is from the kennels operated by Errol Duganzich where the second reserve All About Space is provided from. This daughter of Above All and Spot On Maggie tried to push forward during the early rush for positions in her heat, but she wasn’t able to clear the midfield traffic.
Monday NZRS Advanced contenders includes (from left): Idol Tom; Thomas William and reserve All About Space
By Peter Fenemor
