The John McInerney prepared Malaga Molly is renowned for her early pace. It was that heathy asset that she employed when she quickly cleared the Addington 520m four trap which set her up for her freewheeling, pace making victory in Thursday’s feature $7,500 Kolorful Kanvas Christchurch Classic.
Pictured: Malaga Molly proudly wearing her Golden Muzzle after stylishly winning Thursday’s Kolorful Kanvas Christchurch Classic (pic Dave Robbie)
Malaga Molly cruised through her 520m assignment to clock 30.59s when taking out this traditional early season Christchurch hosted feature event. Her reward afterwards was wearing her trophy – a golden muzzle.
Puzzle Tin, from the Dave and Jean Fahey kennels, started as the hot $1.40 race favourite following his tidy 30.30s heat win the previous Friday. He made an early mistake when he got himself tangled up in early traffic. He was back in the field when he was presented with a clear rails passage heading into the first turn. Going down the back he checked of rear paws, then he finished solidly to claim his 2.25 length second.
Gamely leading the chase after the pacemaker was the winner’s kennelmate Zefside. He maintained a solid gallop throughout and he was only cut out of second during the run home when he was claimed by Puzzle Tin when finishing a further two lengths behind him.
Malaga Molly delivering her Kolorful Kanvas Christchurch Classic victory; with her handler Jonathon McInerney; Malaga Molly flanked by runner up Puzzle Tin with handler Sarah Fahey, while Calum Weir helped out when handing the third placed Zefside. They are joined by Christchurch CEO Tony Music and Board member Janine Jopson - pics supplied by Dave Robbie – drobbie91@gmail.com – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos
It was the seventh career win for Malaga Molly who held a grading edge over her rivals in this event being a C4 assessed chaser. She has also secured seven seconds, along with ten thirds from her 36 career races. That all adds to around $24,000 in stake earnings for her owner Mark Thompson.
She has turned into a more than handy racing greyhound for the Dunedin based Thompson who purchased this nicely bred daughter of Fernando Bale and Molly Paisley when he lodged the highest bid in a charity auction held by the Christchurch club during the 2016 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup meeting.
The then puppy was donated by her breeder Michael Cox who is successfully racing other litter members from the Jason Dunn kennels. Included is the promising sprinter Pita Ramos (5 wins, 2 minor placings from 7 races) who he’s racing in partnership with Dunn. Cox has been a regular breeder from his prolific producing bitch Molly Paisley.
Proud owner Mark Thompson with his talented greyhound Malaga Molly; Christchurch compere Richard Bromley who is pictured here auctioning the puppy in 2016 who now races as Malaga Molly, purchased by Mark Thompson
The trophy for this Restricted Age feature is a Golden Muzzle and Christchurch CEO Tony Music tell us about this unique trophy. “Years ago the Christchurch club presented a golden muzzle that pivoted on a stand. I thought it was be a great idea to reinstate it and after a search I came across a local supplier Miller Muzzles who sourced these golden muzzles from Brisbane.
“I brought 12 of them and I’m using them for various Christchurch hosted events. They are a point of difference for us and we think look really smart.”
By Peter Fenemor
