The box draw for Sunday’s $8,500 NZRS Graduation final at the Manukau Stadium has thrown up a number of intriguing possible scenarios on how this 527m event could pan out for the Kiwi bred intermediate graded chasers.
Pictured: Talkabout Missy who returned the quickest NZRS Graduation 527m heat time.
Two 527m heats, held last Sunday finalized the field for the decider which will be dispatched by starter Danny Laing at 4.04pm on Sunday (race 11).
It was mixed heat results for the nation’s leading strike rate conditioner Karen Walsh. She provided the quinella in the first heat, while from the second heat she wound up with the first reserve for the final.
Talkabout Missy was bold when she cruised to her 30.78s heat win. The daughter of Cosmic Rumble and Thrilling Quest (who is the current 46.08s Manukau 779m track record holder) seized the race lead when rounding the first turn. She was never challenged afterwards, cruising to her 5.25 length heat win. She will exit from the eight trap for the final from where she won her previous trap eight race.
Her kennel mate Thrilling Dexter had settled just in behind the pace in the same heat. He improved his field position down the back straight from where this son of Thrilling Sam and Thrilling Georga surged into second and in doing so booked his final field position. He will hop away from trap four for this assignment.
His kennel mate Thrilling Carly endured a traffic impeded heat outing which has resulted in this daughter of Fabregas and Thrilling Ella occupying the first possie on the reserves bench here. She lost her unbeaten career record, however it would be foolhardy to disregard her claims if she secures a race start here.
Jared Udy and Denise Cottam enjoyed their most successful season ever last season training an impressive 97 winners. They have commenced the new season in great style which includes preparing Jinja Might for his 31.07s heat win. It was a bold effort by this son of Fabregas and Jinja Ruby and being allocated the one trap for this decider has enhanced his stake claims.
Glennis Farrell has qualified two finalists, however her pair of contenders hasn’t fare overly well in the box draw here after both had to overcome early traffic problems to secure their places here. Amy Amy was huge when this daughter of Bekim Bale and Opawa Amy was sighted rocketing home for her 6.7 length heat fourth to Jinja Might. She had copped a decent check on the first turn. There’s no denying her strength at the business end of her races – it’s her moderate starting habits that is the concern for her here. She will be sighted wearing the green racing vest here.
Sunday NZRS Graduation finalists includes (from left): Thrilling Dexter; Jinja Might; Amy Amy
Draxler is seeking to start what could be the first leg of a unique litter double if this son of Bekim Bale and Delusionist prevails in this event. He secured his place in Sunday’s field when he pressed on stoutly for his 3.4 length third behind Jinja Might. On Thursday evening his litter brother Mazu stylishly won his NZRS Graduation heat at the Addington Raceway and he’ll contest that final nest Thursday. Draxler has been provided with no favours by being required to hop away from trap five here.
Sean Codlin is backing up his charge Thrilling Arnold from his traffic impeded Cambridge Thursday 375m C3 sprint. He jumped onto the early pace from trap one in his heat from where this litter brother to Talkabout Missy matched his paws with Jinja Might throughout. He only went under by a neck margin to him. He’ll exit from trap two on Sunday.
Hayley Mullane applies to the finishing touches to Wairoa Wolf who booked his place in this field when he wound up 7.25 lengths astern of Talkabout Missy. It was a bold effort from this son Blue Lorian and Who Bobby as he raced handy to the pace throughout. He must use those same racing tactics after he hops away from trap three here.
Completing the drawn field here is Idol Ajay who is from the inform Wayne and Tracy Steele kennels. He positioned himself just in behind the pace setters for the greater part of his heat assignment. This son of Velocette and Idol Girl whacked boldly for his 7.3 length heat fourth behind Talkabout Missy. He will head to the 527m starting traps wearing the black racing vest.
Sunday NZRS Graduation finalists includes (from left): Thrilling Arnold; Wairoa Lenny; Idol Ajay
The second possie on the reserves bench is occupied the Errol Duganzich trained Tuna Speed who is a member of the promising Above All and Spot On Maggie litter that is raced by him. She was making her Manukau track debut when she became tangled up in midfield traffic in the heat that was taken out by Talkabout Missy.
Pawnote: The $8,500 NZRS Graduation final is the fourth leg of the guaranteed $30,000 TAB Pick6 pool on offer at this meeting (races 8 – 13).
By Peter Fenemor
