Over the years the lethal racing partnership of owner and breeder Gary Haring and trainer Karen Walsh has combined to win many, many feature races. It was no different for the pair at the Auckland Sunday meeting when Talkabout Missy stylishly prevailed in the $8,500 NZRS Graduation final.
Pictured: Talkabout Missy following her Auckland NZRS Graduation Sunday win
Talkabout Missy was installed as the NZRS Graduation race favourite after posting the quickest of the two 527 heat times with her 30.78s clock. Being allocated the eight trap was also in her favour. She jumped away tidily from out there which saw her vying for the early race lead when heading into the first turn.
Racing underneath her was the Sean Codlin prepared Thrilling Arnold, while the other 31.08s heat winner Jinja Might from the Jared Udy and Denise Cottam kennels was in close attendance. The race order remained pretty much the same for the balance of the event with Talkabout Missy building a comfortable race lead.
That lead translated into a four length advantage for Talkabout Missy when she stopped the clock after 30.95s of hard out chasing action. It sure was race on for the minor placings with Jinja Might (Fabregas – Jinja Ruby) out bobbing a really gallant Thrilling Arnold (Cosmic Rumble – Thrilling Quest) by the very barest possible margin.
Talkabout Missy is a litter sister to the third placed Thrilling Arnold, meaning that breeder Gary Harding deservedly picked up the first and third place Breeders’ bonus payments that is available for all NZRS finals.
It has been a real solid start that Talkabout Missy has made to her racing career. This was her seventh from just nine race day outings which includes one second placing. Her stake earnings now sits at $10,697 (excluding Breeders’ payments). There’s the promise of much more to come her way.
Handler Sophie Whittaker being presented the NZRS Graduation trophy by Auckland GRC Chairman John Roberts; Sophie with Talkabout Missy, while she’s flanked by runner up Jinja Might and the third placed Thrilling Arnold
