Drawing the inside and outside traps has strongly enhanced the winning claims held by the two quickest 520m heat winners for Thursday’s running of the $8,500 NZRS Novice final at the Addington Raceway.
Pictured: Know Shame delivering her quick 30.22s NZRS Graduation 520m heat win (pic Dave Robbie)
Know Shame, who clocked 30.22s for her heat assignment, is likely to relish exiting from the eight trap for her conditioner Gary Cleeve. Likewise the Ray Adcock prepared Invincible Sue will be equally rapt in being allocated the one trap for the decider after her 30.36s heat victory.
The other two heat winners Mazu (30.58s) for Dave and Jean Fahey and the Ashley Bradshaw trained Crotty (30.42s) hasn’t fared as good, drawing traps five and six respectively.
Know Shame simply flew away from the ace trap which saw this daughter of Yella Mustard and Know Revenge dictating the pace throughout when she cruised to her 10.75 length heat win. Her sound form from trap eight suggests that she can serve up a repeat dose.
Likewise Invincible Sue adopted pace making tactics as she also scampered straight into the race lead from trap one. It was a wise choice that this daughter of Barcia Bale and Andrea made because charging at her late was the strong finishing Sefton Stan who closed to within three quarters of a length. This girl brings Group 1 racing experience into this final.
Crotty had no option but to take a flyer from the seven trap in his heat. He did exactly that as he asserted his authority over his rivals when this son of Don’t Knocka Him and Emerge jump smartly which saw him freewheeling to his 3.75 length heat victory. He must employ similar racing tactics on Thursday.
Mazu was stylish when this son of Bekim Bale and Delusionist resumed from a spell. He raced in an early midfield position from where he improved going down the back straight. He strongly slipped around the final turn from where he extended to secure his 4.5 length heat win. This bloke isn’t known for his early pace and he’ll be looking for early racing luck. He is known for his strong finishing efforts.
The Addington NZRS Graduation 520m heat winners (from left): Invincible Sue; Crotty; Mazu- pics supplied by Dave Robbie – drobbie91@gmail.com – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos
As mentioned Sefton Stan was sighted putting in some big late bounds for his heat second for the Fahey’s after he stalked the pace setting Invincible Sue. This son of Fabregas and Opawa Zara is the least experienced finalist having contested just eleven races (four wins). He has produced a consistent string of Addington 520m efforts. He must push forward onto the early pace after leaping away from trap seven here.
Cleeve has qualified a second finalist which occurred when Know Hassle boldly chased home Crotty. This son of Dyna Tron and Know Which is on the other end of the experience scale, as this decider will be his 79th visit to the races. Amazingly his heat outing was just his second Addington 520m assignment after having spent a fair portion of his career contesting open class 295m sprints at this venue. He will be sighted wearing the white racing vest on Thursday.
Finishing solidly to book his place in this feature event was another greyhound from the Bradshaw kennels. Ming Ming had settled in the midfield pack and it was when rounding the final bend when this daughter of Dream Collector and Hard Habits improved her field position. She kicked on stoutly for her heat second behind Mazu. She will load away into the two trap here.
Completing the drawn field for Geraldine trainer Bob Pringle is Replica Casino. The stake earning claim that this son of Jinjarango and Smash Kingdom holds in this feature was strengthened when he secured trap two too hop away from. His heat effort was solid when he pushed forward from trap eight to maintain a bold gallop throughout which saw him leading the vain chase home behind the tear away chaser Know Shame.
The first reserve is provided by Janine Jopson with her charge Archie’s Ranger being the quickest heat third place getter. This son of Apache Jet and Angle Of Mine pressed on stoutly during the run home when delivering his 2.75 length heat third to Invincible Sue
Occupying the second possie on the reserves bench is Opawa Brad for his new trainer Cory Steele. This bloke knows his way around the Addington circuit blind folded having contested 59 previous 520m races at the venue. This son of Winsome Opawa and Opawa Winsome wound up 5.25 lengths astern of Crotty in his heat when finishing third.
By Peter Fenemor
