A rather promising greyhound from the Dave and Jean Fahey kennels cruised to an effortless win in last Friday’s $7,500 NZRS Novice final at the Addington Raceway. Mr. Matt is his name and his potential was underlined by the tidy 30.44s he cut out his 520m assignment in.
Pictured: Mr. Matt delivering his easy Friday NZRS Novice victory (pic Dave Robbie)
It wasn’t the quickest of starts that Mr. Matt made from the eight trap, however he quickly got into stride, then pushed up to the early on the pace runners when rounding the first turn and this son of Fabregas and Opawa Born seized the race lead when entering the back straight. The race for the lower graded Kiwi bred chasers was effectively all over at that point as Mr. Matt extended his race lead.
Six 520m heats was held for this final the previous week and which saw four Steve and Bonnie Evans prepared greyhounds qualify via their respective heat wins. It was these four members of the ‘Goldstar army” who was left with the vain task of chasing after the freewheeling pace setter.
Goldstar Renee had led around the first turn, while racing in close attendance with him was Goldstar Captain, along with Goldstar Whitey. Sitting just in behind this trio of kennelmates was Goldstar Captain and it was this squad who were poised to scrap over the minor stakes on offer.
It was all Mr. Matt during the run home and the hot $1.30 favourite cruised to his seventh career win holding a comfortable 6.25 length margin for his owing Opawa Racing team, speared headed by the syndicate manager Robin Wales who picked up the $995 Breeders’ bonus portion of the winning stake.
The Goldstar team arrived home in a bunch with the rank $53.70 outsider Goldstar Whitey (Know Class – Know Lover Affair) fending off the strong late challenge lodged by Goldstar Sydney (Know Peace – Noble Fantasy) by a rapidly narrowing head margin. Goldstar Captain (Barcia Bale – Goldstar Avery) was a further three quarters of length with the other Evans rep Goldstar Renee (Yella Mustard – Goldstar Bella) being the next home.
Handler Josh Lane with Friday’s NZRS Novice winner Mr. Matt; Mr. Matt flanked on the Christchurch podium by runner up Goldstar Whitey and third placed Goldstar Sydney - pics supplied by Dave Robbie – drobbie91@gmail.com – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos
A tardy start also from the Addington 520m eight trap on Tuesday afternoon saw Mr. Matt getting tangled up in early traffic however he looms as a solid looking prospect to record his eighth career win and advance on his $12,626 stake earnings in what will be his 14th race day outing from trap one in race four this Friday afternoon. It’s shaping up as a rematch from the NZRS Novice final as Goldstar Captain, Goldstar Whitey and Goldstar Sydney will also contest this event.
By Peter Fenemor
