Thursday’s $12,000 NZRS Advanced field at the Cambridge Raceway has an “imported” look to it as six of the nine listed Kiwi-bred greyhounds for the 457m event have commenced their racing careers in the other two racing regions in the country.
Pictured: Just Jordana who is represented by her son Beautiful Boy in Thursday’s NZRS Advanced final (see below)
One greyhound who has always been domiciled in the northern region is last Thursday’s 21-1 upset winner Noah Who. His trainer Hayley Mullane loaded this son of Piggy Back and Bobby Who into the one trap from where he hopped away nicely and with the balance of the field jamming up behind him saw this bloke cruising home for his easy 8.5 length win, clocking 25.87s. He moves out to trap seven for this decider.
The Ben Craik trained pair of contenders has also exclusively raced in the northern region. The proven Beautiful Boy has been a competitive Cambridge 457m greyhound for a long time. His race will be decided on his race start from trap eight. Last Thursday this son of El Grand Senor and Just Jordana made an inwards movement when he tried to push forward after jumping away from trap seven, which led to traffic issues for him. He owns the field best 25.51s winning 457m time.
As a side point Beautiful Boy’s mum Just Jordana has now left the winners of 100 races. It is a remarkable result for this broodie as she only ever whelped two litters. The milestone was raised last Thursday by her promising daughter C’est L’Amour when she won her C3 375m sprint here.
Kennelmate Cameo Syd looks set to have a profitable restricted age season in front of him after this son of Kilty Lad and Kiwi Girl landed his first open class win when he prevailed over 527m at the Manukau Stadium in a handy 30.45s in his last assignment. He must place himself handy to the early pace after he exits from trap six here.
Thursday NZRS Advanced Cambridge contenders includes (from left): Noah Who, Beautiful Boy; Cameo Syd
Thomas William has been a competitive Manawatu Monday afternoon 457m chaser for a while now, frequently seen contesting open class events. This David Denbee owned and trained son of Talk’s Cheap and Scamper Clair has been provided with the visitors five trap draw. He has placed in his two previous 457m races on this big, sweeping circuit.
Now we move onto the “imported” chasers which includes a couple of contenders racing from the Mullane kennels. We all know where Bigtime Jason and Bigtime Jacob originated from. The former is a son of Cosmic Rumble and Darlyne Ottey and he will slot away into the one trap here. He does own known early pace and he can make his presence felt by using that healthy tactic at trap rise here.
Bigtime Jacob will be sighted wearing the white racing vest in this event. This son of Jarvis Bale and Real Clever has been settling just in behind the early pace in his recent C4 375m sprint outings here. He has collected a stake in six (two wins) of his eight 457m races here, although he hasn’t cracked the 26 second barrier for the trip here yet.
Thursday NZRS Advanced Cambridge contenders includes (from left): Thomas William, Bigtime Jason; Bigtime Jacob
The balance of the field is completed by greyhounds who were formerly mentored in the Dave and Jean Fahey Canterbury based kennels. These days Vikings, who will exit from trap two here, is now having his finishing touches being applied by Emma Potts. He won the 2017 edition of the Canterbury Futurity at Group 2 level over 520m. A couple of months later he was at this venue where he finished as the runner up in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby. His overall track form here is sound, while this son of Barcia Bale and Jinja Power has clocked a respectable 25.62s best 457m time here.
Draxler is a known strong finishing railing chaser who nowadays spends his days at the Glennis Farrell kennels. The challenge that this son of Bekim Bale and Delusionist faces after he hops away from the four trap here is being able to get himself handy to the early pace as he isn’t exactly the quickest into stride. He is likely to be sitting poised behind the pace from where he’ll extend strongly during the run home.
The only reserve is provided from the local Wayne and Tracy Steele kennels. Trevor Gibbs has been hanging around the midfield in his latest outings. He does own sound 457m form including a tidy best 25.60s winning 457m time. This son of Collision and Spirit Of Grace has no option but to jump straight onto the early pace if he secures a race start here.
Thursday NZRS Advanced Cambridge contenders includes (from left): Vikings; Draxler and reserve Trevor Gibbs
By Peter Fenemor
