The semi finals for the two rich Group 1 races which will be decided during next Thursday’s New Zealand Cup meeting at the Addington Raceway have been contested and the box draws for both races have been completed. The $125,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup and the $30,000 The Fitz Sports Bar Galaxy Sprint headline what will be a feature packed twelve race card.
Pictured: The new NZ Cup favourite Bago Bye Bye pictured here delivering his slick 29.63s NZ Cup 520m semi win (pic Dave Robbie)
Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup Semis
Dyna Dave had to work hard, very hard to carry his supporters through to victory in the first of the NZ Cup semis for his conditioner Craig Roberts. He overcame some early buffering to run down the pacemaker to claim his 520m win in 30.22s by three quarters of a length.
It was the Dave and Jean Fahey prepared Mr. Matt who undertook the pace making duties and he was rewarded for those tactics with a NZ Cup final field position when only just going under. Blazin’ Aubrey kicked on solidly for her semi third another two lengths behind. Her effort was sufficient for this Lisa Cole trained chaser to be awarded the first reserve possie for the final.
The Addington 29.59s 520m track record holder Bago Bye Bye fairly sizzled through his semi assignment when he claimed the second semi in a slick 29.63s for the Fahey’s. That time now provides the former Queensland chaser with the quickest two 520m times ever posted at the Christchurch headquarter venue.
It was the Mark Robinson trained outsider David’s Legacy who bravely chased after the freewheeling pacemaker and he will be returning for the decider after finishing eight lengths behind the pacesetter in second.
The hot pace set by Bago Bye Bye assisted to carry through the Craig Roberts prepared Avenger Bale into the second reserve position for the final when he arrived home another three lengths astern, meaning he finished up as the second fastest third place getter.
2018 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup semi winners Dyna Dave (left) and Bago Bye Bye, along with the semi second place getters Mr. Matt and David’s Legacy – pics Dave Robbie
Pinny Mack has no issues whatsoever in jumping away from the tricky five trap. He seized the early race lead from that trap and he was always in control of his semi rivals when cruising to his tidy 29.94s win for his northern trainer Steve Clark.
Quistis Bale injected some spice into the race combo’s as she kicked on solidly when being involved in the chase after the pacemaker. Finishing up as a four length semi second now provides her trainer Matt Roberts with a NZ Cup finalist.
Blazin’ Carter derived obvious benefit from his NZ Cup heat outing when he also dictated the pace to his rivals when completing his semi assignment in 30.03s for Cole. Advancing with him from this semi into the final will be Dirk Bale for Craig Roberts, who gamely stuck to his task when finishing 2.25 lengths behind.
2018 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup semi winners Pinny Mack (left) and Blazin’ Carter, along with the semi second place getters Quistis Bale and Dirk Bale – pics Dave Robbie
The Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup box draw (with the TAB Final Field quotes – option 989) is: 1 Bago Bye Bye $2.10, 2 Pinny Mack $3, 3 Mr. Matt $16, Dyna Dave $6, 5 Dirk Bale $10, 6 Blazin’ Carter $10, 7 David’s Legacy $101, 8 Quistis Bale $61 – reserves 9 Blazin’ Aubrey $26, 10 Avenger Bale $12
The Fitz Sports Bar Galaxy Sprint semis
Dave and Jean Fahey will trap away the early favourites for both of the Group 1 finals on Thursday evening as the sharp sprinter Sheza Rippa slipped through her semi 295m dash in a smart 17.01s. She has been on fire since she resumed from spell with this being her fourth straight win since then.
Dizzy Banjo provides the winning trainer for the last two Galaxy Sprints, Calum Weir with a finalist after he finished solidly for his four length second placing. Idol Hot recovered from an awkward start when she pressed on late for her third placing just three quarters of a length further behind. In doing so the Marcie Flipp prepared sprinter becomes the first reserve for the final.
Alison Lee is also a previous winning Galaxy Sprint trainer and she will be looking to Chitina Tin to provide her with another victory after her charge delivered his bold 17.18s semi win. Oskitz overcame a tardy start to finish solidly for his conditioner Craig Roberts and his four length second sees him returning to contest the decider.
The Fitz Sports Bar Galaxy Sprint semi winners: Sheza Rippa (left) and Chitina Tin, along with the semi second place getters Dizzy Banjo and Oskitz – pics Dave Robbie
You wouldn’t have known that the regular sharp Hatrick 305m Friday sprinter Sir Duggie was making his Addington track debut as he quickly speared forward to seize the race lead and by doing so nailing his stylish 17.14s semi win for his trainer Lisa Cole.
Craig Roberts will have two contenders in both Group 1 finals as Platinum Marshal will also return after he kicked on solidly to claim his 3.25 length semi second placing. Goldstar Jay Jay made a bold beginning from the one trap and winding up just a neck back was sufficient for this Steve and Bonnie Evans prepared sprinter to claim the second reserve possie.
Fired Up Jasper has been a consistent Addington 295m sprinter for over twelve months now. That consistency is going to be rewarded with a place in the final field after he delivered his pace making 17.16s semi win for his trainer Bruce Dann.
John McInerney has also mentored a previous Galaxy Sprint winner and he will be returning with Sergess for the decider after he gamely chased after the pacemaker to deliver his 5.25 length semi second.
The Fitz Sports Bar Galaxy Sprint semi winners: Sir Duggie (left) and Fired Up Jasper, along with the semi second place getters Goldstar Jay Jay and Sergess – pics Dave Robbie
The Fitz Sports Bar Galaxy Sprint box draw (with the TAB Final Field quotes – option 990) is: 1 Sir Duggie $4.80, 2 Oskitz $16, 3 Fired Up Jasper $10, 4 Dizzy Banjo $16, 5 Sergess $26, 6 Sheza Rippa $2.30, Chitina Tin $3.20, 8 Platinum Marshal $18 – reserves 9 Idol Hot $14, 10 Goldstar Jay Jay $51
- pics supplied by Dave Robbie – drobbie91@gmail.com – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos
By Peter Fenemor
