When it comes to Group 1 racing and more specifically the Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup you don’t have to look any further than the Canterbury-based kennels operated by Dave and Jean Fahey. On Thursday evening the couple produced their eighth New Zealand Cup winner. It has been a rush of winners by them for New Zealand’s richest ($125,000) greyhound race with the first of them coming in 2006.

Pictured: Bago Bye Bye storming to his NZ Cup victory (pic Dave Robbie)

Bago Bye Bye has been a sensation since he entered the Fahey kennels. He maintained his red hot form when he strongly out finished his race rivals to secure his NZ Cup title in 30 seconds flat.

Initially it was the Lisa Cole prepared Blazin’ Carter who pinged away from the 520m traps to set up the early pace. He was tracked through by Pinny Mack for Steve Clark. Bago Bye Bye settled just in behind this pair.

Heading into the final turn it was very apparent that Bago Bye Bye had his rivals covered and so it proved when he powered up the Addington straight to nail his biggest career victory by a 1.25 length margin.

Dyna Dave had settled in the rear group. From there the Craig Roberts trained chaser improved to be midfield going down the back straight. He unleashed during the run home where saw him striding into the runner up possie.

Kicking back solidly was a real brave Blazin’ Carter and he held onto the third placing another 2.5 lengths behind while he held a 1.75 length margin over Dirk Bale, another chaser from the Roberts kennels.

“We’re very proud of Bago Bye Bye and thrilled for his Brisbane owner Greg Watts. I thought he had his rivals covered at the end of the back straight. I was told when he arrived that he is a very quick greyhound – he has certainly proved that to us,” commented Dave Fahey about the current 29.59s Addington 520m track record holder.

Sir Duggie Dashes to his galaxy Victory

It was billed as a battle between the speed merchants and so it proved in the $35,000 The Fitz Sports Bar Galaxy Sprint. When the traps lifted for the Group 1 295m dash it was the Dave and Jean Fahey prepared race favourite Sheza Rippa that was first sighted.

Pushing up strongly underneath her was the well supported Sir Duggie for Lisa Cole.
Pushing forward around the outer was the Alison Lee trained Chitina Tin. Sir Duggie seized the race lead and he was never headed cruising to his win in 17.05s.

Sheza Rippa refused to flinch and she kicked solidly when going under by just three quarters of a length. Chitina Tin was bold in arriving home another 2.75 lengths astern.

“He’s a very sharp sprinter who is right up there with our other Galaxy winners (Black Tie & Hifi Allegro). It was the help and support from our team at home who got us through this and the NZ Cup series. Special acknowledgement goes to Ben Craik – without him driving me over the three weeks involved there’s no way I’ll be sitting here speaking to you about the Galaxy now,” confirmed Brendon Cole.

  
Dave and Jean Fahey with their NZ Cup winner Bago Bye Bye; Sir Duggie holding out Sheza Rippa to claim his Galaxy Sprint title (pic Dave Robbie); Brendon Cole and Ben Craik with Sir Duggie and his Galaxy trophy

Pawnote: More detained and comprehensive coverage including further comments from the Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup meeting will be published in the next On Track magazine

By Peter Fenemor