Cameo Syd has always been a promising young northern-based greyhound, being competitive around the Manukau 527m circuit for around 11 months now. He is prepared at the Drury-located kennels operated by long time industry conditioner Ben Craik.
Pictured: Sunday’s Auckland hosted NZRS Advanced winner Cameo Syd seen here with some of the members of his owning Super Syd & Mangonui Hotel syndicates (from left) Ray Waters; John Roberts; Tracey Craik; Selwyn Loader
It was a competitive field of Kiwi bred chasers who contested Sunday’s running of the $12,000 NZRS Advanced final at the Manukau Stadium over 527m.
It was the unbeaten Karen Walsh trained, Gary Harding bred and owned Thrilling Talk who was warmly supported to take out the feature event as he sought to maintain his unbeaten eleven race career record. This son of Fabregas and Thrilling Ella quickly pushed forward when leaping from trap five and although he cut inwards during the early rush for positions, he seized the rail and led the field into the first turn.
Ranging up on his outer was Cameo Syd, while his litter sister Kiwi Gal was sitting just in behind them. Racing down the back straight it appeared that Thrilling Talk had his rivals covered even with Cameo Syd sitting handy on his outer.
Cameo Syd refused to go away and he turned into the home straight still out wide, but racing on terms with Thrilling Syd. It was Cameo Syd who proved too strong during the run home with the son of Kilty Lad and Kiwi Girl clearing out to secure his biggest career win by a 2.5 length margin, clocking 30.52s for his 527m assignment.
Thrilling Talk kicked on solidly, being the next to arrive home. Shannon trainer Deb Edlin has been trekking up to the Manukau Stadium for the last three weekends with her charge Jinja Flash. She was rewarded for her driving efforts when being able to watch her charge overcome early traffic problems to improve from a midfield position from where he pressed on stoutly with this son of Swift Fancy and Jinjawinja claiming his third placing a further length behind.
It was also a great result for Cameo Syd’s breeder James Black who picked up the $3,150 Breeders portion of the stake available. He had successfully raced Kiwi Girl throughout her career and other members of this litter includes the talented greyhounds Kiwi Boy and Kiwi Gal along with Does He Exist who has just recently started racing.
As mentioned Cameo Syd has turned into a competitive chaser and his owners, the Super Syd & Mangonui Hotel syndicates ca n look forward to further success with this 32kg greyhound. His main looming assignment is the New Zealand Derby over Easter while prior to that Ben Craik, along with his wife Barbara and daughters Lisa and Tracey will keep him ticking over, adding to the $31,958 stakes earnings he has so far won. He has compiled that tally from ten wins and 14 minor placings from his 37 career races too date.
The full Manukau NZRS Advanced podium with Cameo Syd being joined by runner up Thrilling Talk, handled by Marsha Black while Deb Edlin is with her third placed Jinja Flash; Cameo Syd’s mum Kiwi Girl seen here after one of her 21 career wins and with her owner and trainer James Black following a Cambridge win.
By Peter Fenemor
