The big Monday mover on the leader board for the $28,000 City Of Palmerston North Golden Chase was the consistent Lisa Cole prepared Bigtime Levi. His strong 25.89s 457m win now sees him occupying the third possie in order of qualifying for the March 29 set of four, two dog matches over 457m.

Pictured: Bigtime Levi who was the Golden Chase leader board big mover from Monday’s racing

It was an appropriate time for this son of Spring Gun and Bigtime Karen to stake his Golden Chase claim as Monday’s event was his 100th race day outing. It was his 25th career victory and after adding in a further 40 minor placings now sees his stake earnings sitting at a tidy $103,593.

Bigtime Levi now heads back to the Hatrick Raceway where he holds two 520m racing engagements. First up on Friday he’ll run out his C4 nominations (race 10, trap 8), then Bigtime Levi returns there on Monday afternoon where he’ll seek to defend his $6,500 Croucher & Crowder Taranaki Cup title (race 11) which he won last year.

The previous Golden Chase second placed contender Monster Fish has now been officially withdrawn from the series. We still see the Cole prepared Ask King Jeff heading the rankings with his 25.78s 457m clock, followed by Big League Diva (25.83s) for Gary and Sandra Fredrickson. Bigtime Levi now comes in next with his 25.89s time.

Sunday’s strong $90,000 Auckland Cup winner Diddilee occupies fourth for Angela Turnwald with his 25.93s gallop. Cole has You Can Be (25.97s) sitting next, then Turnwald features with Fusion Cronulla (25.98s).

A couple of promising Cole prepared youngsters round out the current top eight positions with Bigtime Lilah and Bigtime Rocco who both hold a 26.05s clock. Also sitting in an equal possie on the reserves bench with 26.11s times are Fare Dodger (Mark Goodier) and Kamada Park (Turnwald).

City Of Palmerston North Golden Chase qualifying continues next Wednesday afternoon at the Manawatu Raceway (owing to the Taranaki annual meeting on Monday). The final day of qualifying is the following Monday which features the high profile Commentators Day Out (March 18).

It is anticipated to be a full on afternoon of qualifying action, especially as the recent Auckland Cup greyhounds who hold Golden Chase nominations are expected to make last minute qualifying attempts.

 
The outstanding City Of Palmerston North Golden Chase trophy; the current Golden Chase leader board greyhound Ask King Jeff

By Peter Fenemor