Dyna Dave firmly pushed his paws forward as the major contender for the looming $30,000 South Island Champs when he stylishly won two Addington 520m races last week. Included was his successful defense his $6,500 Garrard’s ‘Connie Smallbridge Memorial’ Ashburton Cup title. And it was Opawa Lara who stylishly won Tuesday’s Southland hosted $8,500 NZRS Graduation final.
Pictured: Dyna Dave delivering his easy Ashburton Cup win (pic Val Simpson)
It was another hugely successful meeting for the Ashburton GRC as they held their annual TAB meeting at the Addington Raceway on the Queen’s Birthday holiday Monday.
The feature Ashburton Cup turned into a repeat win with last year’s 29.96s Cup winner Dyna Dave going a smidgen quicker this year when he clocked 29.95s. It was all over as a contest when Dyna Dave positioned himself handy to the pace when rounding the first turn. The Craig Roberts prepared chaser took over when entering the back straight and from that point it was simply a case of what his winning margin was going to be.
Dyna Dave’s kennelmate Avenger Bale made a forward move when heading towards the home turn and he gamely chased the pacesetter from that point with a 3.25 length margin separating the pair at the judge. Finishing solidly was the Steve and Bonnie Evans prepared Goldstar Sydney and she was just as easily clear in the third placing 3.75 lengths behind the runner up and the same margin in front of Bahama Queen from the Jason Dunn kennels.
The talented Dyna Dave has now been to the races on 63 occasions, winning 28 of them and he has placed in another 21 races. That all adds up to a tidy $124,271 in stake earnings for his owner Brenden Wheeler.
Dyna Dave was handled by Chris Milne and he is seen here at the podium with Janine McCook; bringing back the runner up was Steven Wanhalla, while it was Lyndsay McQuillan who returned with the third placed Goldstar Sydney – pics Val Simpson
Opawa Lara Returns Bonus Breeders’ Dollars for the Opawa Racing Team
Making a tidy start from the one trap set up the win for the race favourite Opawa Lara in Tuesday’s running of the $8,500 NZRS Graduation final at Ascot Park. The Robin Wales prepared greyhound had been the quickest qualifier (26.18s) from the three 457m heats held two weeks ago.
Opawa Lara jumped straight onto the pace, while it was Opawa Magic from the Dave and Jean Fahey kennels who pushed forward from trap three, while also making his presence felt from the eight trap was the John McInerney trained Cosmic Ruben.
Cosmic Ruben assumed control of the pace when this son of Cosmic Rumble and Punch On Jamie led into the big sweeping bend. Cutting through along the rail was Opawa Lara and this pair opened up a break on the chasing pack.
The railing tactics used by Opawa Lara saw her seizing the race lead during the long run up the Ascot Park straight and while Cosmic Ruben remained in close attendance it was the pacemaker who proved too strong when she claimed her feature win over a gallant Cosmic Ruben by a length, clocking 26.51s.
It was a blanket finish to sort out the third placing two lengths further behind. The Steve and Bonnie Evans trained Goldstar Ashton gained a place in the final following the scratching of his kennelmate Goldstar Vegas. This son of Yella Mustard and Know Love Affair finished strongly to snatch the third placing over the locally Bronwyn Eade prepared Bartholomew Cub (Dyna Vikkers – Opawa Rob) by the barest possible margin.
Opawa Lara is a member of the August 2016 whelped Dyna Lachlan and Opawa Cassidy litter that was bred and is raced by the Opawa Racing team. Her seven wins and six minor placings from her 28 race day starts has now yielded her owners with $16,605 excluding Breeders’ bonus payments.
Opawa Lara delivering her Tuesday Ascot Park NZRS Gradation win; a delighted Wendy Stephens brought Opawa Lara back to the podium; joining Opawa Lara at the podium was runner up Cosmic Ruben and the third placed Goldstar Ashton - pics supplied by Dave Robbie – drobbie91@gmail.com – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos
By Peter Fenemor
