It is becoming a rather congested group of elite greyhounds who are all vying for the code’s ultimate award – the 2018/19 New Zealand Greyhound of the Year title.
Joining the contenders last Friday evening was the freewheeling Trojan Hoarse who in winning the $46,000 New Zealand Breeders Stake became yet another greyhound who has enjoyed dual Group race winning success during the current racing season.
Pictured: Trojan Hoarse following his Friday NZ Breeders Stakes victory
There are still a number of big ticket races to be decided over the final six weeks of the season and those events will feature greyhounds who have thrust their paws forward for consideration to be named as the nation’s leading greyhound.
Back in April the Lisa Cole prepared Trojan Hoarse led the New Zealand Derby field all the way. His known early pace is a distinct asset when racing at the top level and again it was his ability to pick the jump and hop straight into the early race lead that set up his Friday Group 1 victory after he exited from the three trap.
He defied the strong field of New Zealand bred greyhounds to run him down – they couldn’t as this Craig Rendle owned son of Fernando Bale and Ocotillo dictated the pace to his seven rivals which saw Trojan Hoarse gamely hanging on to claim his second Restricted Age Group 1 title by a half-length margin when completing his 520m assignment in 30.54s.
The winner’s kennelmate Bigtime Brody (Brett Lee – Sheer Miss) boldly chased after the pacemaker throughout and he pressed on solidly to secure his biggest career stake ($9,630) when finishing as the runner up.
Thrilling Talk (Fabregas – Thrilling Ella) has been a super competitive greyhound at the top level for a while now and he displayed track sense when he stylishly overcame his tricky five trap draw to slot himself into a position just in behind the pace. From there he kicked on solidly when finishing another 1.75 lengths back in third place for his conditioner Karen Walsh.
It was also an eye catching effort that the Marcie Flipp prepared Idol Dude (Swift Fancy – Idol Girl) produced to finish fourth another half-length adrift. He copped a first turn check, losing momentum and territory to his rivals at a crucial stage. He was sighted putting in some big late bounds.
Georgie and Ella Cole with Friday’s NZ Breeders’ Stakes winner Trojan Hoarse; Ella Cole brought back the runner up Bigtime Brody, while Karen Walsh did likewise with the third placed runner Thrilling Talk
“I’m real happy with the result as breeding the quinella in the NZ Breeders Stakes is extremely satisfying. I’m also very ecstatic for out long time kennel supporter Craig Rendle, who thoroughly deserves this win. We went to the top stud dog (Fernando Bale) and crossed him with a leading bitch (Ocotillo) and we got a very fast dog,” advised Brendon Cole, “Trojan Hoarse was given a brief freshen up heading into the NZ Breeders’ and his heat run topped him off nicely for this win. This win is a credit to the hard working staff we have back at home.”
Cole also made special mention of the earlier education he received from Queenslander’s Neville and Pauline Robson. “They taught me the values on the breeding, then the rearing of puppies and it their words that I have never forgotten. I have also been very fortunate to have visited and look at first hand and taken advice from some the world’s best greyhound rearer’s like Pat Buckley from Ireland and Pat Dalton, who is a USA Hall of Famer. I also toured England and Ireland with a number of the top breeders ad rearer’s from Australia when I went on a breeders’ tour a number of years ago. It is the valued knowledge gained from them that is greatly helping us now.”
The NZ Breeders’ Stakes win was a surreal moment for Georgie Cole as Trojan Hoarse turned into being the first Group 1 winner that she has personally handled herself. “Hey, this is pretty exciting – I was nearly in tears when Trojan won the race. I was a bit worried when they were racing down the back straight as Karen’s greyhound (Thrilling Talk) seemed to closing, however I thought he was holding his own alright during the run home. We have such a great team at home and they all deserve to share in this win,” she said.
“This win is a result of quality breeding and strong work ethics,” stated Craig Rendle. “It’s great to see the girls (Georgie and Ella Cole) stepping up and lead from the front at the track. It means so much watching and benefiting from the dedication of the whole Cole team – their success is just reward for the hard yards they put in.
“Trojan Hoarse has the uncanny knack of picking his race starts 95 times out of a 100. He is so balanced in the traps – freakish in the way he picks the jump so consistently. He also seems to have developed a second wind during the run home at the moment after having being picked up over the later stages earlier in his career,” suggested Rendle, who after going many years without tasting Group 1 success is now savouring success at the elite level.
“Yes it took a long time to get my first Group 1 winner, but as Robin Wales said to me back then, after you get your first win, the winners will start rolling in.” He is so right as he also joined with the Cole’s to quinella last year’s NZ Breeders’ Stakes race with Bigtime Tears prevailing over Bigtime Paddy.
The $23,060 NZ Breeders’ Stakes winning stake has propelled Trojan Hoarse’s career earnings out to $93,216 which is the result of 16 wins and 17 minor placings from his 48 race day outings.
By Peter Fenemor
