Throw him the red racing vest, then go and stand at the totalizator payout window. That’s the racing scenario for the demon trap one racing specialist Nature’s Gent. The multiple Group race winning greyhound Nature’s Gent added the $30,000 Barron’s South Island Championship title at Group 2 level to his glowing list of big ticket race wins when professionally annexed the 520m midwinter open class feature event at the Addington Raceway on Friday evening after he hopped away from the one trap.
Pictured: Nature’s Gent held out the fast finishing Dyna Dave to nail his Barron’s South Island Championship victory (pic Val Simpson)
The stake earning claims held by the Angela Turnwald, Foxton trained Nature’s Gent soared when he was allocated the ace trap to be loaded away into for the decider. The 2017 New Zealand Cup winner at this venue isn’t the quickest away from the traps and it was a midfield start he made when the 520m traps lifted.
Spearing out to set up the early pace from the three trap was Sailor Allen from the Craig Roberts locally based kennels. Tracking him into the first turn was the Ray Adcock prepared Double Speed, while another Robert’ trained contender Dyna Varsity was in contact with the pace after jumping from trap eight.
Tucked just in behind the early pace along the rail was Nature’s Gent. Settling back in the field after exiting from trap seven was the third Roberts’ trained finalist Dyna Dave who was the $2.90 race favourite.
Sailor Allen took the field down the back straight, while Nature’s Gent, who had received a saloon rails racing passage around the first turn, was ominously stalking the pace setter. Nature’s Gent railed underneath Sailor Allen on the home turn and then set sail for the judge who was to confirm a half length victory in 30.14s for Barney (kennel name).
Charging home late was Dyna Dave who claimed yet another Group race minor placing when winding up in the runner up possie. Dyna Varsity pressed on stoutly during the run home to secure third a further two lengths behind, while shading his gallant kennel mate Sailor Allen by a head margin, therefore providing the Roberts kennel with a clean sweep of the minor placings.
Barron’s South Island Championship winner Nature’s Gent with syndicate member Ritchie Jones; Paul Freeman and race handler Courtney Turnwald; runner up Dyna Dave was handled by his trainer Craig Roberts, while his son Dan brought back his third placed kennel mate Dyna Varsity
Double Speed wound up in sixth place which was sufficient for this a son of Dyna Double One and Birchbrook to be rewarded with the Breeders’ bonus payment which was attached to this Group 2 event for being the first New Zealand bred greyhound to finish.
“When you have the opportunity of receiving a decent draw at that level you have to use it. Nature’s Gent came out good and he nicely got the job done. Going into the home turn I felt he had the opposition covered,” commented the trainers’ partner Paul Freeman. Just to emphasis his point Nature’s Gent has now carried the red racing on 13 occasions – winning seven of those, while he placed in the other six races.
Paul Freeman acknowledged the long and valued association that Graham and Denise Barron has had with South Island Championships when they sponsored the race through their Barron’s Supplies company prior to Graham passing on.
“Winning this race means everything to us after living in Canterbury while training and racing greyhounds here a number of years ago. It is an honour to come back down here and to win this race which has been supported by Graham and Denise for so many years,” advised the now Foxton based current Palmerston North GRC President during his acceptance speech. The race presentation was attended by Denise Barron.
“Nature’s Gent has been a terrific greyhound for us and his owners,” he added about the The Bookie & Us owing syndicate. They have now benefited to the tune of $221,212 from the racing exploits of Nature’s Gent. That tally is a result of the 24 wins and 31 minor placings he has achieved from the 78 race day outings by this four and a half year old cash machine on paws.
“Angela will keep his races spaced. We thought of retiring him when he got to $200,000 in stake earnings, however he will tell us when he’s ready (to retire). He’ll take on the Amazing Chasing series now,” added Freeman. Nature’s Gent with his 30.14s Friday gallop actually places him currently second on the Addington 520m Amazing Chase leader board.
Dyna Dave is the current Amazing Chase Addington leader with his earlier 30.11s 520m clock. He also remains as probably the best middle distance greyhound in the country who hasn’t won a Group race title. “I felt Dave was beaten by another poor draw,” suggested Roberts.
As usual it was a quality Christchurch GRC undercard that supported the two Group races contested on Friday evening. Here’s a pictorial round up from those races.
The opening C3 295m sprint was narrowly taken out by the John McInerney trained Mitcham Reado (17.36s) – son Jonathon handled the kennels 535th winner for the season; Cawbourne Britty (17.33s) was the first of the Craig Roberts trained winners on the card when he took out his C4 295m dash; it was another C4 295m dash next up where Man Of Letter (17.38s) prevailed for his conditioner Allison Lee
The training duties for Beck Eleven (17.41s) has recently been taken over by Lisa Waretini and she brought back the C2 295m sprint winner to the podium; Allan Joyce has just a small team in work and that includes his C4 295m sprint winner Jinja Ellie (17.40s); Sheza Rippa her been sizzling since her conditioners Dave and Jean Fahey returned her to racing – she ripped through her C5 295m dash in a smart 17.07s for her handler Katie Wyllie
Opawa Tab (38.20s) controlled the pace throughout when the Robin Wales prepared stayer delivered her strong 645m win seen here with her happy handler Wendy Stephens; the NZ Oaks winner Opawa Hop (30.18s) resumed racing for Dave and Jean Fahey to stylishly win the open class 520m event; owner and breeder Mark Lin was delighted to handle the Dave and Jean Fahey mentored Gem (30.62s) and he deservedly savoured her C3 520m victory; the action was wrapped up by Busy Rocca (17.29s) who led throughout for her bold C5 295m win
By Peter Fenemor
