Two Kennels Dominate Monday $12K NZRS Final
It’s a two kennel clash in Monday’s decider for the $12,000 NZRS Advanced final over the 457m trip. In fact the entire series from the heat stages featured talented New Zealand bred greyhounds racing from the strong Lisa Cole and Karen Walsh kennels.
NZRS Advanced heat winner Bigtime Cooper with his handler Georgie Cole (pic Palmerston North GRC)
It was a heat win each for both kennels with the recent $30,000 Accell Therapy Wanganui Cup winner Bigtime Cooper taking out his heat in a handy 25.77s. He didn’t display the electric early pace he owns when this son of Spring Gun and Night Pearl exited from the five trap. However he quickly got into his work, seizing the race lead to control the pace around the turn to secure his heat win by a 2.5 length margin. He moves out to the seven trap for this decider.
It was a win for Walsh in the other heat when her charge Thrilling Vice, who was also coming off the back of a Group race victory, led throughout to nail his 25.98s heat win. This son of Fabregas and Thrilling Quest is in solid current form as by his three last start victories. He is poised to deliver another competitive effort from the two trap here.
The talented Thrilling Amigo is the other Walsh prepared contender who was required to do a tremendous amount of work, when after a moderate start from trap eight, he was held wide going into and rounding the big sweeping bend. It was determined effort by this litter brother to Thrilling Vice. It would pay to ignore the 10.5 length margin that the 24.96s Cambridge 457m track record holder went under by to Bigtime Cooper in this heat. He will be sighted wearing the pink racing vest again on Monday.
Now we go back to the balance of the Cole prepared runners, which includes both reserves. Geez Bigtime Levi has been a marvelously consistent greyhound ever since his since his smart 30.19s August 2 2017 520 winning race debut at the Hatrick Raceway 134 races ago. This son of Spring Gun and Bigtime Karen has now earned $140,867 in stakes. He stretched out nicely during the run home for his 2.5 length heat second to Bigtime Cooper. He won’t object about being required to race from six trap for the 23rd time in his career here.
Palmerston North NZRS Advanced heat winner Thrilling Vice is seen here with his trainer Karen Wash (pic Palmerston North GRC); Thrilling Amigo; Bigtime Levi
On the other side of the experience coin is Bigtime Seth who will be contesting his 19th race. This son of Barcia Bale and Marlisa will exit from the four trap after he pressed on stoutly from the midfield to claim his 1.5 length heat third behind Thrilling Vice. This bloke is still at the improving stage of his career.
Bigtime Archie, who after settling in the midfield when jumping from trap eight, improved when rounding the turn and pressed on for his length heat second behind Thrilling Vice. This litter brother to Bigtime Cooper has no option but to step away smartly from his tricky five trap draw here.
Bigtime Leads is an older full brother to Bigtime Cooper and Bigtime Archie who gamely chased after the pace setting Thrilling Vice. He didn’t kick on during the run home, although he clinched his place in this field when finishing a 2.5 length fourth. He will be sighted wearing the white racing vest on Monday.
Bigtime Homie will be loaded away into the ace trap, which was the same trap he hopped away from in his prior Wanganui Cup outing. This daughter of Premier Fantasy and Sweet As Bro had settled in the midfield pack in his heat. From there he plugged on during the run home for his eleven length heat fourth to Bigtime Cooper. He must jump straight onto the early pace here.
Palmerston North NZRS Advanced contenders includes from left: Bigtime Leads; Bigtime Archie; Bigtime Homie
Bigtime Annie is yet another member from the second Spring Gun and Night Pearl litter and she occupies the first possie on the reserves bench here. She owns a fair amount of early pace and it is that asset she must use if she’s racing here after her heat fifth placing in behind Thrilling Vice.
There is no denying the sheer ability that the second reserve All About Space owns. However she has turned in a bit of an enigma of a chaser for her army of owners. At times this daughter of All About Space and Spot On Maggie is electric – her slick 25.68s best winning 457m time here confirms that. She didn’t make the best of starts in her heat which led to traffic issues for her before eventually finishing fifth in the heat taken out by Bigtime Cooper.
The NZRS Advanced final is the last leg of the popular guaranteed Monday TAB $15,000 Pick which will be held over both meetings – Leg 1 meeting 3, Legs 2-6 meeting 3.
Pawnote
The progressive Palmerston North GRC has circuited the following proposed event document, which is a very worthy event to consider. Please contact the club at [email protected]
Hi all,
The Palmerston North Greyhound Club is looking to run a seminar for those who are interested in learning more about the greyhound racing industry.
We currently have leading Australian trainer Jason Mackay and breeder Marty Hallinan both showing willingness to be part of this event.
The club is intrigued to know what your thoughts would be around this, if there is interest, what else you would like to know more about etc. Any thoughts/ideas etc would be most helpful.
Many thanks,
Palmerston North Greyhound Club Committee
By Peter Fenemor
