It’s Park’s Manawatu Cup Title

Sitting on the reserves bench was the key for success in the $6,500 Outback Trading Co. Manawatu Cup. Monday’s bold winner of the 457m decider Emgrand Park contested the final wearing the green and white racing stripes for his conditioner Angela Turnwald.

Pictured: Trainer Angela Turnwald with her Monday Manawatu Cup winner Emgrand Park (pic Sue – Palmerston North GRC)

Emgrand Park was loaded away into the three trap following the scratching of one of the leading contenders Thrilling Amigo.

It was a similar scenario in the previous week’s heats when the Matt Roberts prepared She’s For Us won her heat when she also carried the nine reserve racing vest.

Emgrand Park seized on the opportunity presented to him by jumping straight onto the early pace. Pushing up underneath him was Hey Fernando for Gary and Sandra Fredrickson, while Emgrand Park’s kennelmate Arden Emgrand held down the rail from the one trap. It was to be this trio of greyhounds who was going to dominate the rest of this feature event.

Hey Fernando led the field around the big, sweeping bend and he straightened up for the long grind up the home straight in control of the pace. He was gallant in doing so; however, he wasn’t able to fend off the strong late challenge that was thrown at him by Emgrand Park. 

Emgrand Park extended stylishly which saw him winning his Manawatu Cup title by a comfortable 2.5 length margin, clocking 25.97s for his 457m assignment. Hey Fernando was gallant in finishing as the bold runner up – he had been contesting short course sprints prior to this series. Arden Emgrand was solid in sticking to his task which saw him claiming third a further 1.5 lengths behind. There was another 4.25 lengths back to the Matt Roberts trained fourth place getter She’s For Us.

Emgrand Park has been a competitive chaser since he crossed the Tasman and entered Angela Turnwald’s Foxton based kennels. Included in his wins was his 30s Addington 520m victory in the $10,000 KidsCan Amazing Chase. His career record now stands at 41 races for 11 wins, 10 minor placings and $32,392 in stakes for his owner L Azzopardi.

The Outback Trading Co. Manawatu Cup podium with Emgrand Park and Angela Turnwald who are flanked by runner up Hey Fernando and co-trainer Gary Fredrickson, while Paul Freeman brought back the third-placed Arden Emgrand (pic Sue – Palmerston North GRC)

By Peter Fenemor