Galaxy Sprinters Ready To Sizzle

Short course sprinting is all about mistake free racing. Especially so at Group 1 level. Take a look at Thursday’s $35,000 The Fitz Sports Bar Galaxy Sprint field (race 6) at the Addington Raceway. The winner of this sizzling dash will be the greyhound who does everything right. A realistic postrace podium case can be built for all eight contenders who earnt their right to contest this sprint after their professional 295m heat and semi sprints.

 

Pictured: The exciting young sprinter Bolty is seen here delivering his sharp 16.87s Galaxy Sprint semifinal win (pic Dave Robbie)

 

There’s a wow factor in this year’s edition of the Galaxy Sprint. Bolty ($2.10 & $1.22 – TAB Final Field & Top 3) has been absolutely sensational since he first placed his paws on a greyhound track eight races ago for his trainer Daniel Lane. Bolty lines up in the Galaxy Sprint final unbeaten – seeking his ninth straight career victory. Staggering describes his wins with four of his 295m sprints being sub 17s turbo charge efforts – like his 16.87s semifinal win.

 

The only possible area of concern for this fella is his moderate starts. He has been a tad slow leaving the traps in some of his sprints. Drawing trap five in the decider potentially makes his task just that little bit more difficult. But you just cannot ignore what this sharp sprinter has done so far in his short career.

 

“It is a privilege to train Bolty. He is such a professional greyhound who knows what he’s doing, which I feel he can only further improve on. I know he can go quicker if he jumps, but yes his starts and his first time under the lights (Thursday) is the worry I have about the final,” advised Lane. He added, “I’ve been very lucky to have great people like Ray Adcock teaching me, while Jose and Donald (Arthur, owners) are great people to train for. Everyone helping me has been fantastic – I really appreciate all of them.”

 

Speaking about the 85-year-old master trainer Ray Adcock who retains all the immense greyhound mentoring skills he has compiled over decades of high-class training. The GRNZ Hall of Fame Trainer will load away his sprinter Flora Dora ($12 & $2.60) into the one trap on Thursday. She has been solid in the series so far as seen by her 17.41s heat and 17.16s semi wins. She won her only previous career trap one race.

 

“She’s a real hard case little thing – her stubby legs work overtime. She has the draw and yes, she can get some of it providing she jumps onto the pace. She has worked good since her semi so it’s now over to her. I can’t see how they can beat Bolty though, especially if he gets clear early racing room,” confirmed the master mentor.   

 

Local conditioner Calum Weir knows a thing or three about Galaxy Sprint races. He has had a runner in the last six finals which includes winning it with his record breaking sprinter Swimming Goat (who is the proud father of six month old pups) in 2016 and 2017. He has qualified two finalists here.

 

Select Trick ($4 & $1.38) has had just the two 295m Addington sprints and she has been consistent in the series thus far winning her heat in 17.11s and her semi in 17.10s. She can only be improved and she will be sighted wearing the white racing vest on Thursday.

 

“This year’s Galaxy field is the toughest I’ve seen since I’ve been involved in it (finals). I feel that perhaps my two have drawn the wrong way around. Select Trick has done everything right so far and hopefully she does so in the final. She’s a strong dog so the 295m here is a breeze for her. She has come through the series in great order,” said Weir.     

 

Mustang Tully ($9 & $2.20) hasn’t been displaying the lid pinging ability that she was known for in her Australian sprints. Her trainer feels that she’s about to turn the corner in that department after her 17.32s heat win and her 3.75 length semi second to Buddy Boom.

 

“I took her to a chiropractor on Monday which ironed out a couple of minor niggles she had on her back. She used to fly the traps in Aussie, which she hasn’t done here yet, although she has been finishing her races stronger. I’m expecting an improved sprint from her in the final,” confirmed Weir about his charge who will hop away from trap six.

 
  

Delivering their respective The Fitz Sports Bar Galaxy Sprint semi wins was Flora Dora (left) and Select Trick, while her kennelmate Mustang Tully produced a solid heat second placing (pics Dave Robbie)

 

Buddy Boom ($4.20 & $1.38) is the Bolty of the northern region and this Jared Udy and Denise Cottam prepared slippery sprinter has ready adapted to racing at Addington in style. His 17.20s heat and 17.10s semi wins too date in this series confirms that factor. He will be loaded away into the four trap in the final.

 

“He has improved in his sprints down there and we expect further improvement from him in the final. It’s all about picking the jump for him as we’ll like to see him in clear early racing air. He travels brilliantly so that isn’t an issue for him. We’re over the moon with him being in the final and the way he has come through his races down there,” said Cottam.

 

Lisa Cole mentored Sir Duggie to victory in last year’s Galaxy Sprint final. She’s returning with two contenders for this edition. Trojan Hoarse ($16 & $3.10) won Group 1 457m and 520m finals last year and the 2018/19 NZ Greyhound of the Year finalist has done a great job since he has been reverted to sprint racing. He was exempted from contesting the Galaxy heats, joining the series in the semis where he delivered a bold 1.75 length second to Select Trick. This fella certainly won’t be fazed about drawing the eight trap here which presents him with swooping claims.

 

“That was a top sprint from him when having his first 295m sprint down there. His draw is okay for him as he can sit out there and use his strength, especially if there’s any trouble inside him. He’s all set to go on Thursday,” said Brendon Cole.

 

Kennelmate Bigtime Kiss ($21 & $3.60) was sound in both of her Galaxy sprints so far, finishing 3.5 lengths behind Buddy Boom (heat) and 4.25 lengths astern of Bolty (semi). Both of those races were delivered from the eight trap. She isn’t expected to have any issues about jumping away from trap two here.

 

“If she picks the jump, then yes she can be right up there in the finish. She is strong and she has done really good down there so far. She worked good during the weekend and she is all set for her return back down there,” stated Cole.

 

  

Buddy Boom is seen here delivering his The Fitz Sports Bar Galaxy Sprint semi win, while the pair of Lisa Cole contenders Trojan Hoarse and Bigtime Kiss both finished second in their semis   

      

It’s super to see the Culvie boys being represented in the final. They have been long-time greyhound owners and apparently, they will turn out in force to support their charge Culvie Ness ($61 & $5.25) for the Group 1 final. Her trainers Tony Hart and Kirsty Taylor are absolutely rapt to qualify her which came via her 1.75 length semi second to Flora Dora after winning her heat in 17.28s.

 

“She has grown another leg lately but yes it sure is a red hot field. The Culvie boys are over the moon just to have a Group 1 runner. She must either ping out or miss it a tad to avoid early traffic. She has pulled up really great and she worked really nicely on Sunday,” Hart said.

 

Local trainer Jason Dun provides both reserves. Colbert ($21 & $3.60) is the first reserve after he pressed on stoutly for his 5.25 length semi third to Buddy Boom. Kennelmate Versailles ($16 & $3.10) occupies the second possie on the bench after he kicked on boldly for his 3.25 length semi third behind Flora Dora. Take a look at both of these sprinters in the last race 295m sprint, which is the Galaxy Sprint consolation if they don’t secure race starts in the final.

 

  

Culvie Ness (left) who is a Galaxy Sprint contender, while the reserves are Colbert and Versailles – pics supplied by Dave Robbie