Northern Region Addington Group Race Domination
It was complete northern domination at the Addington Raceway on Thursday evening with greyhounds trained in the region stylishly winning both of the Group 1 races contested. Pinny Mack controlled the pace throughout when he landed his bold $125,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup victory, while earlier Buddy Boom gallantly held on for his $35,000 The Fitz Sports Bar Galaxy Sprint win.
Pictured: The rain-drenched Pinny Mack landing his NZ Cup victory (pic Dave Robbie)
Pinny Mack, who is prepared in the Maramarua Forest-based Steve Clark kennels, hummed away from his six-trap draw and he was never headed when he delivered his bold freewheeling 30.11s victory in the $125,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup in steady rain.
“Ecstatic; unbelievable,” was the initial reaction from Clark. “I knew he was right when leaving home, however he started vomiting just out of Wellington. I considered scratching Pinny but decided to carry on when he settled better. He’s one hell of a tough greyhound,” he added.
A Group 1 title still eludes the talented chaser Dyna Dave who, after being caught in some early jostling, charged home late for his 1.5 length second placing. It was the same placing the Craig Roberts trained chaser occupied in last year’s cup.
85-year-old master trainer Ray Adcock continues to mentor quality greyhounds as seen by his runner Start The Show finishing just a head further behind.
The Fitz Sports Bar Galaxy Sprint was a total triumph for the “grassroots” kennels. Partners Jared Udy and Denise Cottam train from their Te Kauwhata kennels. Their greyhounds are rarely sighted at the elite level of racing.
There was a look of disbelief on their faces, which gave way to sheer joy when their sharp sprinter Buddy Boom led home his rivals in the Group 1 295m sprint just prior to the rain setting in.
The sprinter controlled the pace around the turn from where he gamely stuck to his task to repel the serious late challenge that the Daniel Lane prepared race favourite Bolty threw at him. Buddy Boom held by a head margin, recording 17.17s for his biggest career win.
“I’m pinching myself as this win means everything for us. It’s an absolute magic result. We always knew that Buddy was a special greyhound, but wow this is phenomenal,” stated Udy.
It was a night under the stars for Cottam as she not only boxed away Buddy Boom, but she was at the lure pull up three races later to catch the NZ Cup winner Pinny Mack, therefore she handled both of the Group 1 winning greyhounds. “It’s still sinking in – it’s a surreal feeling,” she advised.
Buddy Boom holding off the late challenge lodged by Bolty to win the Galaxy Sprint and pictured after his victory (pic Dave Robbie); A rather reflective and wet trainer Steve Clark with his NZ Cup winner Pinny Mack
More NZ Cup meeting review details will be posted early next week.
Denise Barron
Canterbury greyhound racing lost a long-time valued industry participant with the sad recent passing of the local administrator Denise Barron who has been an integral part of the Christchurch GRC Board for many years. Denise and her late husband Graham for many years sponsored the Group 2 Barron’s Supplies South Island Championships.
A service for Denise will be held at the Addington Raceway at 3 pm on Monday afternoon.
Denise Barron
By Peter Fenemor
