Competitive Spion Rose Cup Field
The race into the all important first turn is likely to play a big part in deciding the outcome of Friday’s $46,000 Accell Therapy Spion Rose Cup final. There are many possible scenarios during that early rush for positions, especially when taking into consideration the box draw for the field of eight outstanding greyhounds who will contest this Group 1 520m event. There’s an even split of five New Zealand and Australian bred greyhounds listed in the overall field.
Pictured: Thrilling Talk who delivered the quickest of the Spion Rose Cup heat times
Four heats held last Friday decided the final field which headlines a fantastic 12 race card with all races being chocker full of quality greyhounds. There will be a Punters Club operating during the evening which is assured to generate plenty of interest given the quality of the fields that has been carded for the meeting.
There’s a bonus TAB $5,000 injection into the Place 6 pool (races 7-12) which is anticipated to grow into a huge pool when taking into account the quality and depth contained in the six fields involved.
There will also an interesting blend of commentator skills heard during the meeting. Host caller Mark Rosanowski will call both Group races and some of the support races, with the balance of the card being commentated by Brian Marin, who make his welcome return to Hatrick, along with Matt Gardiner and Andy McCook. A guest Trackside TV presenter will be Jason Lincoln with the Sky Racing Catching Pen co-host crossing the Tasman after presenting last Friday’s massive TAB Melbourne Cup meeting track side at Sandown Park.
Commentators Mark Rosanowski, Brian Martin and Andy McCook (seen here Hatrick meeting organiser Paul Freeman) will all commentate Friday Hatrick races
Tirau trainer Karen Walsh produced two heat winners. Thrilling Talk ($10 & $2.80 – TAB Final Field & Top 3) delivered the quickest 30.07s heat time. He is a noted railer, therefore drawing trap seven isn’t were last season’s NZ Futurity winner here wants to be. He still must be respected.
“Yes, his draw worries me. He’s capable of winning it, but the first turn will decide his race. Hopefully it doesn’t get messy when racing into the first turn. In saying that it’s nice to see Talk back on track and he does race good down there. I’m happy with him going into the final,” confirmed Walsh.
Thrilling Vice ($6.50 & $2.10) is a consistent on the pace chaser as seen by his easy pace making 30.19s heat win. He owns stake claims here from his handy trap two draw. “Vice is a good consistent performer who gives it 110% every time he races. I’m quite happy with his draw and he’s all-ready to go on Friday,” said Walsh, who also acknowledged, like all trainers engaged here, the extra effort that the Wanganui GRC has put into stakes for the meeting. “It is brilliant what Wanganui has done and it’s pleasing to see trainers all around the country supporting them,” she added.
The big question many will be asking is, ‘can Dyna Dave ($4.50 & $1.65) breakthrough for his deserved and overdue Group 1 victory’? He produced his trademark racing style when again, after a moderate start, he charged home late for his two length second behind Thrilling Talk. He is required to exit from trap five here.
“It’s going to be the first turn that will decide his fate. Hatrick isn’t his best track and he has a crap draw. Look, if he’s anywhere near the pace when turning for home, then yes, he can out finish the others. He’s spot on for the final,” confirmed trainer Craig Roberts about his charge who has now banked $240,830.
Hey Fernando ($10 & $2.80) won his heat in 30.27s from this trap and he has drawn to make his presence felt again in this decider from the same trap here. He has been quietly brought along by his Foxton trainers Gary and Sandra Fredrickson and they rightfully feel that their charge is a genuine prospect here.
“Fernando in a real top purple patch of form. I reckon his time was better than his 30.27s when lined up against the other heat times as they watered the track after his heat, which I’m sure quickened it (track) up. Yes, I rate him good enough to tear this race off - his draw provides him with sound looking claims. He has come through his heat brilliantly, now it’s over to him,” said Gary Fredrickson.
Accell Therapy Spion Rose Cup contenders includes (from left): Thrilling Vice; Dyna Dave; Hey Fernando
Dave and Jean Fahey also provide two finalists and both must be respected especially when taking into account their brilliant Group 1 training record. The recent 520m races that Spring Falcon ($2.40 & $1.28) has produced here has been absolutely massive. His four-length heat second to Thrilling Vice was huge when, after settling in the rear group, he charged home late. He will be wearing the white racing vest on Friday.
Kennelmate Go Vegas ($12 & $3.10) gamely chased after Hey Fernando for his length heat second. He can and he must contest the early pace when he hops away from the four trap here.
“I can’t see Spring Falcon jumping with them, therefore, he’s racing for some early luck, especially as it’s a front runners track. He has the overall ability to feature here and yes, if he’s handy to the pace turning for home, then he grab some of it. Go Vegas is a handy dog, who can place himself handy to the pace, which is what he must do. Both of then pulled up okay from their heats,” Dave Fahey said.
Angela Turnwald trained the quinella in last year’s Spion Rose Cup, mentoring the recently retired Nature’s Gent to win, with Diddilee finishing second. In this edition, her kennels will be represented by Emgrand Park ($7 & $2.20). He stalked the pace making Big Time Ocean in his heat, out finishing her by a 2.5 length margin, clocking 30.21s. He will load away into trap six here.
“He’s going to have to make his own luck from his draw. He’s strong enough, but what happens when rounds the first turn will dictate his racing line. Angela eased back on him after his Addington races (two 645m wins during the NZ Cup meeting), so there should be some improvement in him for the final,” suggested Paul Freeman.
Completing the drawn field is the Lisa Cole prepared Big Time Ocean ($18 & $3.90). Geez, this girl is gutsy considering she’s a young 23.5 kg midget. She owns volumes of early pace and she has no alternative but to take a flyer when jumping from trap eight and try to cross the inside runners when heading into the first turn. She set up the pace in her heat, then she was cut back by a 2.5 length margin by Emgrand Park.
‘She’s an exceptionally quick dog who is still learning about the racing game. Being a wee little thing says she must clear them early. She can give a fair amount of cheek as she showed in her heat. She’s all set to go on Friday,” said Brendon Cole.
The Cole kennel also provides the second reserve with Big Time Seth ($12 & $3.10). This bloke has matured into a rather nice greyhound as seen by his bold 1.2 length heat third to Hey Fernando. Two races ago he produced a slick 25.76s Manawatu 457m gallop. Take a look at him in the race 6 C5 520m event if he doesn’t get a race start here.
Accell Therapy Spion Rose Cup contenders includes (from left): Spring Falcon; Emgrand Park and reserve Big Time Seth
The first reserve He’s All Shine ($12 & $3.10) caught the eye when his trainer Sam Lozell produced him for his solid first New Zealand race start in his heat. He was bold when finishing up 3.75 lengths astern of Thrilling Talk and he would have derived a fair amount of benefit from that outing. He holds claims in the race 5 C4 520m event if he isn’t racing in this event.
By Peter Fenemor