The Lights Shined Brightly At Hatrick
“This win is dedicated to Poppa,” advised Sam Lozell after he mentored his exciting greyhound He’s All Shine to stylishly win Friday’s running of the $46,000 Accell Therapy Spion Rose Cup. It was the 23-year-old’s first training success at the elite Group 1 level.
Pictured: Trainer Sam Lozell, with his partner Georgie Clarke and their son Blake with their Spion Rose Group 1 winning greyhound He’s All Shine
Sam Lozell was referring to his late grandfather Max Mathews, who passed on earlier this year. Max was a leading conditioner in his own right, training numerous quality greyhounds over many decades. Included amongst his training successes was Cutie’s Sister who he mentored to win the 1995 edition of the Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar, which was before his grandson Sam was even born.
He’s All Shine was lining up for just his second New Zealand race after crossing the Tasman, having raced the bulk of his early career at Sydney’s Wentworth Park. He ran an eye-catching Spion Rose Cup heat third which saw him booking the first possie on the reserves bench for the decider. He secured his race start from trap seven following the injury related scratching of the quickest heat winner Thrilling Talk (30.06s) whom He’s All Shine finished a 3.75 length heat third to.
Last year’s Spion Rose Cup winner, the now-retired Nature’s Gent, led the field to the 520m traps. It was the Lisa Cole prepared Big Time Ocean who won the break from the eight trap and she led the field into the first turn.
He’s All Shine tracked through after her to possie himself handy to the pace (out wide) with Emgrand Park (Angela Turnwald) and Hey Fernando (Gary and Sandra Fredrickson) racing on his immediate inner.
An incident when rounding the first turn saw two favoured contenders losing their stake claims when Thrilling Vice tangled with Dyna Dave, relegating both of them back to the rear group. The race favourite Spring Falcon was back in the field after making his normal slow start.
He’s All Shine pushed forward to race on the outer of Big Time Ocean when rounding the home turn. From there he extended strongly during the run home to cut clear, securing his Group 1 title by a 1.5 length margin. This son of Barcia Bale and She’s Scandalous stopped the clock in a handy 30.05s.
It sure was a grandstand finish for the minor placings, which after close perusal of the photo finish revealed that midget sized (23.7kg) Big Time Ocean, who is a member of the January 2018 whelped litter between Fernando Bale and Sweet Rubyjane, held for the runners up prize by the barest possible margin. That ensured the $1,000 Breeder’s bonus payment for being the first New Zealand bred greyhound to finish in this Group 1 final was paid to Brendon Cole.
It was the Dave and Jean Fahey prepared Spring Falcon who rocketed home late to snatch the third placing and in doing so he shaded Emgrand Park by a half head margin for the final postrace podium position.
The Accell Therapy Spion Rose Cup winner He’s All Shine and he’s with Sam Lozell, Georgie Clarke and Accell Therapy sponsor Kylie James with the Spion Rose trophy; runner up Big Time Ocean with handler Ella Cole; third-placed Spring Falcon with his co-trainer Dave Fahey
“I thought when he was handy to the pace at the 305m traps that he would be hard to beat, especially with the strong finishers being back in the field and not being in a position to strike back. He’s All Shine has strong midrace pace, which he used going down the back (straight). I was confident then that he as strong enough to win it at that stage.
“I’m over the moon – it is a dream come true to train a Group 1 winner. It means everything to me. I was thrilled to have everyone there (family, including mum Maxine). I couldn’t have done this without Georgie’s (Clarke, partner) help, especially after my accident,” added Lozell, who attended the podium with his right wrist encased in plaster following a recent accident.
He also reflected on his Poppa. “He’s All Shine’s kennel name is Max, named after Poppa. He liked fawn greyhounds and this bloke is a fawn dog. He would have a share in him if he was still here,” he added about the Racing K9 Syndicate owned Group 1 winner.
Lozell also acknowledged the assistance he received from the Australian based Joe Lannutti who heads up the Punters HQ racing syndicate who has and still successfully races numerous greyhounds in New Zealand. “I asked Joe to source us a greyhound after I lost Shooter’s Hill (Silver Collar runner up). He came up with He’s All Shine and we’re very grateful to him for that.” Joe Lannutti is offering the “right” Aussie dogs for the New Zealand market and he’s prepared to assist to arrange sale packages like he did with He’s All Shine – [email protected]
Leading the Accell Therapy Spion Rose Cup field to the Hatrick 520m traps was last year’s winner, the now-retired Nature’s Gent, seen here with Courtney Turnwald; He’s All Shine was also the centre of attention within the Hatrick grandstand afterwards; lead commentator Mark Rosanowski shared the meeting commentary duties with Brian Martin, Matt Gardiner and Andy McCook – Roso is pictured here the guest Sky Racing Catching Pen co-host presenter Jason Lincoln along with meeting organiser Paul Freeman
By Peter Fenemor
