The Stayers Are In Action Monday Afternoon

Nancy Cobain was regarded as the “Queen” when it came to training staying greyhounds, which is confirmed by the unprecedented five winners she mentored to win the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar. Nancy is remembered by the annual Group 2 staying race which is raced in her name at the Manawatu Raceway.

Pictured: Last season’s Nancy Cobain winner Don’t Knocka Gee

Three heats held over the 660m distance this Monday afternoon will decide the finalists who will return to contest the $16,000 final next Monday. Here’s a look at those heat contenders, along with their respective TAB Futures and Top 3 quotes.

Nancy Cobain – heat 1, race 10 (meeting 9) – Also the first leg of the terminating TAB Pick 6

1 Tradition $14 & $4: His two staying wins was delivered at Addington over 645m, while his Ascot Park 630m win is more significant owing to it being on a one-turn track. He has won both of his previous races from the one trap.   

2 Djay Dynamix $16 & $4.70: He has recently been stepped up to staying races, with his sole win being over the Hatrick 645m trip (37.98s). He has proven to be competitive over 457m on this track. 

3 Gray Bale $61 & $16: This bloke has had seven cracks at the 660m trip here for two minor placings. His two saying wins includes a 645m win over the Group 1 755m winner Cawbourne Taylor.    

4 Kamada Park $14 & $4: He was run down late in the Group 1 Wanganui Distance final (755m, by Opawa Hilary), while his five 660m races on this track her yielded him with two wins (38.53s best).

5 Stormin’ Home $151 & $36: This bloke hasn’t won any race over any distance which is a factor that won’t change here as he takes on some proven stayers in his first attempt over a longer journey. 

6 Opawa Hilary $7 & $2.50: She’s a proven Group 1 winning stayer who finished strongly for her recent Hatrick 755m second placing. She is likely to go looking for a rails passage during the early rush here.  

7 Thrilling Nina $10 & $3.20: She’s checking out a staying race for the first time here. She won both of her 457m races on this track with both wins being characterized by her strong finishes, indicating that 660m racing will be ideal for her.

8 Emgrand Rose $10 & $3.20: He’s having his first look at 660m racing here which he is expected to easily handle following his sound recent Hatrick and Addington 645m efforts. He was a winning 720m Wentworth Park stayer prior to crossing the Tasman.   

Nancy Cobain heat 1 contenders includes (from left): Kamada Park; Opawa Hilary; Thrilling Nina

 Nancy Cobain – heat 2, race 1 (meeting 5)

1 Hot Platter $9 & $3: She found the line with real purpose when winning her last start Hatrick 645m race (38.26s). Her draw says she can book her final field position, especially as she has won (38.72s) and placed over this 660m trip.   

2 Gem $9 & $3: She’s travelling north after she easily outstayed her rivals when delivering her strong Ascot Park 630m win (37.36s) two race ago. She then kicked on solidly for her Monday Addington 645m third placing.     

3 Allen Mack $41 & $11: This bloke has delivered bold previous 660m efforts around this circuit - two wins (39.15s best) and four placings from his 12 prior 660m races here. He holds place claims in this heat.

4 Bigtime Rosie $201 & $51: She took on the stayers for her first career staying race when recently raced over the Hatrick 755m distance. She didn’t feature there, hence her long odds in this series. 

5 Ask King Jeff $21 & $5.50: His sole staying win came over 618m on the Richmond (New South Wales) track. His best staying efforts on this side of the Tasman has been a Hatrick 645m third and Manukau 603m second.   

6 Diamond Geezer $151 & $36: This bloke is a Maiden graded stayer who finished third in his only 660m race (2.5 lengths behind Kamada Park) at this venue. He has placed over the Hatrick 645m trip.

7 Alotta Talk $16 & $4.70: This fella owns a fair amount of staying ability, although he requires a clear early racing passage to display that which he did when he led his rivals throughout to win the Group 2 Kingston Cup over 732m in September (leading home Opawa Hilary).

8 Opawa June $26 & $7: She has one win over 660m (38.41s) from her three attempts here. She led all the way on that occasion. Her other staying win was over 645m at Hatrick (38.77s).    

Nancy Cobain heat 2 contenders includes (from left): Hot Platter; Gem; Alotta Talk

Nancy Cobain – heat 3, race 2 (meeting 5)

1 Student Loan $12 & $3.70: He had his first attempt at a staying a week ago at Addington, where he got tangled up in traffic which led to some other issues for him. 

2 Emgrand Park $4 & $1.75: He has been installed as the series TAB Futures favourite following his strong pair of November Addington 645m wins. Drawing an inside trap has enhanced his advancement claims here.    

3 Mighty Muscle $12 & $3.70: He flew home late for his recent Hatrick feature 645m second placing (to Hot Platter) after he had gamely chased home Emgrand Park in his recent Addington 645m races which is the venue and distance he has won his two staying races.

4 Billy’s Bake $26 & $7: He’s a proven stayer at the top level, although his Thursday Cambridge 650m miss is a concern. He won (38.46s) and he placed in both of his previous 660m races here.   

5 Box Vacant

6 Grunty Mama $121 & $31: Her only previous 660m attempt here saw her finishing a 5.25 length third which the winner required 39.43s to complete. She since went onto claim her Group 1 755m third placing (four lengths behind Opawa Hilary).   

7 Race Me Home $61 & $16: She was last sighted back in September when she delivered her sound two-length 660m second to Hot Platter. She placed in all three of her 660m races, however, her lack of recent racing is a concern here.     

8 Max Dancer $16 & $4.70: It was last Monday afternoon when she had her first taste of staying racing which resulted in her bold 37.82s Addington 645m win. She would have benefited from that outing.   

Nancy Cobain heat 2 contenders includes (from left): Emgrand Park; Mighty Muscle, Billy’s Bake;

By Peter Fenemor