Interesting Hatrick Classic Heats

It sure is going to be a real interesting final for the $30,000 Kernow Construction Classic at the Hatrick Raceway this Friday evening following the four competitive 520m heats held at Group 1 level last Friday evening.

Pictured: Can the outstanding greyhound Dyna Dave finally secure a deserved Group 1 victory on Thursday evening?

Interesting as there will be a fair amount of on-course crowd support for the Lisa Cole prepared Bigtime Bruno. Interesting as the bulk of the racing industry will be closely watching to see if the terrific greyhound Dyna Dave can finally annex his overdue Group race title for his conditioner Craig Roberts. Interesting as, after gaining previous Group 1 minor placings, can the other two Cole trained heat winners Bigtime Rod and Big Time Ocean reach the top of this Group 1 podium?

Let’s look back at those heats. First up we watched a straight out paw wrestle between Bigtime Rod and Hey Fernando from the Gary and Sandra Fredrickson kennels. Hey Fernando set up the pace however he was stalked by Bigtime Rod when turning in for the run home.

Bigtime Rod extended stylishly which saw him getting up to claim the heat win when posting 30.14s. He held a neck margin over a gallant Hey Fernando. Oster Bale finished solidly to claim third just a half-length further behind for his trainer Craig Roberts. His effort was sufficient to see him occupying the first possie on the reserves bench for the final.

There was strong vocal support coming from the stands for Bigtime Bruno in the second heat. And he duly obliged for his owing Buckwild Racing syndicate who are employees of the race sponsors Kernow Construction. He landed his heat win in what was to be the quickest 30.11s time.

Finishing stoutly in behind him was the inform Dave and Jean Fahey trained Spring Falcon and December’s Group 1 Spion Rose Cup third placegetter will return to contest this final after delivering his 4.75 length heat second.

The Cole heat domination continued into the third heat where the high flying kennel provided the race quinella. Big Time Ocean rediscovered her known early pace which saw her controlling the pace throughout, resulting in her 30.26s heat win.

Kennelmate Bigtime Tank finished strongly from out of the midfield pack when finishing two lengths behind her. Finishing powerfully after copping a decent first turn check was Uthor Bale and his effort to finish another 1.25 lengths back in third means that the Roberts kennels will provide both reserves for the final.

Roberts will have a runner in the decider after Dyna Dave was nothing short of sensational when he came from a clear last going into the first turn to storm home to nail his 30.37s heat win. His time can be overlooked as it was more a reflection on how the race was run.

It was a heady effort by Silent Dismissal to join him in the final as this Angela Turnwald trained C2 graded runner was brave when finishing 2.25 lengths behind him in second after he suffered from a degree of midfield jostling.

Friday’s Kernow Construction Classic finalists includes (from left): Bigtime Rod; Spring Falcon; Bigtime Tank

NZRS Sprint Heats

The Kiwi bred sprinters contest three 305m sprints heats for their $8,500 NZRS Sprint final which will also be decided next Friday evening. All three heats were won by sprinters prepared from the Lisa Cole kennels who will provide six of the finalists.

Bigtime Kiss set the ball rolling when she led throughout to land her 17.60s heat win scoring by a 3.75 length margin. Kennelmate Bigtime Jasmine was sound when finishing second holding a 1.5 length advantage over another Cole sprinter Bigtime Lebron who becomes the first reserve for the final.

It was Bigtime Bee who contested the pace all the way in the second heat and she was rewarded with her 17.52s heat win. Bigtime Sheer was solid when she kicked on for her 2.75 length heat second, while Big Time Emjay from the Gary and Sandra Fredrickson kennels will return to contest the final after finishing another two lengths behind in third.

Bigtime Banjo proved too strong in the third heat when he completed his sprint task also in 17.52s. The second contender for the Fredrickson’s will be Bigtime Bronx after he wound up a 2.5 length second, while he held off the late challenge lodged by race favourite Trojan Hoarse by half a length.

Finalists for Friday’s NZRS Sprint final includes (from left): Bigtime Jasmine; Bigtime Emjay; Trojan Hoarse  

By Peter Fenemor