‘Bigtime’ Dominated NZRS Sprint Final
Memo to the GRNZ stakes payment office. Issue the full $4,250 Breeders’ bonus payment attached to Friday’s running of Friday’s $8,500 NZRS Sprint final at the Hatrick Raceway to BRD Cole. All ten greyhounds listed in this final were bred, reared and at least initially raced from the ‘Bigtime’ Palmerston North-based racing operation.
Pictured: Bigtime Bee with handler Ella Cole following his 17.52s 305m NZRS Sprint heat win – pic Ivan Howe, Wanganui GRC
Six of the finalists, plus both reserves are still trained by Lisa Cole who has really upped the ante with the volumes of winners being mentored since the New Year as her relentless march towards the record-breaking 861 winners trained last season continues.
Three 305m heats held last Friday decided the final field with the Cole kennels producing all three heat winners. The joint equal heat winners time-wise were Bigtime Bee and Bigtime Banjo who both recorded 17.52s. Bigtime Kiss was the other heat winner who clocked 17.60s for her 305m dash.
Bigtime Bee hopped away smartly from her trap six draw and this daughter of Bekim Bale and Sweet As Bro came away sweetly to claim her heat win by a comfortable 2.75 length margin. She will be sighted wearing the black racing vest on Friday.
Bigtime Banjo was solid when he delivered his heat win, especially as he maintained a straight early racing line after jumping from trap three. This son of Banjo Boy and Bev’s Viewpoint is generally sighted veering out wide, which is what he did when rounding the turn once he had secured the race lead. Hopefully he holds a straight racing line once he exits from trap four here.
Bigtime Kiss certainly will be hoping he does as this daughter of Fabregas and Kissing Gwyneth is required to exit from trap five. She began smartly from trap seven and it was a combination of her pace and strength that saw her prevailing by a comfortable 3.75 lengths.
Trojan Horse used his known strength to muscle his way into the final by being one of the fastest heat third place getters. He made a moderate start from trap five, then this son of Fernando Bale and Ocotillo used his vast racing experience to secure a rails racing passage which led to his 2.75 length third to Bigtime Banjo. Last month’s Group 2 Dash For Cash winner has drawn to make his presence felt from trap two in this decider.
Wanganui NZRS Sprint heat winners Bigtime Banjo (left) with handler Alan Trass, while Hayley Mullane brought back Bigtime Kiss – pics Ivan Howe, Wanganui GRC; the multiple feature race winner Trojan Hoarse – he is the only greyhound in the listed field that doesn’t carry a “Big Time” naming prefix
Bigtime Jasmine gamely chased after Bigtime Kiss to claim her heat second placing. This daughter of Fernando Bale and Hifi Allegro is likely to receive a sweet early racing passage when she jumps from trap three here after she whacked away during the run home for her Monday 7.25 length C4 410m third placing.
Bigtime Sheer was the heat runner up to Bigtime Bee after she was sighted contesting the pace with her when rounding the turn. This daughter of Bret Lee and Sheer Miss must place herself into a forward early position from trap six here.
Obviously, Brendon Cole is rapt to have such a strong breeding influence on the field. “To have been involved in breeding, rearing and breaking in an entire feature final field is exciting for us. I guess the improved draw that Trojan Hoarse has makes him our leading chance,” he advised.
Gary and Sandra Fredrickson prepare the other two contenders and the litter brothers bookend the field after drawing the inside and outside traps. Bigtime Bronx will be sighted wearing the red racing vest after he kicked on solidly for his 2.25 length heat second to Bigtime Banjo. This son of Mildean Panther and Lost In Light then contested a Monday C4 410m sprint where he was denied a clear racing passage when heading into the turn.
His brother Bigtime Emjay finished third in this final last year and the podium claims held by this vastly experienced sprinter will hinge on the start he makes from trap eight here. He has the strength to push around the outer here which is a tactic he must utilize from his wide draw after he completed his heat assignment 4.75 lengths behind Bigtime Bee.
“We’re delighted the brothers have made the final although I’m not so sure they’ll use their draws. The brothers, which also includes Bigtime Chris, have been great servants for our kennels. They are really laidback dogs who are a real pleasure to work with,” commented co-trainer Gary Fredrickson.
Handler Wendy Kite with Bigtime Sheer; Co-trainer Gary Fredrickson is seen here with their finalist Bigtime Bronx, while his brother and kennelmate Bigtime Emjay will hop away from trap eight
Big Time Lebron (Spring Gun – Allegro Touch) is the first reserve after he kicked on stoutly for his 6.25 length heat third to Bigtime Kiss. Bigtime Charlotte (Barcia Bale – Why Oh Why) is the second reserve after returning the quickest of the heat fourth placings. She then suffered from a traffic impeded racing passage in her Monday C3 410m dash.
