Sharp NZRS Sprint By The Hoarse

Receiving an improved draw always meant that the sharp Lisa Cole prepared sprinter Trojan Hoarse was always going to start Friday’s $8,500 NZRS Sprint final as a very warm favourite. His odds got even shorter when a seasonal complaint meant the greyhound drawn on his immediate outer was a late scratching.

Pictured: Friday’s $8,500 NZRS Sprint winner Trojan Hoarse

This feature sprint was all over as a contest when the 305m traps lifted. Spearing away from the two trap was last season’s dual Group 1 winner Trojan Hoarse and that was game, set and match as this son of Fernando Bale and Ocotillo dictated terms to his rivals when he dashed to his 17.31s feature race victory.

Bigtime Banjo also bounced away nicely from trap four and he stayed out in the middle of the track as expected. This son of Banjo’s Boy and Bev’s Viewpoint maintained a solid sprint which saw him claiming the runners up prize 2.75 lengths behind the pacemaker.

Missing the start a tad from trap five was Bigtime Kiss which probably was a wise tactic as Bigtime Banjo stayed out in the middle of the track. This consistent daughter of Fabregas and Kissing Gwyneth then slipped down closer to the rail from where she punched on stoutly to claim the third placing a further 1.25 lengths astern.      

Trojan Hoarse has been a super chaser for his owner Craig Rendle who was also involved in the breeding of him in connection with the Bigtime kennels via his long-time association with Brendon and Lisa Cole. They made it a clean sweep of the Breeders’ bonus payments attached to this New Zealand bred only sprint. All ten listed runners in this field were whelped, reared and trained within the Bigtime racing operation, although two of them are now racing from a different kennel.

Trojan Hoarse, who was a finalist for last season’s NZ Greyhound of the Year title, has now raced on 85 occasions, resulting in 29 wins and 30 minor placings. His back balance is now sitting at a rather healthy looking $140,849 (excluding Breeders’ bonus payments).

Handler Ella Cole with Friday’s NZRS Sprint winner Trojan Hoarse; runner up Bigtime Banjo and third-placed Bigtime Kiss

By Peter Fenemor