Euphoria At Hatrick Over Bruno’s Win

Sheer joy; sheer elation; total enjoyment – a massive adrenaline rush sums up the winning reactions from around 15 workers at Kernow Construction with them being involved in the Buckwild Racing syndicate who races Bigtime Bruno. They had just witnessed their greyhound stylishly winning the $30,000 Kernow Construction Classic at the elite Group 1 level at the Hatrick Raceway on Friday evening – a race they sponsored!

Pictured: The elation is there for all see with Kernow Construction workers and members of the Buckwild Racing syndicate with their Group 1 winning greyhound Bigtime Bruno

The vocal support from the stand intensified as the field of high class greyhounds raced down the Hatrick back straight as Bigtime Bruno was seriously looming into contention. That support rose into a crescendo when the talented field swung in for the run home with Bigtime Bruno putting in huge late bounds which carried him to not only his biggest career victory, but also for his now wildly celebrating owners.

It was mission accomplished, however let’s go back to the race start. Lisa Cole had qualified four finalists and it was her charge Big Time Ocean who led the field from the traps when starting smarting from the ace trap. Kennelmate Bigtime Bruno, who was wearing the blue racing vest, pushed forward while Hey Fernando positioned himself handy to the pace heading into the first turn after leaping from trap seven for his conditioners Gary and Sandra Fredrickson. Clearly setting in the rear was the Dave and Jean Fahey prepared Spring Falcon, along with the perennial Group 1 finalist Dyna Dave for Craig Roberts.

Streaming down the back straight it was Big Time Ocean who was setting up a solid tempo, while being stalked by Hey Fernando. There was around three lengths back to the chasing pack, headed by Bigtime Bruno.

The field bunched up into a tight pack when swinging into the home straight, however punching clear was Bigtime Bruno who went onto claim his Group 1 title by a length margin after 30.24s of hard out chasing action.

Geez, what does Dyna Dave have to do to claim a Group 1 title? This was his eighth race at the elite level of racing. He absolutely rocketed home from the rear group to nail his fifth Group 1 second placing (one third); the same placing he occupied in this race last year. As a perturbed Craig Roberts mentioned afterwards about the run, “Just push the replay button for the previous comments!” He then indicated he would aim Dave towards the looming $90,000 Auckland Cup and then he advised that the winner of $262,841 probably would be set for staying races afterwards.

The effort by the third place getter Silent Dismissal was nothing short of sensational. This Angela Turnwald prepared youngster was having just his eighth career race day outing with this current C2 graded chaser obviously giving away volumes of race experience to his more hardened rivals. He kicked on solidly when finishing just a neck behind Dyna Dave. The bulk of his owners were also involved in the ownership of last years Hatrick Classic winner from the same kennel Nature’s Gent. Silent Dismissal will now head south to contest this Thursday’s heats for the New Zealand St Leger at the Addington Raceway also at Group 1 level, which was a race that Turnwald prepared Diddilee to win last race, again for many of the same owners.

Handlers Clare Harding and Ella Cole with the Kernow Construction Classic winner Bigtime Bruno; runner up Dyna Dave and the third-placed Silent Dismissal

“We got into greyhound racing to have a good time with our workmates; more of a social; occasion – it sure has achieved that. I can assure you Group racing certainly wasn’t on the radar for us,” explained Kernow Construction principal and Buck Racing syndicate manager Brett Wistrand who explained more about their racing involvement.

“We were looking at racing a horse, but decided we couldn’t afford, so the idea of racing a greyhound was put forward. My kids went to school with Brendon and Lisa Cole’s children, so I approached them which eventuated in us buying Bigtime Bruno to race just under a year ago. The rest as they say is history. The result is total euphoria. After Bruno crossed the line, we just looked at each other saying, ‘what just happened’?

“Ever since we brought Bruno greyhound racing dominates our work smoko discussions. The boys in the company (and now ownership) range from 18 to 35 and are from all aspects of life and this greyhound sure has taken it up to the next level, bringing us all together.”

Brad Ritchie then added, “To win a Group1 race within a year is pinch yourself material. We can’t thank Brendon and Lisa Cole enough who have been absolutely brilliant to us. The raw emotion of Group racing is amazing. To be involved in this tonight is out of this world,” he advised prior to heading out to board the bus they now have for the trip back to their Palmerston North base. “We asked who wanted to come across (to Hatrick) and everyone put their hands up.”

When asked about Kernow Construction sponsoring the Group 1 race the response was, “Ivan (Howe) asked us if we would consider it – we didn’t hesitate as the Wanganui club has really looked after us every time we’ve come across here. They treat us like kings”   

The team are looking at adding to their racing interests as their attention now switches to a possible crack at another Group 1 race, the $90,000 Auckland Cup (March 1). If that occurs, then the atmosphere at the Manukau Stadium will be fairly humming as the “fun” bus takes a tour up north.

The Buckwild Racing (Kernow Construction) team shortly after the race finish; the Kernow Construction team ready to board their fun bus back to Palmerston North; Buck Racing Syndicate manager Brett Wistrand   

Bigtime Bruno has now contested 52 races, winning 17 of those. He has placed in another 17 races, which has so far generated $55,311 is stakes, which excludes Breeders’ bonus payments like the $1,000 this son of Spring Gun and Serena Rose won for being the first New Zealand bred greyhound to finish in this Group 1 event. Serena Rose is a daughter of the champion greyhound Little Mother who remains as the highest stake earning greyhound in New Zealand greyhound racing history, having won $377,751 from her outstanding career.

Bigtime Bruno’s mum Serena Rose along with her mum, the NZ Greyhound Hall of Fame inductee Little Mother     

“The boys are great for greyhound racing – this is what it is all about and are thrilled for them as they deserve success like this. I thought Bruno was handy enough to them going down the back and when he improved turning for home, I knew then he could win it as he brings it home real strongly,” advised Brendon Cole about yet another Group 1 winning greyhound bred, reared and trained from the Palmerston North base.

“These results are all about team work at home – at all comes down to planning and sheer hard work,” added Cole who indicated that Bigtime Bruno is likely to shortly head up to check out the Manukau track in preparation for the Auckland Cup series (heats February 23). “Bruno deserves a crack at the Auckland Cup and I believe he will be suited to the Auckland track,” suggested Cole.

By Peter Fenemor