Cutie Clears Out For Her Easy NZRS Novice Win
Tuesday’s running of the $7,500 NZRS Novice final was all over as a contest as soon as the Forbury Park 545m traps opened. Spearing straight into the race lead was Opawa Cutie and she was never going be caught from that point.
Pictured: Opawa Cutie delivering her Tuesday NZRS Novice win (pic Dave Robbie)
Opawa Cutie cruised through her 545m task, claiming her biggest career win by a comfortable 3.5 length margin, clocking 32.65s for her assignment. As commentator Dave McDonald said in his postrace summary – “Box speed is so, so important.” He’s spot on with that comment as Opawa Cutie was off and gone as soon as her paws touched the mat when exiting from trap seven.
Canterbury conditioners Dave and Jean Fahey qualified four finalists and they finished up training the race trifecta. Delivering his normal strong finish to claim the runners up prize was Macdoodle (Fernando Bale – Mandy Junior), while Punters A Hero (Barcia Bale – Albie Punter) wound up a further three-quarters of a length behind in third after he had gamely chased after the freewheeling pacemaker. All three of the podium attendees are likely to quickly make their presence felt in the higher grades.
Opawa Cutie had done a similar pace making demolition job in her heat when she also led home Mcdoodle in 33s flat. That early pace is going to see her quickly advancing through the grades.
This feature event was Opawa Cutie’s ninth race day outing and she brought up her fourth career win. This daughter of Barcia Bale and Opawa Stella has placed in another four races which see her stake earnings now sitting at $7,959 for her breeders and owning Opawa Racing team, who continues to breed quality racing stock.
Daniel Lane returned Tuesday’s Otago hosted NZRS Novice winner Opawa Cutie to the podium and joining her at the dais was runner up Macdoodle with Jed Roberts, while Arlica Lange brought back the third-placed Punters A Hero - pics supplied by Dave Robbie – [email protected] – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos; Opawa Cutie’s mum Opawa Stella seen hereafter stylishly winning an Addington 520m event
By Peter Fenemor