New Zealand Cup & Galaxy Fancies make Semi Finals
A massive 15 heats were contested Thursday evening and Friday afternoon for the New Zealand Cup and Galaxy features. 32 spots were up for grabs for this weeks' semi-finals where the first two runners past the post of the four heats will go forward to their respective finals which will be run on Thursday, November 12. The New Zealand Cup heats contained all the year's big names so far, however, the Galaxy Heats were without arguably their two biggest stars in Bolty and Zipping Houdini who are out with injuries.
Lisa Cole took out the first two heats with Whanganui Cup victor Big Time Lantao and Bigtime Seth who both posted quick times of 30.21s and 30.13s respectively. Final fancy Uthor Bale for Craig Roberts made it through to the next round after finding early trouble, while Opawa Deal who was also heavily fancied to win his heat snuck into the next round after finishing fourth. Van Nindi for Callum Weir took off from box two in the third heat running a 30.30s ahead of fast-finishing Opawa Nat for the Fahey’s and dual New Zealand Cup placegetter Dyna Dave who rattled home for third. Opawa Slick shocked punters in heat four defeating the heavily favoured Zipping Sheldon and Van Evie who will be looking for a cleaner getaway this Wednesday. The very young Adobe Bro for Matt Roberts showed a lot of heart taking on much higher graded dogs as he won heat five before turning two years of age. Quincy Bale and Zipping Boston added to the list of Semi-final prospects for father Craig after their heat placings. The penultimate heat saw another up and comer in Rock on John for the Fahey’s upset dual Group One winner Leonard Bale in a hard-fought contest for much of the race. Opawa Toddy split the pair in the run to the line and will take his place in the semi-finals. The last heat saw Ozzie for Daniel Lane set the time standard with a punishing six-length 30.11s victory which sees him go into this Wednesday as a potential favourite for the final.
Daniel Lane’s charge carried on into Friday with Oakmont and Seve taking out the first and last of eight Galaxy heats. Seve was particularly impressive once again winning in an equal best of day time of 16.84s which was shared with heat seven winner Archie John Hill for the Fahey’s. Seve is jumping out of his skin in the last month and he will not mind starting from the wider boxes either. Trojan Hoarse for Lisa Cole was sensational from box five as last years Galaxy finalist put pay to his field in a smart 16.99s. Tricky for Daniel Lane got within a length at the line for a commendable second placing. Select Trick will lead the charge for Callum Weir after she took out heat three in a time of 17.28s ahead of the fast-finishing Opawa Bailey who has the speed, but hurts himself with poor beginnings. He’s All Shine looked at home for Sam Lozell in his debut at Addington with a 17.19s victory from box two out, finishing Wildebeest for Ashley Bradshaw right on the line. Starburst George for Malcom Grant went the race of his career so far defeating last years champion Buddy Boom by a length in a nice time of 17.07s which was set up by a quick 5:78s early section. Squillionaire for Callum Weir took out heat six in a time of 17.23 joining kennel mate Select Trick in this Week semi-finals. Archie John Hill’s superb 16.84 heat seven win saw him take equal time honours with the final heat winner Seve after a much better beginning and the best run home of the day, a scorching 11.04s which puts him right into final calculations if he can be consistent in the next couple of weeks.
From the left: Archie John Hill Head, Bigtime Seth, Ozzie, Starburst George, Trojan Hoarse, Van Nindi
Written by Shane Kendall
