New Zealand Cup and Galaxy Field Finalised
Wednesday night racing at Addington in November translates to the running of the New Zealand Cup and Galaxy Semi Finals. Finalists from the eight heats receive over a full week to recover before lining up for their shot at a Group One on the most prestigious night of the year. The eight heats contained both expected and shock results with some heavily favoured runners unable to carry on with their impressive form in the past weeks and months.
One greyhound who has continued to shine at the right time of year is the Craig Roberts prepared Quincy Bale who was again sensational, setting the time standard for the four semi finals with a 29.94s run. Quincy was super off the boxes crossing over the heavily favoured Van Nindi before dashing away for victory. Opawa Slick chased gamely after his heat win for the Fahey’s to grab the second spot in the New Zealand Cup final. The luck in draws for the final were not kind to either runner though, as they will draw 7 and 8 respectively.
Ozzie for Daniel Lane will make his way into box 6 for this week’s final after a gutsy but perhaps lucky journey to victory in the second Semi final. There is no questioning his talent and will to win after he fearlessly pushed underneath a pack of early pace setters going into the first bend after a moderate beginning. Opawa Toddy became the second of the four final qualifiers for the Fahey’s after he avoided early trouble and he will jump from box one this Thursday night.
The commencement of the upset results occurred in semi final three as New Zealand Derby and Waterloo Cup winner Leonard Bale had a real tough time covering extra ground from the tricky box eight draw and was unable bridge the gap on eventual victor Opawa Nat and surprise finalist Ripslinger Roxy. Opawa Nat will start from box 2 once again in the final, while Ripslinger Roxy who made the semi on the back of two scratchings and a much improved run pushing Nat to within a head will start from box 4.
The final semi of the 2020 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup saw the further rise of a youngster who has done everything right since crossing the Tasman. Rock On John will begin from box 3 in this week’s final after another gritty and determined effort saw him finish the better of a brave Jilliby Litsa who will be Lisa Cole’s sole representative taking her spot from box 5. The Fahey’s have another very strong hand in this race with half of the field but the likes of Ozzie and Quincy Bale will guarantee another enthralling contest.
Trojan Hoarse at over four years of age will go into this week’s Fitz Sports Bar New Zealand Galaxy as the favourite after another jet propelled beginning set him up for a best on night’s 16.85s performance. Archie John Hill takes his place in the final but was no match for Trojan Hoarse in the semi final as the duo spaced the remainder of the field. The pair will begin in boxes 3 and 5 respectively for the final where they will look to play a major hand in once again.
Buddy Boom for Udy & Cottam was back to his brilliant best after his semi final victory in a time of 17.20s. Buddy was beaten out early by Squillionaire but soon after, took off around the leader covering extra ground before powering away impressively. He will look to defend his title out of box 6 again after receiving similar draws in the heat and semi final. Carlos for Robin Wales grabbed second after a big run from the back of the field and will jump from box 2 for the final.
Starburst George for Malcolm Grant was once again superb in his victory clocking the second best time of 17.04s after 17.07s in his heat. George rounded up Select Trick very quickly and took off for another impressive victory. He will have to do it the hard way in the final with box 8 as his selected draw. Tucker for Daniel Lane will join him in the final from box 4 after his gallant second placing from the ace draw.
Sam Lozell will be eager for another brilliant performance from He’s All Shine in this week’s final after his 17.07s victory in the last of four semi finals. He’s All Shine will be looking to put a New Zealand Galaxy title to his Spion Rose Group One title from last year at Whanganui, as he draws the ace. Opawa Bailey put on another Opawa Bailey performance, with his trademark slow beginning before unleashing another strong finishing burst taking his place in the final from box 7.
Written by Shane Kendall
