Early Speed in Abundance ahead of New Zealand Breeders Final
Four competitive heats took place on Thursday evening at Addington Raceway for both the Harding Cup and the New Zealand Breeders Finals which will take place this Thursday night.
John McInerney grabbed three of the four Harding Cup heat victories with Romeo, Homebush Aimee, and Homebush Monkey. Honours went to the Fahey’s in the New Zealand Breeders Heats with two winners as they look to upset Best Ball for Daniel Lane, and the very impressive Jason Dunn prepared La Rochelle.
Opawa Bailey for Robin Wales set the time-standard in the first Harding Cup heat running a 17.23s on a track that had been affected by some heavy rain only a few days after experiencing temperatures in the mid to high 30’s. Tucker was a close up second while King Toliman lead the field up and probably deserved a final spot, less than a length behind the winner. Romeo took out heat 2 upsetting Galaxy winner Trojan Hoarse on his way to a time of 17.37s. Goldstar Clover for Riley Evans will take a spot in the final after holding out Trojan Hoarse for second by a very small margin.
Two reserve runners for John McInerney set up their respective heat wins with lightning beginnings. Homebush Aimee with the green and white stripe 9 rug from box 8 cleared her way across the pack and onto the lead where she was never headed posting a 17.32s. Goldstar Major’s second lands Riley Evans two runners in this weeks final. Homebush Monkey looks to be coming back into form at the right time after back to back all the way victories. Drawing box 4 with the 10 rug he bounced out to an unassailable lead winning in a time of 17.30s, from Sonja who will also give Daniel Lane two finalists.
Best Ball justified his favourite Tag for the final of the New Zealand Breeders with a relatively effortless 30.30s victory from box seven in the first heat. Best Ball looked in cruise control leading throughout with Adobe Bro for Matt Roberts finishing the best of the rest into second qualifying for the final. The second heat saw the very promising Central Districts bitch Big Time Kaylee for Lisa Cole take early control before the powerful finish of Great Work along the rail for Jean and Dave Fahey proved too strong with a time of 30.27s. Look for further improvement from Big Time Kaylee in the final as she ran very wide on the first corner which is not uncommon for dogs having their first look on the track.
La Rochelle for Jason Dunn set the time-standard with a superb 30.21s after some time off with an injury. The Christchurch Classic victor from 2020 looked in fine fettle as she flew out in a very quick 5.81s early section which set her up for victory. Daniel Lane’s Gritty ran a commendable second place and will join Best Ball in this weeks final. Homebush Bomber for John McInerney all but caused a massive upset in the final heat as he crossed from box 8 leading till the final corner before Fairly Able managed to bridge the gap in the final few strides taking the final heat out in a 30.58s.
Written by Shane Kendall
