Mike Stent Decorators NZ Derby Headlines A Sensational Night's Racing

A quality night of racing awaits us on Thursday evening at Cambridge Raceway. Three Group 2 races, and the South Waikato Cup pave the way for the $45,000 Group 1 New Zealand Derby. The Teressa McDonald Memorial Cup over the 747m opens the feature race proceedings, followed by the 375m Angus Wright Memorial Sprint. The Lois Henley Trophy, and the South Waikato Cup both over 457m make for compelling racing before the night’s main event.

TERESSA MCDONALD MEMORIAL CUP. 747m. GROUP 2

 

1.       SHAYNEE. S LOZELL

ew Zealand’s best stayer at present with $60,000 in the bank. Can overcome any draw with her early pace. Looking for 5 straight wins and clearly the one to beat.

 

2.  BAD BRO BAD. S CODLIN

Ran an encouraging second to Shaynee last start at Manukau on his first try over 700. No real form at Cambridge but beat home Thrilling Amelia, and Little Teegs last time and is drawn to run another bold race.

 

3.  UTHOR BALE. C ROBERTS

Holds the Addington 645m track record, at the peak of his powers he could win this. Has only had one race beyond 700m where he ran second to Emgrand Rose at Addington last year. Will make the race interesting.

 

4.  GEM. J & D FAHEY

Was a five length second to Shaynee in the Whanganui Distance in February. Her last two starts at this track and distance were just fair. She will have to get a perfect sit on the rail to pose a threat.

 

5.  THRILLING NINA. K WALSH

The main danger to Shaynee, despite failing to make ground on her during their last meeting at Manawatu. Winner of the Group 2 Nancy Cobain Memorial over the 660m at Manawatu which seems more to her liking. Her best chance of victory lies with her somehow not settling last early.

 

6.  LITTLE TEEGS. A LAWRENCE

Litter mate to Shaynee, who is racing well below her best. Winner of 4 distance races overall and $30,000 in the bank. Won a feature distance race here in January but hard to make a case for on current form.

 

7.  THRILLING AMELIA. K WALSH

Defeated by Little Teegs this track and distance in January, and was ten lengths behind Shaynee last start at Manukau. Talented bitch, although the 747m journey seems to test her.

 

8. GOLDSTAR TRUMAN. R EVANS

Receives a tough draw for this race considering his railing tendencies. Was ten lengths behind Thrilling Nina last start over the 720m at Manawatu. Would be doing super to run a place.

 

 

ANGUS WRIGHT MEMORIAL SPRINT. 375m. GROUP 2.

 

1.       BIG TIME IZZY.  L COLE

Box 1 specialist who is Group 1 placed over middle distance.  Can fly the lids when right but we have not seen her at her best for some time.  #2 should give her plenty of space Place chance with best beginning.

 

2.   WILD KIWI. J UDY & D COTTAM

His second to Buddy Boom on Sunday was full of merit. He seems to prefer Manukau over Cambridge and box two doesn’t suit his racing style.

 

3.   BIG TIME GWYN. L COLE

Solid Class 4 and 5 performer in the Central Districts. Has won in a handy 21.13s on this track.  Looks outclassed against a few of these, but is capable of running top four.

 

4.   TROJAN HOARSE. L COLE

Superstar looking to add another Group race to his collection. Will pass the $250,000 mark with a first or second in this. 50 wins from 76 career sprints is an amazing strike rate. Incredibly hard to beat.

 

5.   GOLDSTAR FLORA. R EVANS

Performed well on track debut last week to run a distant second to Trojan Hoarse. Box 5 is a horror draw for her with only two placings from 10 starts. Looks outclassed.

 

6.   BIG TIME FUZZ. L COLE

Was impressive winning her heat last week in 21.13s from the this draw. A lot more speed around her this week. Shows promise but this is her toughest test to date.

 

7.   NANGAR HURRICANE. P FERGUSON

Second behind Fairy in last week’s heat from box 7. His run of 20.98s two back from out wide proves he has the ability to present a challenge to Trojan Hoarse.

 

8.  BIG TIME FAIRY. L COLE

Speedy little bitch who has the potential to cause an upset.  Defeated Nangar Hurricane in her heat from box 3 in 21.08s. Beat Trojan Hoarse in December’s Dash For Cash, but she drew inside him on that occasion.

 

 

LOIS HENLEY TROPHY. 457m. GROUP 2.

 

 

1.        BIG TIME SMILE. L COLE

Finished five lengths in arrears of Jilliby Litsa when fourth in her heat. Has won only once over middle distance from ten attempts but gets a serviceable draw here. Will have to lead to be any chance.

 

2.    JUST AS MUCH. S LOZELL

Third from a wide draw in her heat behind Jilliby Litsa. Gains box two for this and if she can produce the box speed that saw her all but lead throughout over 527m at Manukau, she may prove hard to catch.

 

3.    BIGTIME PLUTO. L COLE

Fifth in the 2021 Golden Chase behind Federal Morgan. Does perform better on the one turn tracks but would probably prefer being drawn out a bit more. Has won from every box except 3.  Would be a risk to rule her out in this even line up.

 

4.    JILLIBY LITSA. L COLE

Chased Sports Mode and mastered her late in 25.69s heat victory from box 1. Led throughout to win the Group 1 Spion Rose who seems more at home on two turn tracks.  Very hard to head if she can jump to the front.

 

5.   BERET GIRL. P GREEN

Yet to win over the 457m at Cambridge, and was about 9 lengths off Thrilling Neve in her heat. She is third up from a spell after her run in the Spion Rose Final at Whanganui in December. Can show good early speed at times, but it probably outclassed here.

 

6.   SPORTS MODE. P FERGUSON

Pushed Jilliby Litsa hard in her first go at middle distance racing. Improvement could be expected for this after a career of sprinting which included a finals berth in the Railway last month.

 

7.   BIG TIME LANTAO. L COLE

 

Group One winner at a young age last year at Whanganui. Can run some decent early sectionals but can be a bit weak late. Encouraging second behind Thrilling Neve in her heat without ever looking a threat.

 

8.   THRILLING NEVE. K WALSH

The one to beat after her 25.33s demolition last week. Draws up in box 8 again this week where there is a lot more speed on her inside. She isn’t big in size but she is big in heart and will again be strong to the line.

 

 

MIKE STENT DECORATORS LTD NEW ZEALAND DERBY. 457m. GROUP 1.

 

 1.       PORTLAND BERTY.  T & L CRAIK

Run the fastest of the four heats with a 25.21s from box two. His time was only half a length behind the lightning Federal Morgan for best on day. Gets every favour with the ace draw and a wide runner to his outside.

 

2.   BEST BALL. D LANE

Surprisingly run down by Speed Machine in his heat where he was gifted a clear cut lead. Talented enough to clock 29.75s at Addington over the 520m. Likes to use a bit of the track which may be his undoing from box 2.

 

3.   KNOW KEEPER. G CLEEVE

One of the country’s most exciting young greyhounds who has finished runner up in his last four starts. His heat run for second on track debut should be improved on, as he seemed a bit lost. Tends to runs inwards out of the boxes but his finishing burst is the best here.

 

4.   PEDRO LEE. P FERGUSON

Third in the Golden Chase behind Federal Morgan and Drink Shoeys with a time of 25.61s. Reigned supreme in his heat with an effortless 25.38s win from box two. Railer to his inside and wide runner in #5 makes box 4 a lot better than usual.

 

5.   PENALTY DROP.  D LANE

Ran a distant second to Thrilling Norman in his heat on track debut. Has potential but is too inconsistent to like from this draw.

 

6.   SPEED MACHINE. L COLE

Surprise victor in his heat after getting a dream gap turning for home and being too strong for Best Ball. This is undoubtedly his biggest test to date and will probably need luck to feature at the business end.

 

7.  THRILLING NORMAN. K WALSH

Continues to impress posting his best winning time over the track and distance with a 25.46s win in his heat. Norman has chalked up five wins on the bounce with last week’s run his best to date. Will be facing his biggest career test by some margin on Thursday night.

 

8.  NANGAR RIDGE. L COLE

Golden Chase finalist who will derive great benefit from his track debut second to Portland Berty. Enjoys box 8 and was finishing resolutely after an average beginning. Norman can provide a drag across so respect.