Pedro Lee Caps Off Superb NZ Derby Night
Consistency was definitely the key for Pedro Lee as he claimed Thursday night's Mike Stent Decorators New Zealand Derby at Group 1 status. For the last month the son of Aston Dee Bee and One Cold Foot has done everything right for trainer Peter Ferguson and was rewarded with victory after another clean getaway from box 4. Portland Berty for Tracey & Lisa Craik made a serious challenge up the straight, after missing away from his first go out of box 1. The third and fourth placegetters in the Golden Chase at Manawatu earlier in the month behind Federal Morgan and Drink Shoeys were fittingly the first two past the post on the night's feature.
A 25.47s time over the 475m trip was enough to secure victory for Pedro Lee who is owned by former track curator and trainer Greg Hore. The ability to spear to the early lead once again is a testament to Pedro Lee, and Peter Ferguson who has enjoyed a brilliant run since taking up greyhound training. Portland Berty cost himself the chance of victory with a less than average beginning by his standards, although he picked himself up and charged home with gusto closing to within a length of the winner. Speed Machine after a surprise heat win finished resolutely once again claiming third for Lisa Cole as one of the outsiders of the field.
Shaynee railed underneath her challengers in the straight pulling off another strong distance race victory for Sam Lozell and owner Arch Lawrence in the Teressa McDonald Memorial Cup. Thrilling Amelia showed vast improvement from her outing at Auckland, the late start picking up a gallant second placing, while Gem ran on from back in the field to secure third placing for Jean & Dave Fahey.
Big Time Fairy claimed her second Group 2 feature of the season with her victory from the pink rug in the Angus Wright Memorial Sprint. She used her early pace to advantage crossing down in front of Trojan Hoarse putting pay to his winning chances. Nangar Hurricane Presented his challenge in pursuit of Fairy, but her tiny pistons continued to tick over at a great pace as she posted a time of 21.00s for the 375m. Nangar Hurricane held down second for Peter Ferguson while the Lisa Cole-trained Big Time Fuzz, and Trojan Hoarse finished third and fourth respectively.
Big Time Lantao finally managed to clear her rivals early in the running of the Lois Henley Trophy as she was left alone to post some handy early splits, setting up her win. Her time of 25.45s in the all bitches feature was marginally quicker than that of the boys in the NZ Derby. Thrilling Neve tried her heart out in second for Karen Walsh, while Big Time Pluto made it a first and third finish for Lisa Cole.
The usual suspects were at the fore once again for the South Waikato Cup as Federal Morgan further cemented his place as New Zealand’s best middle-distance chaser with a best on night 25.13s victory. Drink Shoeys provided another bold second to the star Lisa Cole trained Scott Eaton owned greyhound, while Opawa Travis for Phil Green continues to put in competitive efforts as he raced into third position.
Photos: Yvette Bodiam
Written by Shane Kendall
