NZ Oaks and St Leger Highlight a Big Friday Night at Addington
Addington Raceway In Christchurch hosts a heavily stacked night of greyhound racing action once again. Friday night will showcase our rising stars with the Active Electrical Christchurch, New Zealand St. Leger for the boys and the Christchurch Casino New Zealand Oaks for the girls both at Group 1 level over the 520m. The Group 2 Kingston Cup over the 732 meters will follow, making for three prestigious contests back to back to back.
ACTIVE ELECTRICAL CHRISTCHURCH, NZ ST. LEGER. G1. $30,000.
- KNOW KEEPER. G CLEEVE
Auckland Cup runner up whose 29.85s best time on the track would go close to winning this. Gains the ace which should be much more useful to him than the box 5 he had in his heat. Gives runners a head start which was seen last week when running on behind Opawa Star without a winning claim. Talented and exciting greyhound who is every chance of winning but can not afford to give away another big margin early.
- ADOBE BRO. M ROBERTS
Runs the trip out strongly as seen in last weeks heat where he held out Best Ball. Could be a potential leader with no early speed from the 1 dog. His inside box statistics are better than average and his 30.25s win last week suggests he could easily be in the finish once again provided he begins cleanly.
- PENALTY DROP. D LANE
Solid second in his heat behind a talented up and comer. His best could be good enough to cause an upset in this. Starting to show more consistency, but this race is on another level once again. His box 3 stats are great and this could be key for him come Friday night.
- POWER BOOM. L COLE
Running in his first Group 1 at start 10 and it probably won’t be his last either. Has future star written all over him, as he took a massive class leap from a tricky alley to win his heat. Still learning and gains another tricky draw but it would be foolish to rule him out.
- OPAWA STAR. J & D FAHEY
Set the time standard for the boys with a dominant 5 length 30.14s victory in his heat. Has speed directly inside and outside of him, and box 5 is going to make life a lot tougher than last week for him. He is a promising young dog and will go very close if he can avoid early setbacks.
- PEDRO LEE. P FERGUSON
The 520m trip was of little concern for his debut crack at Addington as he posted a 30.17s winning time from the same box he faces Friday night. NZ Derby winner who will be looking to grab another Group 1 trophy for the display cabinet. Should derive improvement off his run last week and will take some beating.
- SHONKY STICKER. J & D FAHEY
Debut New Zealand run behind Pedro Lee was a solid effort, closing to within 2 lengths at the finish. Another who will take benefit from the experience and could potentially follow Pedro Lee into the race. His box 7 stats are perfect and it seems this draw could suit him. Looks to be another decent chance. This is the most even St. Leger Final in some time.
- BEST BALL. D LANE
Another runner for trainer Daniel Lane who took this race out last year with Ozzie. Was challenged early and headed by Adobe Bro in his heat. This draw is much more suited to his racing style and he possesses great wide trap statistics. Not in the same form, he was when he ran a 29.75s but in such an even field he can not be discounted.
- CLARKE’S SARKI. B DANN
Greyhound who has shown glimpses of ability, exemplified by a sub-30-second run early in his career. He was a reasonably close up third in his heat behind Pedro Lee. Would need to find a lot more if he gains a start here.
- ROCK ON JOHN. J & D FAHEY
NZ Cup winner who is not in the same vein of form at the moment. Had everything going for him in his heat from box 1, leading at one stage before being passed by Power Boom and Shonky Sticker.
