YOUNG STARS BATTLE for NZ FUTURITY HONOURS.

YOUNG STARS BATTLE FOR NZ FUTURITY HONOURS.

Jean and Dave Fahey have every chance of adding another Group One to another impressive
season which has seen them take out the New Zealand Cup, the New Zealand Stayers Final, and
the New Zealand Oaks. Two of those three winners will line up for them again on Friday night for
the last Group One race of the season. NZ Oaks victor Jelly Fish will step from box 3, while NZ
Cup winner Rock On John will begin from the 5 box. The Fahey’s have four of the five inside
draws and the Garry Cleeve trained NZ ST. Ledger winner Know Keeper leaves the locally trained
Federal Ranger, Stay Connected, and Allegro Nixon with the outside three boxes.

NZ FUTURITY FINAL. GROUP 1. 520M.

1. Opawa Boys Paid. J & D Fahey.

Showed some strength to pick up second from back in the field behind Federal Ranger in last
weeks heat. Jumping from this trap will serve him well and he is a potential leader with no early
speed from Know Keeper. Does not win out of turn with 7 from 45 but is generally there about,
and has placed in 22. Definite top 3 prospect from the ace draw.

2. Know Keeper. G Cleeve.

Yet to be out of the top 3 from the inside two boxes. Should be able to get to the rail almost
immediately, and will be dangerous from there. His second behind Chrome in the heat was
another typical Know Keeper run as he flashed home late. Should have improvement in him after
his first look at Whanganui last week. He is a big threat to not only be in the finish but to win his
second Group 1.

3. Jelly Fish. J & D Fahey.

Has won 50% of her races to date but is 0 from 3 out of the 3 box. Seems to like the wider boxes
where she jumps and angles across as seen in her impressive heat win from box 8 last week.
Should be able to at least out jump the 2 which could leave her in an early speed duel with Opawa
Boys Paid, and Rock On John.The New Zealand Oaks winner from last month will have to fly the
lids to be a chance of winning with the speed around her.

4. Chrome. J & D Fahey

By far his best run to date in New Zealand taking out his heat from box 7. His best on night 29.95
came as some surprise as one of the outsiders of the field. Looked strong to the line last week but
his draw on Friday is going to be tricky to navigate. A repeat of last weeks run will see him go
close, although kennel mate Rock On John could foil this in the early parts of the race.

5. Rock On John. J & D Fahey.

His box manners have been on song lately and he probably holds the key to the race. By showing
up early he will most likely find a leading position and take a few others out of winning contention.
By missing away he leaves the door open for Jelly Fish, Chrome, and Federal Ranger to have a
better shot at the lead. Has been a lot stronger in his run homes lately and if he finds the lead he
will be tough to peg back.

6. Federal Ranger. L Cole.

His heat win was sound after having to navigate through traffic. A definite improver for the final
and will exit from box 6 once again. His mid pace burn is probably his best asset and is every
chance of victory if he can get handy or follow Rock On John across early. Has only lost once in 9
career starts to date but this is by far his biggest test.

7. Stay Connected. M Goodier.

Charged home late in his heat for second behind Rock On John when the race was all over.
Definitely has the strength late but could be too far back in this field from an awkward draw to get
into the race. Only Class 2 graded with 3 career wins to date. A big effort to make the final but it is
hard to see him figuring here.

8. Allegro Nixon. L Cole.

Has good outside draw statistics but the wins have mainly been at Manawatu where he is much
better suited. Stuck on well for second from box 1 in his heat behind Jelly Fish. His second last
week was his first placing over the 520m at Whanganui from eight starts. Hard to see him getting
around some of the greyhounds in this field, and it would be a big effort from him to run in the
money