Stage set for Group 1 SENZ Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar
Know Keeper is unbeaten in 16 staying races. Photo supplied by the Auckland Greyhound Racing Club.
Know Keeper justified his favouritism for the$80,000 Group 1 SENZ Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar, when he took out his heat by nearly 16 lengths on Sunday.
The champion stayer jumped straight to the lead off Box 2, and got further and further in front as the race progressed. Nighthawk Style found the line well for second, ahead of Shelly Pom and Little Teegs.
On a wet day at Manukau Stadium, Know Keeper shone, and trainer Garry Cleeve couldn’t be happier with his charge going into the final.
“I’ve just got to get him to do a repeat in the final!” said Cleeve.
“I’m really pleased with how he got the trip. Hopefully he can step away from Box 4 on Sunday and find clear air. The trip home was really good for him, and he’s pulled up a treat.
“He’s had it pretty quiet since he got home. I’ll let him out for a free gallop by himself tomorrow (Wednesday) and he’ll have a hydro-bath on Thursday.
“The plan is to travel back up on Saturday, but we are watching the weather. If we have to make an early getaway to get across on the ferry earlier, then we will.”
His littermate, Know Account, finished fourth in the first heat behind Thrilling Rogue, providing Cleeve with two shots at New Zealand’s most coveted staying race title.
“The recovery of both dogs has been amazing. I keep throwing Know Account out as a bit of a roughie. In terms of the sectional times, Know Account actually had the second fastest run home on the day behind Know Keeper. Know Keeper’s run home was actually only 1.5 lengths quicker than Know Account’s.
“I’ve got $200 on him at $7 to finish in the top three for the final! I did that last year with Know Keeper to place in the Auckland Cup at $11, and that kept the phone account topped up forever,” he laughed.
“Know Account has come up with a draw he can hopefully use – hopefully he can get away not too badly and take up a handy position. And you know he’ll be finishing better than a lot of them.
“Training, breeding and owning these dogs – it’s the pinnacle, really. I’ve been involved in the sport for nearly 40 years, and I’ve never won one of the big three (New Zealand Cup, Auckland Cup, Silver Collar). I’ve been close.
“On paper, Know Keeper looks like the dog to tick that off the bucket list for me.”
Thrilling Rogue was impressive in winning his heat on Sunday. Photo supplied by the Auckland Greyhound Racing Club.
Prior to the first Silver Collar heat, the late money came for Thrilling Rogue, and the son of Magic Sprite and Corinth Bale did not let punters down. He began quickly off Box 1, and from there, the rest couldn’t catch him. Mr Farenheit was gallant in defeat for Carol Morris, with Centurion and Know Account finishing third and fourth.
It was Thrilling Rogue’s first attempt over 779m, having only stepped up to the 600m trip last month.
Karen Walsh, who has previously trained three winners of the Silver Collar (Thrilling Amelia 2021, Thrilling Brat 2013 and Thrilling May 2006), is pleased with how her greyhound has come through the heat.
“He’s come through it 100 percent,” advised Walsh. “I’m actually quite stunned by just how well he’s come through it. There’s usually a level of fatigue after the race, no matter now fit the dog is, but I couldn’t get him off the lure.
“I put him in a paddock the next morning to amble about and stretch his legs, but he bolted around like a lunatic,” she laughed.
“It’s pretty hard to be confident against Know Keeper, and obviously we would have liked an inside draw. There are two other real speed dogs in the race and they are both drawn inside us, which isn’t ideal because he does want the fence.
“He’ll be running for luck early. Hopefully he can get in a good position because he has to be handy, I think.”
By Liz Whelan
$80,000 Group 1 SENZ Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar - Race 8 @ 3:27pm
- Mr Farenheit - Carol Morris
- Know Account - Garry Cleeve
- Nighthawk Style - Matt Roberts
- Know Keeper - Garry Cleeve
- Thrilling Rogue - Karen Walsh
- Centurion - Jean & Dave Fahey
- Shelly Pom - Sean Codlin
- Little Teegs - Arch Lawrence
- He’s Ali - Gary Fredrickson
- Shanmaria - Arch Lawrence
