RACING WRAP
Racing Wrap 23rd March 2025
Performance
of the Day Wild
Pansy
Wild Pansy racing
in a C5/4 took advantage of racing away from the Northern Region’s best sprinters
to score a decisive win. Starting from box 8 in a competitive race in the
opening section she applied the afterburners and took control of the race into
the bend. Thereafter, it was race over and she won by an ever increasing 4 lengths.
Her 18.35 winning time was Best of the Day and included a slick 13.74 run home.
This was her
third win at Manukau since purchased by Alan Bear and joining the Ross &
Lynne Udy Kennel after the Auckland Cup Carnival.
Noteworthy
Performances
·
The ‘Smith Show’ Rolls On
Sakura kicked to hold the
rails run into the first turn and thereafter she toyed with opposition to race
away and gain her first middle distance win. Her 30.75 was well under the 30.85
(ST) for C2 dogs. Other winners for Mark & John Smith on the day were Gone
Walkabout, who graduated to C5, and Not Like Us.
· Portland Nicky
The money came for Portland
Nicky and once the boxes opened her supporters could quickly head to the payout
queue. Trained by Tracey & Lisa Craik Portland Nicky was having her first
race day appearance since the 5th December 2024 and she had a class edge
on the opposition in the Our Dogs Love to Race Sprint (C2/1) winning in an 18.62
(ST 18.75).
· Waerenga Nova
Waerenga Nova scored her 15th
win at the Manukau Stadium when she dug deep to win the All The News at Trackside
Sprint (C3). Whilst in greyhound terms she has held a ‘gold card’ for a while she
retains the box speed to regularly feature in the quickest first sectional
times list at the Manukau. Stadium. Trained by Jared Udy & Neissy Cottam her
stake earnings now exceed $32K.
Times
318m Best of Day Wild
Pansy 18.35
First Section Waerenga Nova 4.57
Run Home Wild Pansy 13.74
527m Best of the Day Gone
Walkabout 30.59
Run Home Gone Walkabout 14.91
Trainers 3 Wins: Mark
& John Smith
2 Wins Tracey
& Lisa Craik and Jared Udy & Neissy Cottam
Milestones Sean Codlin 60th win for season
Rob
Roper 30th win for season/ 20th win at Manukau.
Peter Heterick 20th win at Manukau.
Dog to Follow
Hunter Lou
Hunter Lou will benefit from his first race day start 30 days. Plus, he will be racing on the downgrade.
Racing Wrap 16th March 2025
Performance
of the Day Thrilling
Wilma
Thrilling Wilma,
once clear of the pack steadily made ground through the bend. On straightening
she shifted wider on the track and stormed home to pick up the two speedsters,
Waerenga Nova and You Pick One, within the shadows of the winning post.
This was Thrilling
Wilma’s 13th win and took her earnings to $31k. Trained by Danialle
Elder for the Green. Smith Bright & Mcleod Syndicate. An ownership group
that also enjoyed wins on the day with Unique Sunrise and Shadowed.
Noteworthy
Performances
·
Just Loves to Win
Just One Grin made it three
wins in eight days when taking out the Hewlett Electrical Sprint (C5) in an
18.39. Race caller Aaron White aptly summed the feat up by saying Just One Grin
just ‘loves to win.’
· Hunter George
Hunter George proved too
strong as he sprinted clear to win in the All The News at Trackside Series
Final in 18.63. While he is wide runner destined for C5 ranks he continues to wander
all over the track in the straight. Trainer Rob Roper had two winners on the
day the other Big Time Hinda, who recently resumed racing after an enforced
layoff winning the last race.
· Unique Sunrise
Unique Sunrise won the Mt Wellington
TAB Stakes on the first turn when he held the lead over Spin Black. He held a
strong gallop throughout to score a strong win in a 30.59 (ST 30.77). His win made
it the 20th win for Mark & John Smith for the season at the Manukau
Stadium, equaling their 2023/24 total.
Times
318m Best of Day Just
One Grin 18.39
First Section Waerenga Nova & Go Amber 4.58
Run Home Just One Grin 13.79
527m Best of the Day Unique
Sunrise 30.59
Run Home Unique Sunrise 15.00
Trainers 3 Wins: Mark
& John Smith
2 Wins Tracey
& Lisa Craik, Ron & Nyomi O’Regan and Robert Roper
Dog to Follow
Not Another
Not Another was making ground late after jostling for racing room early.
Racing Wrap 9th March 2025
Performance of the Day
Gone Walkabout
Gone Walkabout showed a touch of class in the Mt Wellington TAB Stakes. kicking clear of the field across the top and maintained a strong gallop to win by 3 lengths. His run home time 15.00.
From the outset Mega Power, SP $22, took control of the race and Gone Walkabouts was forced to race outside of him. These two dueled for the lead until Gone Walkabout gained control. Mega Power held on bravely for second place.
Trained by Mark & John Smith, Gone Walkabout made it 3 wins from 3 starts at the Manukau Stadium
Noteworthy Performances
Sportsbowl Function Centre Series
The day featured four heats for the Sportsbowl Function Centre (C1) Series. All four heat winners were the Punters’ elect but they all had to display track sense to gain their win.
·
Waiterimu Gem racing on the downgrade showed grit to run down the speedy Jean Genie
·
Shadowed was lost for early speed, settled at the tail end of the field, and had to weave a passage through to win.
·
Helena Jet copped a check down the back, recovered and ran on strongly to secure the win over Aces.
·
Sakura gave the punters the biggest headache. After a slow beginning it was not till the home turn until he found a clear passage and
seized the win off Fawn Over You.
Waiterimu Gem took time honours for the Heats with a winning time of 18.80.
·
Waerenga Josay
The money came for the track specialist Waerenga Josay in the May Hounds Rehoming Group (C4) Sprint and when she jumped with Highview Spot her supporters never had any concerns. The win takes her Track Stats to 35 starts 9 wins and 10 placings.
·
Just One Grin
Just One Grin made it back-to-back wins in the C5 Sprint. He took the time honours on the day, 18.40 and a RH of 13.86.
Times
318m Best of Day Just One Grin 18.40
First Section Just One Grin 4.54
Run Home Just One Grin 13.86
527m Best of the Day Gone Walkabout 30.77
Run Home Gone Walkabout 15.00
Trainers 3 Wins: Mark & John Smith
2 Wins Ron & Nyomi O’Regan and Ross & Lynne Udy
Dog To Follow
Go Reuben
Go Reuben, a recent import from the South to Sean Codlin’s kennel, will benefit from his first race at the Manukau Stadium.
Racing Wrap 2nd March 2025
Performance of the Day Just One Grin
All eyes were on the start of the Happy Retirement Where’s Neville Sprint to see Just One Grin opening bound. It was all smiles as Just One Grin quickly disputed the lead with the speedy Hunter Karen. He then asserted his authority and waved goodbye to the field. Winning by an ever-increasing 5¼ lengths in a BOD 18.24 (C5 ST 18.48).
The other feature of the race was the Bookie’s Offer, Just One Grin SP was a very generous $4.30.
Noteworthy Performances
·
Hey Driver
With a dominant win Hey Driver made it a winning debut at the Manukau Stadium for Team Cole in the C3/2 Papatoetoe Cossie Club Punters Section Stakes. Having chased home the likes of Opawa Blake, All Over Rover and Need A Favour in recent starts he was the Punters’ elect and in a tidy lineup his supporters had no concerns during the race.
·
Portland Mark
Portland Mark showed a clean set of heels to the opposition as he scooped up a Bonus C4 win, his time 18.49, run home 13.90.
·
Go Jill
It could be easily glossed over as the ‘right race-right time but Go Jill had secured this race a long way from home. His time 18.56 was well under the ST 18.66. This was his first win at the Manukau Stadium and second win after an enforced layoff.
Times
318m Best of Day Just One Grin 18.24
First Section Hunter Karen 4.46
Run Home Just On Grin 13.78
527m Best of the Day Schmeichel 30.85
Run Home Hey Driver 15.68
Trainers 3 Wins: Tracey & Lisa Craik
2 Wins Lisa Cole, Ron & Nyomi O’Regan and Mark & John Smith
Dog to Follow
Go Cooper
It was a total forgive run for Go Cooper, just as he started to move into the race his chance were extinguished when Sakura tried to piggyback a ride home