RACING WRAP
Racing Wrap 13th April 2025
Performance
of the Day Go Cooper
Go Cooper
made it three wins in ten days when clearing out to win the C3 Pump &
Engineering Stake by 2½ lengths.
Having recorded
a strong win in a quality restricted age race at Cambridge on Thursday night,
the Bookies had him at compressed odds. After a tardy start he weaved a path
through the field to take control of the race from Big Time Central in the back
straight and applied the afterburners to clear the field. His winning time of 30.91
was just outside his PBT 30.90, the run home 15.05.
Go Cooper is
raced by Opawa Racing Limited and Sam Lozell and trained at Putaruru by Sam.
Noteworthy
Performances
·
Phil’s Hattrick
Phi Green enjoyed a hat-trick
of wins on the day, namely You Turn, Foxtrot Mila and You Pick One, to the
delight of the punters.
Phil is no stranger to training three winners in a day but having reduced the size of his team in recent years, this was a special day. Sunday’s runners took his total number of starters at the Manukau Stadium to 69 where in recent seasons he would have lined up 200-300 runners. His UDR for the season is a .3768, second on the Manukau Stadium’ Trainers Table.
· Big Time Lena
It was advantage to the wide
runner in the Hewlett Electrical Sprint. Big Time Lena avoided the mid race shuffle,
and powered home down the middle of the track to grab victory from Hunter Karen
and Just One Grin. Trained by Peter Heterick for Stacey McCarthy this was a well-deserved
win. Big Time Lena’s most recent win was in the Silver Bracelet on Auckland Cup
Day.
· Big Time Lockey, a Living Billboard
Big Time Lockey, the silent
achiever, won his 11th race for the season (career 22 wins) and has season
stake earnings of $20k.
When the AGRC introduced the SPECA Veterans’ Races in July 2024 Big Time Lockey’s career was in a tailspin. He had recently joined Ron & Nyomi’s kennel, from Team Cole., He had the ‘Gold Card’ but was graded at C3 and regularly sat on the reserve bench. Finally in September he downgraded to C1 and qualified for the SPECA Veterans’ Races.
The downgrade reignited his racing career and he is now 14th on the GRNZ’s Greyhound of the Year Table (based on wins), with 11 wins. While he will not feature in the Nominees list for the GRNZ Annual Award he is the billboard for ‘Our Dogs Love to Race campaign.
Times
318m Best of Day Wild
Pansy 18.45
First Section Dynamic Kiwi 4.55
Run Home Wild Pansy 13.86
527m Best of the Day Unique
Sunrise 30.79
Run Home Unique Sunrise 15.03
Trainers 3 Wins: Phil Green
Wins Sam Lozell and Jared Udy & Neissy
Cottam
Dog to Follow
Highs And Lows
Highs And Lows will derive huge benefits for his race debut.
Racing Wrap 30th March 2025
Performance
of the Day Just One
Grin
Just One Grin
turned the Hewlett Electrica Sprint into a one act affair. He stepped in front and
after cutting out the first section in 4.48, he charged to the winning post in
a very slick 13.69 run home time. The overall time was 18.17 just outside his
PBT of 18.16.
Only three
other dogs have won in 18.17 or better this season, namely Jerry Cola 18.06,
Everest Sky (18.14) and Hunter Lou (18.17). So, this performance rated in the top
five fastest sprints at the Manukau Stadium this season. What made performance even
more meritorious was the track was running outside ST in all other grades.
Just On Grin
is trained by Tracey & Lisa Craik who enjoyed a wonderful day at the office
with Portland Nicky, Ingratiate and Portland Mark also winning on the day.
Noteworthy
Performances
·
You Turn
You Turn benefited from his first
race day appearance spreadeagling the CO sprint winning by 8½ lengths, his time
18.80 was well under the 18.86 ST.
You Turn is the first winner for the Bernardo-Victoria Lu litter, Victoria Lu being a Silver Bracelet winner. Trained by Phil Green for owners Faye Lockhart and the Estate of Ray Adcock.
· Boom Lateral
The Auckland Stayers Cup
winner, Boom Lateral made it back-to-back wins at the Manukau Stadium when he turned
to the C1 527m race into a romp in the park. His 30.72 winning time is well
under the 30.90 ST.
· Epic In Trouble
Epic In Trouble chalked up the
hattrick of wins at the Manukau Stadium when taking out the All The News at
Trackside (C2) Sprint in 18.76. While she enjoyed a saloon rails passage early in
the race, she drifted off the rail into the straight and had to dig deep ton
reserves to peg back Youtan Poluo.
Times
318m Best of Day Just
One Grin 18.17
First Section Just One Grin 4.48
Run Home Portland Mark 13.68
527m Best of the Day Boom
Lateral 30.72
Run Home Boom Lateral 14.84
Trainers 4 Wins: Tracey & Lisa Craik
2 Wins Ron & Nyomi O’Regan and Rob
Roper
Dog to Follow
Aldebaran
The money (SP $1.60) came for Aldebaran, who was racing on the downgrade, but he could not withstand the powerful finishing sprint of Big Time Walter.
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