He’s All Go chalks up fourth Group One victory
He’s All Go was too good in the Group 1 Waterloo Cup on Sunday. Photo credit: Rhian Farrell.
The super exciting greyhound He’s All Go proved to be too strong for his rivals when he swept to his compelling victory in Sunday’s running of the time-honoured Waterloo Cup, which was first contested for as a coursing event in 1874.
The Lisa Cole-prepared star chaser displayed tremendous strength when he gunned down a pair of his freewheeling kennelmates to easily secure his fourth career Group 1 title, clocking a very respectable 30.14 for his 527m assignment on a rain-sodden track.
It was an all mighty full-on charge into the first turn, featuring three of the four Cole-trained runners in the classy field.
The dual Group 1 winner Blazin’ Master held the rail, while the current New Zealand Cup title holder Federal Infrared had made an electric start from the eight-trap. Meanwhile, switching off hind paws and placing himself in clear racing air was He’s All Go.
Blazin’ Master led down the back straight, being hotly pursued by Federal Infrared, with He’s All Go stalking them, as this trio of outstanding greyhounds put a decent break on the remainder of the field.
Rounding the final turn, He’s All Go put in huge bounds around the outer and he maintained that strong gallop, powerfully running through the line when completing the run home sectional in 14.65, holding a 3.5 length advantage over his kennelmates.
Blazin’ Master, who reached the first mark in 4.71 and the back mark in 15.49, gamely chased in behind and he posted his fifth Group 1 second placing when holding a 1.25 length margin over a gallant Federal Infrared, who rounded off a Group 1 training trifecta for Team Cole.
The third placed finish by Federal Infrared saw New Zealand greyhound racing history being created, with the $3,905 earned by the Noeline Benjes-owned daughter of Aussie Infrared and Flo Jo Focus overtaking the previous New Zealand stakes earning record holder Little Mother ($377,751) when advancing her career earnings up to $380,708, with all bar $1,200 of that being won in New Zealand.
“He’s All Go is a phenomenal greyhound. He was cruising in behind two very good greyhounds and then he powerfully put them away with his run home time being off the charts. He will be deadly running over 650m trips.
“The New Zealand Futurity is next up for him (Group 1, Hatrick June 21 520m heats). At this stage, the New Zealand Cup is his main target and then we’ll look at other options after that,” explained Brendon Cole about the 2.5-year-old son of Aston Dee Bee and Big Time Izzy.
He’s All Go is quickly compiling a spectacular career record, with his 21 raceday appearances now yielding him a remarkable 18 wins and two minor placings, adding up to $115,299 in stake earnings for his owning White Horse Toaster syndicate.
Former GRNZ Board member Kevin Brady owns a share in He’s All Go, and he was on course on Sunday to witness the potent win.
“That was a real gutsy, very brave run for such a young dog, and I guess there’s a lot more to come. I’m really pleased that Brendon asked me to go in him,” enthused Brady.
Cole also commented on the new New Zealand stakes record created by Federal Infrared.
“It’s really hard to compare greyhounds from different eras. Little Mother was definitely the stronger greyhound and it’s pleasing that the record stays with greyhounds we have trained.”
The Cole-trained Waterloo Cup trifecta isn’t the first time that the kennel has clean swept a Group 1 race. That previously occurred in the 2020 New Zealand Oaks Final at Addington, when Cole qualified all eight runners for the 520m event, won by Big Time Elsa.
It was another hugely successful afternoon of premier racing for the powerful Cole kennels, mentoring the winner of six of the 11 races decided. The kennel had also provided the trifecta in the abandoned Auckland Derby 527m race.
Illustrating the deep and successful breeding programme operated by the Coles is that all six of their winners were bred at their Palmerston North-based establishment, plus they also bred the Rob Roper-owned and trained Big Time Walter, who won the SENZ 1476am C5 318m sprint.
“The team went terrific and it was another good day for us,” expressed Cole, with the kennel now having prepared 793 winners and $3,312,790 in stake earnings for the current season following Monday’s Manawatu meeting.
By Peter Fenemor
