Caterpie Bale and Know Defence win respective NZ Nationals Finals
Pictured: Caterpie Bale caused an upset winning the NZ Nationals Middle Distance Final. Photo credit: Dave Robbie.
Caterpie Bale and Know Defence produced strong races to stylishly win their respective $10,000 New Zealand Nationals finals at Addington Raceway on Thursday night.
It appears that it has been easier for the 525m and 732m winners to win their races than get to Australia, judging by the logistical exercise that is currently being worked through to get both greyhounds over to Adelaide in a timely manner.
The Craig Roberts-prepared Caterpie Bale stalked the pace-making Goldstar Mila throughout, and it was over the last 20 meters of the race that Caterpie Bale mastered and then kicked away from Goldstar Mila to book her trans-Tasman crossing by three-quarters of a length, clocking 30.78 on a slow track.
Goldstar Mila was brave for her conditioner Riley Evans, and she held a length advantage over the third placed Garry Cleeve-trained race favourite Who’s Jealous.
For Caterpie Bale, it was her first attempt racing over 525m. She is a proven short course sprinter and was stepped up 457m racing two-starts ago as her conditioner explains.
“She got knocked around when I raced her over 457m; however, she came home strongly. I decided to give her an Addington post-to-post and she went good enough to merit her racing over 525m, so I decided to give her a go at the Nationals.
“I’m rapt with her race, winning it fair and square. She has come a long way from where she was when first arrived here.”
Roberts was in the process of working through potential travel arrangements to get the Brendan Wheeler-owned Caterpie Bale to Adelaide for the 24 August Australian National Sprint final at Angle Park.
“Yes, I’m keen to go, however she needs to get there in time for her to trial at Angle Park. Hopefully, it is possible for us to fly via Sydney from Christchurch,” added Roberts.
He also advised that the 2022/23 NZ Sprinter of the Year and serious contender for back-to-back titles from the just completed season Levi Bale is in semi-retirement.
“He checked out okay this morning, but we’ll give him a couple of weeks off and then make a decision on his racing future. You can say that Levi Bale is currently semi-retired.”
NZ Nationals Distance Final
Know Defence was tenacious in winning the NZ Nationals Distance Final. Photo credit: Dave Robbie.
It was a determined pace-making 732m staying performance by the Garry Cleeve-mentored Know Defence that saw him book his passage to Adelaide.
The Cleeve-bred son of Mepunga Bale and Classy Witch raced paw-to-paw with the Matt Roberts trained $1.30 favourite Chief Dribble when rounding the first turn.
Know Defence eased clear with a lap of the track to race, and he boldly held Chief Dribble at bay for the remainder of the trip, ultimately taking out the event by a comfortable 2.75 length margin, returning 44.29 for his 732m assignment.
“Watching the race, I thought it was only a matter of time before Chief Dribble would pick up Know Defence. I considered that Chief Dribble was given the perfect preparation for the race, and he would be too strong for us, especially considering it turned into more like a Silver Collar (779m) type of race owing to the soft track.
“I’m absolutely rapt with his race when pushing underneath them early, then when he maintained a strong run throughout. You always appreciate a good win like that,” said Cleeve, about Know Defence who he races with his partner Gaylene Turnwald.
“Crafty” Cleeve has experienced previous success at Angle Park, having won the inaugural Christchurch – Adelaide Sister City Cup there in 2000 with Token Token, while kennelmate Go Jenny Go ran third.
Cleeve also travelled to Sydney with his star stayer Know Keeper two years ago for the Australian Nationals Distance final.
“It wasn’t ideal with Know Keeper, as owing to travel and time constraints we weren’t able to trial at Wentworth Park. It looks even harder this time, as at this stage, we don’t know if we can fly from Christchurch or have to drive to Auckland first.
“Sydney (daughter) handled Know Defence in his race last night and she told me straight after the race, “I’m off to Adelaide”. which we have no problems with.
“We now have to work out the travel arrangements in making the decision of going over during the 10-day window that is available to us or if Know Defence stays there longer for other races.
“Although Know Defence isn’t in the same class as Know Keeper, I believe that our Kiwi greyhounds have reached the higher level where they can at least match the Aussie dogs,” advised Cleeve.
Pawnote: The traditional rich $7,500 Gerrards Horse & Hound Canterbury OTB Maiden Final was contested during Thursday’s meeting.
Many greyhounds who have raced in this 525m feature have carried on to enjoy outstanding racing careers. This year’s winner looks likely to do likewise.
Original Warrior gave his rivals no chance, as the Southern Boys owned son of Mepunga Blazer and Rock On Annie blasted his way to his effortless 30.99, 6.5 length victory for his trainers Dave and Jean Fahey in just his fourth race start.
By Peter Fenemor
