Jay Walker, Chief Dribble, and Opawa Archer Shine in Group Race Finals
Jay Walker highlighted a compelling evening of Thursday chasing action at the Addington Raceway where three Group races finals were decided.
The Garry Cleeve prepared Jay Walker left nothing to chance when he pinged away from the 525m two-trap from where he dictated terms to his rivals when delivering his freewheeling 30.23 Group 1 victory in the $30,000 2024 Springston Hotel South Island Champs
Closing rapidly at the business end was the Dave and Jean Fahey trained Opawa Shirley, who after encountering early traffic issues, flew home along the rail to get to just half a length adrift of Jay Walker.
Her kennelmate Sefton Heights had led the chase after the pacemaker and he was gallant when holding third a further length astern.
Cleeve had also qualified Jay Walker’s litter brother Zestful, who started as the race favourite. He was luckless after being dragged down when racing into the first turn.
“I was very happy with Jay Walker, along with the rest of our team during the night. I knew when Jay Walker jumped into the lead that he would be hard for the others to catch.
“A while ago we gave our kids an interest in them. To her credit Sydney (daughter) picked out Jay Walker when he was a young dog. Anthony (son) settled on Zestful,” advised Cleeve who added, “Sydney’s connection with the dog is excellent – we’re stepping back a bit and letting her to be more hands on, doing more of the handling, strapping etc.”
And it was an ecstatic and emotional Sydney Cleeve who brought Jay Walker back to the podium for the Group 1 presentation.
Cleeve is excited about the future for the Dyna Vickers and Know State siblings, saying. “They are turning into a very good all round litter and it’s a big thrill with what they are already doing, especially with the big races coming up like the New Zealand Cup meeting.”
“They are already measuring up to the older, more seasoned greyhounds, while they are restricted age dogs, so I guess there will be a fair of travelling to come and we will be looking at placing them to their best advantage.”
Jay Walker, who was bred by his owners Garry Cleeve and Gaylene Turnwald, biggest career win came in just his 17th race start. He has won nine of those races, while placing in another three. His career stake earnings, which look to quickly blossom, now sit at $39,503.
2024 Ray Adcock Memorial
Chief Dribble strongly reinforced his 2023/24 NZ Stayer of the Year status when his trainer Matt Roberts produced his star stayer to adopt catch-me-if-you-can tactics to romp away in the $20,000 2024 Ray Adcock Memorial Distance over the 732m trip.
It was a racing tactic that the legendary conditioner Ray Adcock would have approved!
It was a potent staying performance as Chief Dribble was never seriously challenged at any stage during his free-striding 43.17 victory, delivered by a comfortable 2.75 length margin.
Bravely leading the vain chase after the pacemaker throughout was Know Defence for Garry Cleeve. He gamely stuck to his task when claiming the runners-up prize.
Grande Vue Ace had settled back in the field from where she fairly rocketed home to secure the third placing just a neck further behind for her conditioner Bob Pringle.
“I was always concerned when Chief Dribble set up the pace and having to maintain that with such a strong stayer like Know Defence sitting in behind him. You are never sure and it’s isn’t over until it’s over. I guess he took bad luck out of the equation.
“Chief Dribble showed tremendous determination and it is a huge honour for us to train the winner of the race that’s held in Ray’s memory. He trained a number of top stayers like Ring The Bell and Emulate,” commented Roberts about the inaugural GRNZ Hall of Fame human inductee.
Roberts then added, “Chief Dribble is increditable in the way he bounces back. He was ready to go again the next day. We might look at taking him down to Ascot Park for a look as there’s a Group race coming up down there. However, the NZ Stayers Cup (November) is on his agenda.”
The Group 2 victory for Chief Dribble came in his 50th race start, from where the son of Shima Shine and Slinky Inky has won 19 of those races and placed in another 15 outings. That all adds up to $130,223 is stake earnings for his owner Mandy Haines.
2024 The Homekill Guys Canterbury Futurity
Leading local trainers Dave and Jean Fahey hold a vicelike mortgage on the Canterbury Futurity title and that factor was strongly illustrated by the couple applying the finishing touches to Opawa Archer who became the 12th winner they have mentored in this Group 2 525m event, with it also being the eighth Opawa Racing owned and bred winner the couple have mentored to prevail in the race.
It was a heroic effort by Opawa Archer as he was required to run down his pace-making kennelmate Opawa Schofer. In the past he hasn’t been known for strength at the business end of his races which accounted for the $14.40 tote win dividend that his supporters received.
Opawa Schofer led the field into the back straight, however Opawa Archer dived underneath her, which proved to be the winning move.as he maintained a strong gallop to reach the judge while holding a length margin over his kennelmate after 30.20 seconds of hard out chasing.
Garry Cleeve produced the strong chaser Charley Horse to rush home late for his bold third placing another two-lengths behind.
“Yes, it was good night. I wasn’t expecting Opawa Archer to keep on going, however he did. He’s always had ability, but doesn’t always show it – he did last night,” said Dave Fahey about the winner of 12 of his 34 races and $55,214 in stake earnings. Opawa Archer is son of the hugely successful sire Winsome Opawa out of the consistent producer Dream Kay.
“Opawa Schofer was good and we’re happy to train the quinella. It is also very satisfying to train another winner of this race for Robin (Wales) and Opawa Racing.”
It was another hugely successful meeting for the Fahey’s who prepared six-winners, including the exciting young sprinter Jerry Cola (Aussie Infrared – Isavana) who graduated into the open-class ranks with his swift 16.75 C4 295m win. It was the current Addington 16.66 295m track record holders 10th win from just 12 race day appearances.
And long-time kennel handler Mark Lin handled all six of the Fahey winners during the evening while celebrating his birthday on Thursday.
Another highlight during the premier meeting was provided by the classy Lisa Cole trained He’s All Go. The White Horse Toaster syndicate owned son of Aston Dee Bee and Big Time Izzy treated his rivals with contempt when striding to his 30.22 525m win and advancing his career record to 27 wins (3 placings) and $171,145 in stake earnings from his 32 races.
By Peter Fenemor
