Auckland dogs most impressive

Press, 7 November 1978, Page 6

Auckland dogs most impressive

BY 808 SCHUMACHER < Three New Zealand grey- ' hound championships have been run at Queen Elizabeth , II Park since the Christ- < church Club moved to the < track and all have been won j by Christchurch longtails. ( But that fine record is < likely to come to an end on , Thursday evening when the i 1978 national greyhound i championship is run. Judging by the two semi- ’ finals at Q.E.11 Park last i evening, it would appear that the two Auckland rep- ! resentatives, Steel Fender i and Sportoka, have a mbrt- 1 gage on the race. . , The top Christchurch hope. Smoky Hobbs, finished fourth in the second semi- I final and with the first four ; greyhounds from each semifinal qualifying, he earned a 1 start in the final. However, he did not hit out freely and was in a gap ' behind the first three. It was I later discovered that he suf- ' fered a recurrence of an old , injury and will not start in : the final. Alta Smooth, which was just run down by Space Triumph in the first semi- i final, will be the only • Christchurch representative 1 in the final. The black and ; white Buffeteer dog has a torrent of sneed and will not ; be a forlorn prospect. Space Triumph, from Invercargill, was a surprise winner of the first semifinal. After receiving a good i run behind Alta Smooth, the southern visitor proved too strong in the home straight. Jumping excellently from • j the inside, Sportoka was 'never headed in the second 1 !

semi-final and won we’ from Ratio’s Image (Auck land). The fields in box draw for th feature races at the natiom championship meeting on Thur, day evening are:— New Zealand championshi: Invitation. — General Titar (Taranaki), Poneke Princes (Wellington), Trusty Hobb. (Christchurch), Wonder Baron (Wellington, doubtful) Parachute King (tovecargill), Kinkade Lao (Auckland), Mystic Wave (Christ church), Eillen McManus (Christchurch). _ New Zealand championship final.—Space Triumph (Invercar gill), Smoky Hobbs (Christ church, doubtful). Fawn Sleek (Hawera), Sportoka (Auckland). Steel Fender (Auckland.; Sir Kenrick (Oamaru), Ratio’s Image (Auckland), Alta Smooth (Christ church). Results:— Class O.—Heat 1 1350 m): April Flyer (G. Palmer) 1. Kellubl <M. Walker) 2, Astral Blue (G. Little, 3. Time: 24.42. Class O.—Heat 2 ‘350m1: Regal Inn (S. T. Taylor) 1, Linelsear (W. J. Morris) 2, Red Speedy (I. Kaye) 3. Time: 21.16. Class O.—Heat 3 (350m>: Ben Gloaming <M. G. Moore) 1, Red and Smooth <S. Evans) 2, Churchill Downs tS. T Taylor) 3 Time: 20.84. Class O.—Heat 4 <3somc Speedy Morgan (S. A. Ganei 1, Wayward Fella (W. J. Morris) 2, Gogb Kilty (S. T. Taylor: 3. Time: 20.64. Class 1.—350 m: Mr Periwinkle (J. Proudlock) 1, Hawkesmor Sara (Mrs V. Bean) 3, Fawn Finola (B. S. Street) 3. Time: 20.68. New Zealand championship semi-finals (590m).—Heat 1: Space Triumph (L. Tucker) 1, Alta Smooth (J. Van Orsouw* 2, Steel Fender (D. Van Neeuweni 3. Time: 36.11. Heat 2: Sportoka (D. Van Neeuwen) 1, Ratio’s Image (A. Duursma) 2, Sir Kenrick (S. Wilson; 3. Time: 36.10. Class L—Heat 1 (540 m Marshall Hobbs (Mrs M. Kingston: 1, Keydor Moss (G. Reesby) 2, Rimu Lass (Mrs V. Bean) 3. Time: 33.50. Class I.—Heat 2 (540 m Racketeer (D. Jones) 1. Ring Round Me (T. and K. Joli) 2. Avulsion (S. Valentine) 3. No time.