Northern dogs appeal in feature

Press, 9 November 1978, Page 23

Northern dogs appeal in feature

BY

BOB SCHUMACHER

On ’performances in the’ semi-finals on Monday even ing, it would appear that the Auckland representatives, I Sportoka and Steel Fender,.. will dispute favouritism for ' the 1978 Lion Breweries L [New Zealand greyhound' championship at Queen! 'Elizabeth II Park this evening. h The best prospect of a[ South Island victory rests with the powerfully-built\ Oamaru dog, Sir Kenrick.! The three-year-old son of; Ballykiity and Kenrick Lady; [won the New Zealand ; Fairchild sprint champion(ship over the same distance I(590m) last year. I It is doubtful if any other; [runner can match Sir Kenrick’s finishing burst over; the last 100 m and much will; depend on the early running. He is often a slow starter, [ and that could count against' him in a quality field. Both Sportoka and Steel 'Fender have fared badly in; the draw, starting from No.; 4 and No. 5 respectively.. They will need to step out] .smartly or they will run the;; risk of being squeezed at the; first bend as the outsidedogs cross to the rail. [ Sportoka took advantage!, of the inside box in his-; [semi-final and led through-j ! out. He might not find it so ; .easy to win the race for the :< ! lead in the final. However,; ihe looked a classy dog and [he should win the $lOOO [first prize money and the! trophy. The Invercargill representative, Space Triumph, won; ■ the first semi-final, coming I ; from a trailing position to ! [wear down the pacemaking; Alta Smooth near the finish. . I The Grand Triumph dog; [was ,01s faster than Spor-I [toka and if blessed by the! [perfect run again, might test; [the fancied Auckland pair iand Sir Kenrick. Space! [Triumph has the inside box; draw. [ There was much to admire [in the finish of Fawn Sleek [ iin the first semi-final. Al-[ [though the Hawera visitor! [was only fourth he was un-[ sighted down the back) [straight and ran on deter-' [ minedly to qualify. Fawn [ Sleek has a recent victory. [over Steel Fender to his!, 'credit and should give plen-.t [ty of cheek from the third j (trap. !

Ratio's Image (Auckland) and Alta Smooth (Christchurch) complete the field and both have drawn wide. Ratio’s Image was runner-up .to Sport oka and should improve with the experience on the track. i Alta Smooth is one of the smartest youngsters in' Canterbury. The Buffeteer--Smooth Flight dog has al-, ready won the Lord Shannon Cup with his front-running, tactics and he could well be 1 the pacemaker in the final. With the withdrawal of! Smoky Hobbs. Alta Smooth: will be Christchurch's only' ; representative in the final. The treble might return a good dividend. The second! leg has attracted a finei ! field of form runners and [ any could win at good odds. Buzz’s Babe, from the in-[ [Side box, is the form dog ini The first leg and looks an anchor bet. Ross Rual, Main! ; Competitor and Slitrig Dancer all make strong appeal in Ithe very open second leg. Old Bryn, a good second at his last start, might finish in front in the third race,', although the good stayer.. Highsted Lass, and Bright Planet, a speedy type not; too strong in stamina, might! dispute the finish. SELECTIONS Caledonian Hotel Stakes: Master Brydie, Dazzling Ace, Kiltybegs. Lion Tavern Stakes; Buzz's Babe, Cracker Starlet, Shelly's Here. Russley Hotel Stakes: Ross Rual, Main Competitor, Deadly Dame. Yaldhurst Hotel Stakes; Sooty Hobbs, Electric Fury, Del Pandora. Excelsior Hotel Stakes: Old Bryn, Highsted Lass, Bright Planet. Nev/ Zealand Championship: Sportoka, Sir Kenrick, Steel Fender. Invitation Stakes: General Titan, Trusty Hobbs, Eileen McManus. Parklands Hotel Stakes: Gracie Brown, Ariki Sue, Noble Surrender. < Oxford Tavern Stakes: Katherine Moran, Zanduke, Space Bluebell. i Foresters Tavern Stakes; • Shaun Boy, Wildings Gift, Pioneer Sam. Fields are;— Caledonian Hotel Stakes, 590m. 1 , —Class 4 (7 p.m.): Dazzling Ace, i Second Model. Rara Avis, Nga- 1 ralni. Redwood Lil, Prodigious. Kiltybegs, Master Brydie. Reserves: Khandahla. Smooth Kilty. Lion Tavern Stakes. 590 m. — i Class 4 (7.20 p.m.): FIRST LEG OF TREBLE *011213 Buzz's Babe 000032 Phoenix Extract 003000 Filey Flyer 330023 Space Game 210120 Cracker Starlet 000300 Irish Royalty 210200 Shelly's Here 203100 Call Me Lisa Reserves:— 030030 Tuahiwi Boy 110300 Waranui Russley Hotel Stakes. 590 m—- . 4 and 5 (7.40 p.m.): SECOND LEG OF TREBLE 202322 Hello Mecca ,220102 Ross Rual 1302130 Valjac Star .112101 Slitrig Dancer 321013 Deadly Dame ■211222 Main Competitor ■033022 Ailsa Craig 112231 Falcon Arrow Reserves:— 31211 Keytoe Trudi 000030 Methven's Pride Yaldhurst Hotel Stakes, 840 m. ;—Class 4 (8 p.m.): Electric Fury, 'Superb Shandy. Sooty Hobbs.! Bushel Cain. Stanley Rio. Saucv Dish, Kilmagoura Wave. De! Pan dora. Reserves: Chief Spudface. Mr Grey. Excelsior Hotel Stakes. 590 m—- . 8 (8.20 p.m.): THIRD LEG OF TREBLE 200102 Old Bryn 030020 Roaming Gazelle 100200 Highsted Lass 210000 Corcorans Image 123003 Top Revs 221000 H Trovatore 021122 Latest Craze 212120 Bright Planet Reserves:— 303000 Aqua Craze 000003 Mister Meese ■ Lion Breweries New Zealand Championship. 590m.—First leg of double <8.40 p.m.i: Space Tri-: timph. Smoky Hobbs. Fawn Sleek, Sportoka. Steel Fender, Sir Kenrick. Ratio's Image, Alta Smooth.' Invitation Stakes. 590 m—Sec-; ond leg of double <9 p.m.): Gen-: eral Titan, Poneke Princess, 1 | Trusty Hobbs. Wonder Baron.: Parachute King, Kinkade Lad. Mystic Wave. Eileen McManus. Parklands Hotel Stakes, 590 m.: —Class 8 <9.20 p.m.): Gracie Frown. Swift Princess. Anna’s Retreat. Saccaharine. Master McGrath. Noble Surrender. Noble Wave. Ariki Sue. Reserve: She’s A Sweetie Oxford Tavern Stakes. 590 m—- . 7 (9.40 p.m. .- Dartanvon.i Always Roaming. Kilty Rambler Radara Bell, Proud Velvet, Katherine Moran, Zanduke, Space Bluebell. Foresters Tavern Stakes. 590 m — Class 7 10 p.m.): Roaming Kilty. Wildings Gift. Thistlednme. ! Signor Caruso, Pioneer Sam. Shaun Boy. j

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