Greyhounds

Press, 14 July 1982, Page 37

Greyhounds

Eventful season for dogs

By

ALEX McMILLAN

A run of hew track records, the emergence of a possible future champion in Roaming Ron. and a. New Zealand Cup “triella” for the country’s top trainer, Nancy Cobain, were but a few of the highlights during the 1981-82 totalisator season held by the Christchurch Greyhound Racing Club. A newly restructured northern bend at the Queen Elizabeth 11. Park circuit offered vastly improved footing this season and the club's decision to have the area leading up to and including the home turn improved similarly in the off season will undoubtedly make, the track the finest in the country.

Future track improvements will be advantageous to both owners and the public. The number of injuries inflicted.on runners will be further reduced, while race interference will also be minimised, something which will surely assist the popularity of greyhound racing as a betting medium.

The advent of electronic timing has certainly complemented the upgraded area of the track, with several track records tumbling during the season.

The long standing 560 m record of 34.005, set . by Tredeka Lass, was finally lowered in April by Wenro'n Girl, which recorded 33.98 s when downing the versatile She's A Friendly. A mere hour later the promising Ashburton bitch. Petite Dancer, gained one of her brilliant front-running successes, recording a staggering 33.975. Petite Dancer's record remained intact for about a month until it was smashed dramatically by one of Canterbury’s most promising longtails. Roaming Ron. A brindle dog by Winronin (the top sire at the track during the season) out of Elie Rosita. Roaming Ron com-’ pletely obliterated the existing record when he posted an incredible 33.845, a remarkable feat when one realises that at the time he was assessed at class two and had had to overcome early buffeting that night. The successes of Roaming

Ron, which included a scintillating Mayor’s Cup victory, acted as. compensation for his Yaldhurst trainer. Bill Werner, whose highly rated longtail, Recap, had the misfortune to break a leg this season.

It seemed almost certain that Roaming Ron’s record would stand for the remain-, der of the season, but Club’s Colours, a brilliant dog from Methven which had been campaigned extensively in the North Island, had other ideas. The powerful black; gave Christchurch enthusiasts a taste of his brilliance when he annihilated a useful field on June 4. recording.an almost unbelievable 33.77 s as he scorched to an eight-) length victory over the South Island championship winner, Macluke. .

Club’s Colours (Kim's Mint-Petite Koala) is out of the litter that produced Petite Dancer, Ghanzi Girl (both also successful that night) and King Koala, which has performed with distinction across the Tasman. The most remarkable training achievement of the season was without a doubt the complete domination of the New Zealand Cup (805 m by runners from the Manaia kennels of the country's top trainer, Nancy Cobain. Three runners were sent south by Cobain for the big event and they were a class above their rivals, with Karamu Lass leading home Mrs Simpson and the New Zealand “Greyhound of the Year,” Karamu King. As has been the case in the past, the hurdlers provided the most excitement, with some enthralling contests being run. The Auckland-owned Lively Kiwi was sent south to enter the kennels of a Belfast trainer, Stewart Taylor, and tinder his care was responsible for -the setting of a fresh hurdles record (36.005). The $lOOO 3ZB Hurdles was the major contest for the jumpers and developed. into an exciting four-way encounter, with Lively. Kiwi and No Wadde--rin dead-heating for first just ahead of Humbug Wonder and the North Island sensation. Tiz Too. Ironically, Lively Kiwi and No Wadderin were involved in a spectacular spill at the final meeting of the season earlier this month when they were assured of occupying the first two places. A second New Zealand championship fin ' for Tredeka Lass, a remarkable run of success by runners sired by the now defunct Winronin, and a memorable Canterbury Futurity Stakes victory by Humbug Girl were other highlights from a busy and very eventful season, one which signalled the long-awaited introduction of T.A.B. betting into the. sport: ; Up-and-coming performers which seem certain to pay their way. next season include Rally and Rool, Patreka Lass, Come Alive and Arkarita. .