Christchurch ends season with record turnover

Press, 12 July 1985, Page 29

Christchurch ends season with record turnover

ByTREVOR WILKES The Christchurch Greyhound Racing Club ended the season on a pleasing note with a record $271,053 combined on and off-course turnover at last Monday’s T.A.B. meeting at Queen Elizabeth II Park.

This figure no doubt would have been even greater had there not been a T.A.B. computer malfunction in Wellington, which occurred mid-way through the day. This caused a crucial delay in treble and trifecta dividends which could have been collected and perhaps reinvested. Considering this, the club must have been more than happy with the end result. The season had many highlights including Matchless Mari’s New Zealand Cup success in a track record time of 49.89 s (for 805 m). A bitch which had come from Australia with a big reputation, Matchelss Mari was sent out a hot favourite to win the prestigious event, but was clearly headed halfway down the straight by last year’s winner, Solid Top.

Matchless Mari, however, displayed all her staying powers and grabbed Solid Top right on the line for a

nose decision. Clearly there was no question as to which greyhound proved to be the crowd pleaser during the season. Bark man Bark (Man ‘o’ War-Ann’s Away) prepared by the husband and wife partnership of Ray and Yvonne Anderson, of Addington, has the impeccable record of nine wins from his last 10 starts at Christchurch, and ran a close second in Flying Scotsman’s Harding Cup in the other.

All these wins were recorded over the sprint distance (330 m and he is the present track record holder there in 19.345.

His ability to jump cleanly from the boxes has been the key to most of his wins, but the ease of his wins have been quite incredible.

A freak accident in the catching pen after one of his wins prevented him going north to take on the “guns” in the Inter-Island Invitation Stakes at Claudelands in April. Expected to be one of the favourites in that race, Bark man Bark was scratched from the field with a shoulder injury. However, he has been in devastating form since returning from that injury,

and has suddenly become a favourite among the crowds. Bark man Bark suprisingly has not won a feature race this season, but in spite of this must surely go close to winning the Canterbury Greyhound of the Year title.

Gallant Man’s New Zealand championship win is also worthy of mention. After some good lead-up form, Gallant Man was sent out a pronounced favourite and surged clear to beat Alvarez and Noble Reprieve in a swift 33.77 s (for 560 m). Galactic Gain proved to be the best performed bitch over the season. Her smart win in the Ladies Bracelet in October was followed by some top performances on both sides of Cook Strait, and her win in a heat of the South Island championships at odds of more than 60 to one was certainly stunning. She proved that it was no fluke a fortnight later, when leading throughout to win the final in the fine time of 34.18 s (for 560 m). The up and coming star over the season was the brilliant youngster Merely Magic. After winning the “big” maiden final in November, Merely Magic has not looked back and has steadily made his way into

the top grade. His first real test came in the first heat of the South Island championships, and he showed his class with a runaway win over the well-performed, Crafty Kim. He did not have any luck whatsoever in the final of that race, but made amends with a stylish win in last Monday’s Garden City Classic after overcoming the outside draw.

Ray Adcock (12 wins) once again topped the trainers list, while Gael Palmer and Ray Anderson were tied in second place with nine wins each.

Silent Wonder (32 wins), was the leading stud dog while This Mere Lad was rapidly closing the gap with 26 wins. ‘ Kim’s Mint and Silent Mirage were third equal (16 wins).

It was much closer on the dams side, however, with Spanish Stroll snatching a last stride win, thanks to a Prolenski success last Monday. She ended up with a total of 12 wins.

Cracker Starlet (11 wins) was second while Ann’s Away (nine wins) finished in third place. Mighty Starlet, Inasfree and Lisa Havoc also finished prominently with a total of seven wins each.