Bronski Beat Leads Group 2 Memorial Charge

NANCY Cobain's name will be forever firmly etched in New Zealand greyhound racing history.

Nancy, along with Ray Adcock, were the pioneers for the modern day Kiwi greyhound trainers.

Cobain was a renowned conditioner of the staying canine athletes. The GRNZ Hall of Fame member achieved the remarkable feat of mentoring five-winners of the prestigious Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar (779m) – an act that is never likely to be matched.

Nancy Cobain is remembered on Monday afternoon when the annual race held in her memory is contested.

The $15,000 Nancy Cobain Memorial (race 5) has attracted a strong field of genuine stayers which will match their paws over the Manawatu Raceway 660m trip.

The Lisa Cole-prepared current 660m track record (37.89s) holder Bronski Beat is seeking to add this group 2 event to his Sandown Cup group 1 title.

He can be forgiven for his third last week as Brendon Cole explains.

"He knuckled over at the start and he had to jump through the hoops after that – he will be a huge chance if he leads out, which he can do," Cole said.

Kennelmate Speed Machine will be at longer odds, however he looms as a good chance judging by his 2.25 length 660m second to Bronski Beat two races ago.

"He's a one-pacer that will keep on whacking away. He is likely to head down to the rail. Both of our dogs are all set for action on Monday."

Karen Walsh trained stayers always demand respect and she has accepted with a couple of sound looking prospects from her northern based kennels.

Thrilling Nina finished powerfully to annex last week's 660m event, rattling home to clock 38.29s.

She is fashioning a tidy record over the longer journeys and a similar power-packed finish can be expected again.

Thrilling Amelia also finished stoutly when winding up 2.5 lengths behind her kennel and littermate last week and she has the added luxury of racing from the one-trap.

Arch Lawrence is a renowned conditioner of stayers and he is heading south with two of his home bred chasers.

Bailey's Nice has displayed potential in a limited number of races since he stepped up to the longer distances.

"I'm pleased with the bold way that Bailey's Nice has handled the step up in race distance," Lawrence said.

"He's very much a full on boy who never wants to stop. He's my leading chance."

Kennelmate Little Teegs also contested those northern 747m races, however she has drawn upside down for her racing style, with the noted railer being required to exit from the eight-trap.  

"She isn't comfortable when she's held out wide. Both of them worked up really good on Thursday and are set to travel south," advised Lawrence.

 The field is completed by stayers from the locally based Angela Turnwald kennels. Emgrand Rose peaked during the run home during last Monday's 660m event. He does bring a proven 660m record into this contest.

Kennelmate Hot Platter is resuming from a spell and she faces a stiff task against more race hardened opponents despite winning her last start early December 660m assignment here in 38.72s.