Fahey Holds Group 2 Galway Cup Aces

The world's southernmost located greyhound track Ascot Park hosts two group 2 races on Monday as a leading kennel resumes racing after being shut down with kennel cough.

Perineal group race winning trainers Dave and Jean Fahey dominate the $15,000 The Galway Cup (race 10) over the demanding 732m distance, accepting with four stayers.

A change in Greyhound Racing NZ kennel cough policy allows greyhounds from kennel cough affected kennels to resume racing ten days following the kennels' first infection if those greyhounds haven't displayed any kennel cough symptoms.   

"We had a light infection, with the bulk of our dogs not picking up the cough," advised Dave Fahey.

Student Loan was super when winning the group 1 New Zealand Stayers Cup at Addington over 732m last month.

He chased home kennelmate and race rival Von Strass over the Addington 645m trip in his last outing.

"His draw (two) is where he wants to be and the track is likely to suit his racing style," said Fahey.  

Von Strass treks south after a pair commanding Addington 645m wins. She won her only previous race (645m) on this big, sweeping one-turn track.

"She's at her best when she leads out. Hopefully she can do that from her draw (five)," suggested Fahey.

Mr. Blackjack isn't the quickest into stride, however he does own a punishing finish. He placed twice on this circuit as a maiden chaser over 457m.

"He is likely to settle on the rail from his draw (three) from where I expect him to finish solidly," indicated Fahey. 

Gem is a proven stayer however she has been racing a tad off the pace lately, plus she displays a railing preference 

"She trialled a couple of weeks ago. Her draw (seven) isn't the best for her," Fahey said, who added, "All four of our stayers are all good to go." 

Canterbury trainer Robin Wales is very accustomed to owing group race winners. On Monday he receives the opportunity of training his first black type winner.

Wales is the manager of the Opawa Racing team who over many years has enjoyed considerable group race success with greyhounds prepared for them by Dave and Jean Fahey. The majority of those greyhounds carried the Opawa naming prefix.

He mentored the Opawa Racing owned Opawa Jaws (pictured) to win his heat for the group 2 $15,000 Far South Challenge (race 9). 

Opawa Jaws controlled the pace throughout to claim his 457m heat assignment in 26.33s.

He is the only heat winner who is returning to the tri-code track for the decider and will be sighted in the blue racing vest.

Craig Roberts prepared the other two heat winners, Zipping Sheldon and Oster Bale, however both were withdrawn owing to the Roberts kennel being impacted by kennel cough.

Kennelmate Opawa Vinny secures the draw advantage via the one-trap which his record suggests will suit him. He finished solidly for his 1.25 length heat second behind Oster Bale. 

Pawnote: New Zealand greyhound racing will return to more normality this week following a change to Greyhound Racing NZ's kennel cough policy. 

Greyhounds from kennel cough affected kennels can resume racing ten days following the kennels first infection if those greyhounds haven't displayed any kennel cough symptoms.

Any greyhound who is presented with or is scratched owing to kennel cough will receive a 21-day racing stand down. 

The inter-region racing restriction has now been lifted and greyhounds can again be freely nominated between the three NZ racing regions.

* Pic supplied courtesy by Dave Robbie