Sir Duggie Set For Group 2 Dash For Cash

SHORT course racing is all about power sprinting and that's exactly what Friday's $16,000 Wanganui Toyota Dash For Cash field comprises off.

Five competitive 305m heats now sees a slippery field of speed merchants lining up in the annual Group 2 dash (race 9) at the Hatrick Raceway.

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Leading conditioner Lisa Cole prepares the resilient sprinter Sir Duggie. He just keeps on bouncing back as we saw last week when he put in a 6.70s burner of a first sectional which saw him completing his dash in the heat best 17.36s 305m time.

He must use that same blinding early pace when he hops away from the eight trap, chasing after his 58th career win.

"Duggie keeps on giving us everything he has – he has a marvelous temperament. Yes, his draw has made it harder for him in the final, but in saying that if he makes a similar quick start, then the others will have to catch him. He's come through his heat in great shape," advised Brendon Cole.

There are four other sprinters contesting this sprint for the Cole team. Bigtime Shine has drawn nicely in trap two and she is more than capable of hopping straight onto the pace after she stylishly closed to within a length of Sir Duggie in her heat.

"She could have been anything if she hadn't torn a gracilis muscle. She is still a smart, competitive sprinter and her draw brings her right into contention. She pulled up great from her heat," added Cole.

Trojan Hoarse put in some potent strides in his heat which led to his strong pace making 17.39s heat win. He owns strength and that asset can certainly come into play if this sprint turns into a torrid affair.

The Hoarse's litter brother Cheese And Chalk can and he must ping away from his six trap draw. He stepped away quickly in his heat to set the initial pace and it was only during the run home when he yielded by a two length margin to the inform sprinter Buddy Boom.

"Trojan Hoarse has thrived since we dropped him back to sprinting. The concern we have for him in the final is that he's likely to jam up across the face of those drawn inside him. Cheese And Chalk can contest the pace and he can get some of it (stake money) if he does so," said Cole.

Bigtime Ziggy leap clear from her trap eight draw in her heat and using that heathy tactic saw her leading throughout for her tidy 17.65s heat win. She moves in one spot for this decider.

"She was the surprise qualifier for us. Her first split (6.89s) is sharp enough to win most open class 305m sprints and if she pops out like that again can see her making things rather interesting in the final," suggested Cole.

The ultra-consistent sprinter Buddy Boom dug in really deep when he extended strongly during the run home to claim his 17.46s heat win for his northern conditioners Jared Udy and Denise Cottam.

Can he claim his second Group race sprint title from the four trap within a month after his stunning Galaxy Sprint victory? Off course he can.

"Buddy continues to do everything that we ask from him and that's all we can expect. He puts so much into his races, that he tends to pull up with some minor niggles. He doesn't require much work between his races and he'll strip a fit and ready dog on Friday."

The biggest concern that Buddy's trainers has going into the final is the presence of his kennel-mate Kiwi Boy drawn inside him.

This proven short course sprinter tends to race a tad wide, therefore there's potentially some early brushing looming between the kennelmates. Kiwi Boy dug in really deep when he claimed his 17.86s heat win.

"Kiwi Boy traveled shocking going down there last week when he had a stomach bug. Winning his heat just shows what a determined greyhound he is," advised Udy.

Flora Dora was really solid when she delivered her track debut 2.75 length heat second to Trojan Hoarse for her master conditioner Ray Adcock. She finished a sound third behind Buddy Boom in the Galaxy Sprint final, which she delivered from the ace trap. She will be again wearing the red racing vest in this decider.

"She got a bit of luck in her heat. I feel this time she will jump better, which she has to do as she's only small (25kg) and she tends to get sideswiped if she gets caught up with others," confirmed Adcock.

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The race into the all important first turn is likely to play a big part in deciding the outcome of Friday's $46,000 Accell Therapy Spion Rose Cup Final.

There are many possible scenarios during that early rush for positions, especially when taking into consideration the box draw for the field of eight outstanding greyhounds who will contest this Group 1 520m event.

There's an even split of five New Zealand and Australian bred greyhounds listed in the overall field.

Four heats held last Friday decided the final field which headlines a fantastic 12 race card with all races being choc-full of quality greyhounds.

A guest Trackside TV presenter will be Jason Lincoln with the Sky Racing Catching Pen co-host crossing the Tasman after presenting last Friday's massive TAB Melbourne Cup meeting trackside at Sandown Park.

Karen Walsh produced two heat winners.

Thrilling Talk delivered the quickest 30.07s heat time. He is a noted railer, therefore drawing trap seven isn't where last season's NZ Futurity winner wants to be. He still must be respected.

"Yes, his draw worries me. He's capable of winning it, but the first turn will decide his chances. Hopefully it doesn't get messy when racing into the first turn. In saying that it's nice to see Talk back on track and he does race good down there. I'm happy with him going into the final," confirmed Walsh.

Thrilling Vice is a consistent on the pace chaser as seen by his easy pace making 30.19s heat win. He owns stake claims here from his handy trap two draw.

"Vice is a good consistent performer who gives it 110% every time he races. I'm quite happy with his draw and he's all-ready to go on Friday," said Walsh.

The big question many are asking is … can Dyna Dave breakthrough for his deserved and overdue Group 1 victory'?

He produced his trademark racing style when again, after a moderate start, he charged home late for his two length second behind Thrilling Talk. He is required to exit from trap five here.

"It's going to be the first turn that will decide his fate. Hatrick isn't his best track and he has a crap draw. Look, if he's anywhere near the pace when turning for home, then yes, he can out finish the others. He's spot on for the final," confirmed trainer Craig Roberts about his charge who has now banked $240,830.

Hey Fernando won his heat in 30.27s from this trap and he has drawn to make his presence felt again in this decider from the same trap here.

He has been quietly brought along by his Foxton trainers Gary and Sandra Fredrickson and they rightfully feel that their charge is a genuine prospect here.

"Fernando is in a real purple patch of form. I reckon his time was better than his 30.27s when lined up against the other heat times as they watered the track after his heat, which I'm sure quickened it (track) up.

"Yes, I rate him good enough to tear this race off – his draw provides him with sound looking claims," said Gary Fredrickson.

Dave and Jean Fahey also provide two finalists and both must be respected especially when taking into account their brilliant Group 1 training record. The recent 520m races that Spring Falcon has produced here has been absolutely massive. His four length heat second to Thrilling Vice was huge when, after settling in the rear group, he charged home late. He will be wearing the white racing vest on Friday.

Kennelmate Go Vegas gamely chased after Hey Fernando for his length heat second. He can and he must contest the early pace when he hops away from the four trap here.

"I can't see Spring Falcon jumping with them therefore he's racing for some early luck, especially as it's a front runners track. He has the overall ability to feature here and yes, if he's handy to the pace turning for home, then he grab some of it.

"Go Vegas is a handy dog, who can place himself handy to the pace, which is what he must do. Both of them pulled up okay from their heats," Dave Fahey said.

Last year's winning Spion Rose Cup winning trainer Angela Turnwald kennels will be represented by Emgrand Park. He stalked the pace making Big Time Ocean in his heat, out finishing her by a 2.5 length margin, clocking 30.21s.

He will load away into trap six here.

"He's going to have to make his own luck from his draw. He's strong enough, but what happens when rounds the first turn will dictate his racing line. Angela eased back on him after his Addington races (two 645m wins), so there should be some improvement in him for the final," suggested partner Paul Freeman.
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Completing the drawn field is the Lisa Cole prepared Big Time Ocean. Geez, this girl is gutsy considering she's a young 23.5 kg midget. She owns volumes of early pace and she has no alternative but to take a flyer when jumping from trap eight. She set up the pace in her heat, then she was cut back by a 2.5 length margin by Emgrand Park.

"She's an exceptionally quick dog who is still learning about the racing game. Being a wee little thing says she must clear them early. She can give a fair amount of cheek as she showed in her heat. She's all set to go on Friday," said Brendon Cole.