Dyna Dave Chases Elusive Group 1 Success

It is beyond comprehension how the classy Dyna Dave hasn't helped himself to a Group 1 title yet.

The winner of $211,527 in stakes has been there and done that in terms of other feature races, which includes at one stage holding the Addington 520m track record.

He produced a super effort in Perth when he finished third in the Australian National Sprint final.

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Dyna Dave receives a sound opportunity of being able to rectify that glaring anomaly in this evening's running of New Zealand's richest greyhound race, the $125,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup (race 9).

It is fair to say that this Craig Roberts prepared 32 kilo ball of muscle has been his own worst enemy at times, while on other occasions he has been the victim of lousy racing luck.

Can Dyna Dave win the NZ Cup? Off course he can. He has drawn handily enough in trap three from where he is perhaps best to miss the hop a tad and slot down onto his favoured rails racing possie.

"Geez, he certainly deserves a Group 1 race," said his trainer Craig Roberts.

"He's jumping okay but he lacks a length of pace during the early rush and that's what has been costing him. In saying that I think he has more up his sleeve, and he owns the strongest finish in the field, so yes if he gets around the first turn okay, I expect him to be right in it."

Northern trainer Steve Clark was really happy with the effort that his finalist from last year's NZ Cup Pinny Mack produced when winning his semi-final in 30.17.

The Group 1 winner pinged away from trap six to deliver that win and his trainer will place him into the same trap in the final.

"Rapt – totally rapt with the way he handled his heat and semi races down there," Clark said.

"He has come through those races scarily well and I know there's further improvement in him after his recent set back (wasp sting). It's great to see his mid-race sectional back again and I reckon he's back to the Pinny that he was twelve months ago."

GRNZ Greyhound Hall of Fame Trainer Ray Adcock has qualified two finalists.

Start The Show has drawn nicely in trap two after his bold pace making 30.25s semi win. His early pace is the key to his clams here and if leads around the first turn, then this bloke can make things very interesting for a long way here.

"Yes, he's a chance if the white dog (Double Speed) doesn't touch him early. If he gets an early break on them, then the others will have to catch him. He has worked nicely since his semi," confirmed the 85-year-old conditioner.

Start The Show's kennelmate Double Speed also won a semi (30.29s) and he draws the ace trap. He has previously been a group race finalist and he also has the ability to contest the early pace, although he does tend to move out a tad wider.

"He's just a runners' chance as he has never run time. He has come through his heat alright. Look I'll be happy with some crumbs from either my runners," advised Adcock.

Nature's Gent is a canine marvel for his trainer Angela Turnwald being just two months shy of his fifth birthday. He's having his third lick at a NZ Cup, having won the 2017 edition. The winner of $217,732 showed he's on target to produce a competitive effort after he delivered the quickest of the four 520m semi times via his 30.13s win.

He must contend with the tricky five trap draw.

"I feel his semi-final race was his grand final but hey in saying that he's in the final. He won't race any different from what he has been, and his draw is what it is – he's smart enough to work it out for himself," said Paul Freeman.

"It took him a couple of days to get over his semi. As long as he comes through the final okay, then we'll be happy."