Dyna Dave Eyes Elusive Group 1 Title

ONE of New Zealand's greatest greyhound mysteries still remains unresolved.

The talented Dyna Dave has won 37 races, touching on $250,000 in stakes, yet a Group 1 title still eludes him.

On Friday evening at the Hatrick Raceway, the Craig Roberts prepared class act will have his eighth attempt at winning a title at the elite level.

He has four Group 1 second placings to his credit, plus his outstanding third in last year's Aussie Nationals Sprint final in Perth.  

To do so the Brendan Wheeler-owned son of Dyna Villa and Julie Bale must deliver a mistake free race in the $30,000 Kernow Construction Classic from a tricky box five draw.

His 30.37 heat time for the 520 metres was easily the slowest from last Friday's four heats, but in saying that Dave was nothing short of sensational in the manner that he delivered it.

He was clearly the last greyhound going into the first turn. From there he used his track sense to place himself into a qualifying position on the home turn.

He was hemmed up in traffic, then a quick sidestep to the right, and after a slight stumble he spied clear racing air. He didn't require a second invitation, powering through to claim his heat win.

"Yes, on sheer raw ability Dave can win it," Roberts said.

"It all comes down to what type of run he receives from his lousy draw. He was also kneecapped on the home turn, stumbling for a stride last week.

"Hatrick certainly isn't his favourite track, so I'm going back up there without any expectations. In saying that Dave is ready for another big one (race) on Friday."

Spring Falcon, quoted the $2.80 favourite, is a contender from the powerful Dave and Jean Fahey kennels who shares Anzac ownership. He was sighted doing his best work at the business end of his heat when he finished solidly for a 4 ¾ length heat second to Bigtime Bruno. 

Strength at the business end of his races is this fella's biggest asset and again it's likely to be where he is positioned when entering the back straight that will define his finishing position. He fairly flew home late when he landed his December Spion Rose Cup Group 1 third placing.

"It's a case of where he settles and then what type of run he gets around the first turn. His draw could have been worse as the closer to the rail he draws the better suited he is. He races alright up there and he's come through his heat in good shape," advised Dave Fahey.

Speaking about powerful kennels – just take a look at Lisa Cole who is currently charging towards another NZ trainers' premiership title after having completed Wednesday's Hatrick meeting with an outstanding 463 winners listed beside her name. She mentored the other three heat winners.

It was Bigtime Bruno who clocked the quickest of the heat times via his solid 30.11 gallop after he pushed up onto the early pace when rounding the first turn. He then held strongly to claim his heat victory. He has been allocated trap four to hop away from here.

"He is a strong dog and once he got into clear air and was left alone rounding the first turn it was always going to be hard for the others to run him down. It will depend on where he is going into the first turn on Friday – if he's anywhere near them early, then yes he can win it," advised Brendon Cole.

Big Time Ocean secures the draw advantage here thanks to her one trap allocation. She raced on the pace when claiming her 30.26s heat win and this pintsized 24.3kg chaser must adopt similar racing tactics here. She has a big heart as was seen when she finished a gallant runner up in last month's Spion Rose Cup also at Group 1 level. 

"Ocean needs to lead them out and put a break on them and she's a chance if she does so. She's only a wee little girl who is still getting stronger. She can mix it up at this level as we saw in the Spion Rose final. She is spot on for the final," confirmed Cole.

Bigtime Rod has also previously tasted racing at Group 1 level, being the runner up in last season's New Zealand Futurity at this venue. He stalked the pace making Hey Fernando around the final turn, then finished strongly along the rail to nail his 30.14s heat win. He has drawn to replicate that effort from his handy two trap draw here.

"Rod's draw is perfect for him as it gives him some options. He can take an early sit behind Ocean and then possibly come off her back or he can jump straight onto the pace and kick away strongly. Either way he is a leading chance in the final," suggested Cole.

The Cole kennel representation is completed by Bigtime Tank who is required to exit from the eight trap. This bloke continues to dig in deeply in his 520m assignments and that factor was evident in the solid manner when he finished stoutly for his two length heat second behind Big Time Ocean. 

"Tank always gives it everything he owns and then some. He isn't a brilliant dog – more tradesman like. His draw has made it a lot tougher for him," said Cole.

Hey Fernando is returning to contest another Group 1 final for his conditioners Gary and Sandra Fredrickson after their charge also contested the Spion Rose Cup.

He set up the pace in his heat and he only yielded during the run home when he was caught by a neck margin by Bigtime Rod. He must utilize those same pace making tactics from his seven trap draw here.

"We're really happy with his draw as I believe it gives him options providing he jumps onto the pace. We would like to see him get a good sit going into the first turn and if others jam up inside him, then yes, he can slip clear. He is a competitive race dog and we couldn't be happier with him," confirmed Gary Fredrickson.  

Completing the drawn field is the Angela Turnwald prepared Silent Dismissal who totally belied his lack of racing experience when he was sighted finishing boldly to claim his 2.25 length heat second to Dyna Dave. He was having just his seventh race day outing after having won his debut 525m race (30.38s) at The Meadows prior to crossing the Tasman.

Turnwald mentored the now retired Nature's Gent to victory in last season's Hatrick Classic.

"We were very happy with his heat effort and Angela says he's come through that in great shape. He's racing for luck from that trap (six), especially as he doesn't have the race experience others have – he has to work it out for himself. There aren't many greyhounds who line up in a Group 1 race in just their eighth race start," suggested the trainers' partner Paul Freeman.