Know Keeper Makes Light Work Of Silver Collar

TOUGH – extremely tough is the apt way to describe freakish stayer Know Keeper's momentous victory in Sunday's SENZ Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar.

It was early heart in the mouth material for not only the army of supporters who backed Know Keeper into microscopic $1.20 odds, but also for his conditioner Garry Cleeve.

The Karen Walsh prepared second favourite Thrilling Rogue quickly scampered into the race lead when the field of quality stayers embarked on their demanding 779m Manukau journey.

Pushing up along the rail from the one-trap was the youngster Mr. Farenheit for grass roots trainer Carol Morris.

Know Keeper found himself jammed up in midfield traffic enduring a jostling dual with his kennel and littermate Know Account.

Short-priced favourite Know Keeper was made to work for it but he proved too good in the Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar! pic.twitter.com/hr78S3GLcs

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 12, 2022

It seemed to take an age for Know Keeper to clear traffic and by the time he found clear racing room the lead pair had cleared out.

Know Keeper railed underneath Mr. Farenheit when racing down the back straight the second time, then he ultimately reeled in a very gallant Thrilling Rouge during the run home.

The large Manukau Stadium crowd was treated to 46.14s of pure staying prowess and they rightfully erupted as Know Keeper burst clear, seizing victory in the $80,000 staying test by an ever increasing length and a half.  

 Meanwhile, out on the track Garry ‘Crafty' Cleeve experienced the full range of emotions, which was there for all to see when he was joined by son Anthony and daughter Sydney at the victory podium.

"I've finally knocked the buggar off!" Cleeve uttered, echoing the famous words of the legendary Kiwi mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary when he became the first person to reach the summit of Mt Everest.

Cleeve turned down the opportunity to chase after the unlimited riches on offer across the Tasman with his home bred son of Know Class and Know Jinx. His burning desire to annex the Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar meant, to him, that the money was irreverent.

"Extremely relieved and proud. It's huge for us to finally have ticked that one off the bucket list," stated Cleeve.

"I went through so many emotions during the race. Early on I thought third would be okay, then he really put his head down when challenging for second. I was utterly rapt when he extended during the run home – massive relief flooded through me.

"It was a total team effort back at home, with Gaylene (Turnwald – partner) staying back to look after the home team.

"And also I really appreciate my co-driver and mate Alan Johnson who has spent around the last ten years driving up and down both islands with me.

"I'm also overwhelmed by the huge, fantastic response I got post-race. I have never experienced anything like this," explained the veteran of over 40 years involvement in breeding, rearing owing and training greyhounds.

Know Keeper will again head north to contest a feature Manawatu 660m event on June 24 as the winner of 32 of his 62 races. His unbroken 17 race record in staying events has greatly contributed to the $230,511 in stakes amassed by Know Keeper. 

 And yes, Crafty confirmed if Know Keeper wins the 732m New Zealand leg of the Nationals Distance final at Addington in August, then he will cross the Tasman to contest the Wentworth Park hosted Australian final.

Waterloo Cup

Bang – once the Manukau 527m traps lifted it was the green vest worn by the ultra-smart chaser Talbingo Bale that was first sighted.

It was game, set and match for the Craig Roberts prepared son of David Bale and Dyna Zesty when he charged into the first turn. His Waterloo Cup rivals where left struggling in his slipstream for the balance of the Group 1 event.

Talbingo Bale freewheeled through his task reeling off a stunning 29.88s gallop, which translated into the quickest 527m time ever recorded by a male dog around the Manukau track.

"That was a remarkable time considering the blustery conditions the race was run in. 

"He is jumping superbly at the moment and once he led around the first turn, I wasn't concerned about him being caught – he's a real strong dog," commented Roberts about his fifth Waterloo Cup trained winner.

"I have to say that he's working his way up to possibly being the best greyhound I have trained. He is the most professional chaser I have trained," advised Roberts about the Brendan Wheeler owned winner of $89,752, the result of 20 wins and 7 minor placings from his 38 race day assignments.

Talbingo Bale's next big target will be the August running of the New Zealand 520m Nationals final on his home Addington track, with Roberts confirming he would love to travel to Sydney. He produced Dyna Dave to run third in the Perth hosted 2019 Nationals Sprint final.