NZ Champ Off To Sydney For Distance Championship

IMMENSE relief flowed through Garry Cleeve's veins when his star stayer Know Keeper snatched his heart-stopping last stride victory in Thursday's GRNZ NZ National Distance final.

The star stayer required every centimeter of the Addington 732m trip to book his place in the field for the Australian National Distance Final at Wentworth Park (720m) on August 27.

Know Keeper was giving away ten-lengths to the pace-making Craig Roberts trained Raja Bale with a lap of the track to run.

Going down the back straight the last time the premier stayer was still six-lengths astern. The big bounds then came and slowly but surely the Cleeve bred son of Know Class and Know Jinx reduced the margin.

ABSOLUTE FREAK!!!

Your 2022 GRNZ NZ NATIONALS DISTANCE winner KNOW KEEPER needed all of the 732m to pick up RAJA BALE on the line to book a spot to the Australian National Distance Championship Final on August 27 at Wentworth Park for $75,000 AUD@Thedogs_com_au pic.twitter.com/QjzfKKWjOF

— TAB Racing (@TAB_Racing) August 11, 2022

And after 43.58 of hard out chasing it was a pencil-line margin that favoured Know Keeper over a very gallant Raja Bale.

"The emotions flowed when I saw his 6 number going up in the frame. I didn't think he could get up from where he was in the running – he certainly knows where the line is. It was a very nervous watch!

"Extremely proud of Kevin (kennel-name)," reflected Cleeve, who added, "The support we received after the race was absolutely amazing. It's fantastic to race a dog as good as him. I'm very proud for us being able to represent New Zealand."

Cleeve is also rapt with the Sydney trap-two draw that his winner of $263,929 in stakes has been allocated. "The two is ideal for him."

Know Keeper has compiled an outstanding staying record, winning 20 of his 22 distance assignments with five of them at Group race level and he will be a worthy contender for New Zealand. 

The forthcoming trans-Tasman visit is thoroughly deserved, especially considering Know Keeper won last season's GRNZ NZ National Sprint final, but obviously wasn't able to travel owing to the Covid-19 cancellation of the event.

The GRNZ NZ National Sprint final was billed as a match race between two classy performers from the recently completed Kiwi 2021/22 season. 

Thursday's Addington 520m final delivered on that expectation.

KNOW KEEPER in the NZ stayers at Addington was great viewing – brilliant race call also!!

New Zealand now have their representatives!

Sprint: OPAWA SUPERSTAR
Dist: KNOW KEEPER#Nationals2022 #Greyhounds@Thedogs_com_au

— Troy Iwanyk (@TroyIwanyk) August 11, 2022

Despite jumping midfield, Opawa Superstar, who is a dual Group 1 winner and is prepared by Dave and Jean Fahey, secured a glorious rails passage around the first turn. 

The Craig Roberts mentored Talbingo Bale placed himself onto the early pace, however he was parked out in the middle of the track when rounding the first turn.

It was at that point when the result was decided as Opawa Superstar sneaked clear going down the back straight. Talbingo Bale charged at him late, however Opawa Superstar held a half-length margin for his 30.39 chase. 

"Yes, it's great for him to win this. To represent New Zealand is a career highlight for us – we consider it a privilege," expressed Dave Fahey.  

He was noncommittal when asked about Opawa Superstar drawing trap-seven in Sydney. "At this stage I haven't got a clue on what the other dogs will do.

"What I can say is that he's not scared to push up and he'll take any gap that is offered to him."

The Opawa Racing team, who have enjoyed a long and fruitful association with the Fahey's, bred the son of Fernando Bale and Opawa Tab.

Opawa Racing, who is headed by Robin Wales, race the stakes winner of $185,277 in partnership with Allan Davidson.