NZ Nationals Winners Rueing Missed Aussie Bid

"VERY happy – it's a damn shame we're not going over to Aussie," lamented winning NZ Nationals Sprint trainer Gary Cleeve.

Know Keeper delivered the complete all-round race to powerfully win the $25,000 Addington hosted feature on Thursday.

Cleeve along with his partner Gaylene Turnwald and daughter Sydney are renowned breeders, rearers and trainers of their own racing stock, having successfully done so for many years.

Know Keeper is one of many high-class performers they have guided to numerous big-race successes. He isn't the quickest into stride however he characteristically displays great track sense while unwinding powerfully at the business end. 

"When he got handy going into the home turn, I thought he would be too strong – he shanghaied them in the run home," recapped Cleeve about his charge carrying the red vest to his 30.33, 2 ½  length victory. 

Know Keeper is by Know Class out of Know Jinx, both of whom Cleeve successfully raced. Know Class mixed it up with the leading Aussie stayers during his 2014 Australian campaign, which included his bold second placing behind the star stayer Xylia Allen in the Group 1 Gold Cup over 710m at Albion Park.

Hence Cleeve's disappointment in not being able to cross the Tasman with Know Keeper. 

"Sure – it's unknown how he would have fared over there, and we would have eventually stepped him up in distance. Hopefully we'll get the opportunity to go over if things (Covid) ever settles down," added Cleeve.

And that means Cleeve will target Know Keeper, now the winner of ten of his 33 races, towards next month's Group 1 Wanganui Cup (520m).

NZ National Distance

The New Zealand section of Nationals finals night sure was a triumph for Kiwi breeding with both finals going to locally bred greyhounds. 

Claws In Leo stamped himself as a stayer for the future when he produced his eye-catching second in the recent Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar over the demanding 779m journey.

The Matt Roberts mentored stayer confirmed that potential when he outstayed his rivals to stylishly annex the $25,000 NZ Nationals Distance final over 732m by a three-length margin, clocking 44.15s.

Claws In Leo is raced by Roberts' father-in-law Pete Clausen who bred the son of My Boy Fabio and Corinth Bale. 

"Claws In Leo has turned into a dour stayer which is relishing racing over the longer trips. I was happy to see him driving away at the finish. 

"I'm not sure how he would have gone over there (The Meadows), but it sure would have been a great experience for the dog and us.

"Pete works a few days a week with us, and it is great to see him having success with a litter he bred.

"Afterwards I said to Pete, ‘that's your birthday present'," chuckled Roberts, whose partner Sara was recently appointed as the new GRNZ emerging director, a new youth role on the GRNZ board. 

Claws In Leo is also likely to head up to Hatrick next month for his next big assignment, being the Group 2 Wanganui Stayers (755m).