Claws In Zorro secures Invercargill Cup
Claws In Zorro got a deserved feature win in the Invercargill Cup. Photo credit: Dave Robbie.
No one can deny the strong victory that Claws In Zorro secured in Wednesday’s running of the $10,000 Invercargill Cup over 457m.
With just one exception, his conditioner Matt Roberts has campaigned his charge throughout the North Island, chasing after Group 1 and feature races since his November New Zealand Cup fifth placing on his home Addington track.
It was ironic that Claws In Zorro returned to the world’s southern-most located greyhound track Ascot Park to finally land his thoroughly deserved feature race win.
On Wednesday, it was race-on, as the favoured pair of classy greyhounds Claws In Zorro and the Dave and Jean Fahey-prepared Opawa Hugo sprinted into the big, sweeping Ascot Park turn locked together, while building a handy margin over their rivals.
The two predominantly white chasers matched paws while rounding the bend; however, Claws In Zorro maximised his inside rails racing passage to lead his rival in for the run home.
Claws In Zorro, who is raced by Pete Clausen, built on that lead by bringing his gallop home in 6.68, reaching the judge holding a three-quarter length margin over Opawa Hugo, clocking 25.70.
Meanwhile, back in the field, it was the Jonathan McInerney-trained Alpha Riley who led the chasing pack in for the run home. Stalking him was the other Fahey contender Opawa Kyle, and he dug in deeply to snatch the third placing over a gallant Alpha Riley by just a half-head margin.
“He went bloody good! I’m absolutely rapt for Claws In Zorro and Pete – they deserved to win a feature race after racing against the best greyhounds up north.
“He still had to do things right and the difference this week was him beginning better. Then it was key for him being underneath Opawa Hugo on the turn, which helped save a couple of lengths. Hugo closed late on him, but my fella had done the required work,” explained Roberts.
Claws In Zorro, who is a member of the handy Fernando Bale and Quistis Bale litter, has now raced on 33 occasions, winning 14 of those. He has finished second in 10 races (no thirds), accumulating $78,290 in stake earnings.
“It is reward for Pete who has owned around 14-16 greyhounds. It’s time he enjoyed a bit of luck,” added Roberts.
Potentially, it could be an exciting pathway going forward for Claws In Zorro as his trainer suggests.
“Providing he pulls up okay from this race, he’s more than likely to race in the Trevor Wilkes Memorial.
“He will then finish his Restricted Age season here, then we might consider sending him over to race in Australia. It’s a thought that is in the back of our minds, and at this stage, we will play it by ear.”
Earlier during the meeting, it was a Roberts family affair when the stayers were loaded away into the 630m traps.
Father Craig had accepted with two stayers, while son Dan had two runners and son Matt had three contenders, meaning the family had the entire seven-dog C2D field to themselves.
Ultimately, it was Matt who emerged with the family bragging rights, as he produced Nighthawk Jet to deliver a strong finish to stylishly win the staying contest.
Matt had officially taken over the training duties for Nighthawk Jet the day before the race. His previous trainer and current owner Tayla Duley is currently enjoying a girls’ trip to the USA, including a stopover in Las Vegas.
“Tayla is our kennel foreperson and she uses three of our kennels to train her own greyhounds. I understand the girls are having a blast up there,” advised Matt.
By Peter Fenemor
