On Thursday night at Addington Raceway, some of the fastest restricted age greyhounds from around the country will take their places in the Group 1 2022 Suck It Up Ltd New Zealand Breeders Stakes.
And prominent Canterbury trainers Jean and Dave Fahey have a strong hand in the field, with four runners in the $30,000 feature.
Opawa Superstar is priced up as the $2.70 favourite with TAB NZ and has come up with Box 3. The talented youngster is aptly named, having already won 14 races from 20 starts – and he doesn't turn two for another month.
He was sent out paying $1.30 in last week's heat, but he only made a fair beginning off Box 6 and didn't get all favours in transit. He stormed home to finish second, a length astern of his kennelmate, Milky Tea.
"I think the draw's much better for him this week," says Dave Fahey. "He did have a few minor niggles over the last few weeks, but he's 100 per cent now."