Hatrick helps create award winners

Hatrick Raceway PHOTO/FILE

It's a double-header for greyhound racing over the long weekend at Hatrick.

The normal Friday evening action returns after last week's big-ticket meeting in Palmerston North, while a 14-race card commences at 12.11pm on Monday.

Before we look at this evening's feature race, congratulations have to be extended to a number of winners at last weekend's Greyhound Racing NZ awards who are frequently sighted racing at Hatrick.

A steady stream of winners at virtually every Hatrick meeting assisted John McInerney to yet another Trainers' Premiership title.

He completed the 2014-15 season with 554 winners.

Another 1243 minor placings saw "Team" McInerney, which is a family orientated operation, gathering $1,045,680 in kennel stakes earnings.

The bulk of that came at the Addington and Hatrick tracks.

Lisa Ahern, who is following the All Black's World Cup campaign with husband Brendon Cole, was represented by their daughter Georgia Cole, who made numerous trips to the podium to accept awards.

Consistent Friday evening sprinter Elle Packer secured enough points to annex the NZ Sprinter of the Year and the NZ Bred Greyhound of the Year titles.

Hifi Allegro dominated the Hatrick 305m sprints during her outstanding career.

It is her progeny that is doing so now, and her puppies assisted her to win the NZ Dam of the Year title.

A newly instigated award is for the NZ Breeder of the Year, which saw Ahern winning through the consistent efforts from the litters bred by both Hifi Allegro and Trendy Habit.

Combined, the two litters produced 192 winners with the siblings earning $361,316 between them, again the greater bulk of that being delivered at Hatrick.

Winning the Group 1 Wanganui Distance assisted the classy stayer Shandell to victory in the code's ultimate accolade - the 2014-15 NZ Greyhound of the Year title.

Tonight's feature event at Hatrick - the Five Star Kennels and Runs C4/5 520m (Race 9, 8.05pm) - is dominated by Ahern-prepared chasers.

Leading their charge is the talented Radwanska, while Winsome Jenny, Smash Allegro and the nicely drawn Check The Mail are the support acts to her.

Looking to break the Ahern grip on this race is the Matt Roberts-trained Cawbourne Crouch, who made a welcome return to form when stylishly winning the Manawatu open class 375m sprint on Monday in a swift time.