Chief Dribble dominates NZ Stayers Cup with 7.3-length victory
Chief Dribble, trained by Matt Roberts, delivered a commanding performance on NZ Cup night, claiming the Group 1 NZ Stayers Cup Final (732m) with a 7.3-length victory over rivals Blake and Grande Vue Ace.
The Australian-bred greyhound, son of Shima Shine and Slinky Inky, clocked an impressive 42.74 seconds to secure his latest title at Addington, with the top Australian bookmakers pricing him as a $1.18 deserving favourite.
2024 NZ Stayers Cup Final Race Replay – Chief Dribble (42.74)
Chief Dribble, owned by former Kiwi expat James Shaw and his wife Molly Haines, has become a formidable force in New Zealand’s staying division.
The 22-time winner has thrived since joining Roberts’ kennel, adding the Stayers Cup to his victories in the Group 1 Silver Collar and Group 2 Ray Adcock Memorial earlier this year.
Trainer Roberts praised Chief Dribble’s consistency over longer distances, highlighting the dog’s early speed and race positioning as critical elements of his success.
Since arriving from Australia, Chief Dribble has achieved six consecutive wins over 700 metres, a testament to his conditioning and Roberts’ management.
Looking ahead, Roberts has set his sights on the upcoming Group 1 Wanganui Distance (755m) next month, aiming to continue Chief Dribble’s remarkable streak in New Zealand’s premier staying races.
NZ Cup night was a showcase of greyhound racing talent, with top performances from another standout One Hot Bandit who claimed the New Zealand Cup for trainers Dave and Jean Fahey.