Records Tumble: Federal Morgan Taking NZ By Storm

Obliterated! That's precisely what the sharp Federal Morgan did to the Manawatu 457m track record when recording a searing 25.25 on Monday. 

The Lisa Cole-trained Federal Morgan certainly didn't muck around, when after jumping from the five-trap, he spaced his rivals, leading home a classy field of greyhounds by a comfortable 4 ½ length margin.

All eyes then firmly focused onto the infield board which revealed his turbo-charged 25.25 time. 

The previous best Manawatu 457m clock had stood since February 2011 when New Zealand's highest stake earning greyhound Little Mother ($377,751), also trained by Cole, returned 25.43.

"No greyhound has gone close to Little Mother's track record in ten years," Brendon Cole said.

"For Federal Morgan to smash it by such a margin confirms he has the x-factor about him … but Little Mother will always hold a special place in our hearts. 

"I said to my daughter Ella when he was going into the turn, ‘I reckon the track record is on'. He jumped quickly, ran a quick mid-race sectional and then ran through the line strongly."

The Scott Eaton owned son of Barcia Bale and Absolute Beaut improved his time at the top of the leaderboard for the $25,000 City Of Palmerston North Golden Chase, having previously set the 457m time standard at 25.61.

The Golden Chase is the Palmerston North club's version of the popular and successful Sandown Park hosted Speed Star match-race format.

The qualifying process continues until March 23 when the eight quickest slot holders square off for the April 1 two-dog four-race match-up final. 

Muscling their way into the top-three Golden Chase positions on Monday was a pair of Peter Ferguson trained former New South Wales contenders.

Holding second is Drink Shoeys which clocked 25.52s when finishing runner-up to Federal Morgan. Earlier, Ferguson produced Pedro Lee to run 25.57s for his 457m assignment.

Federal Morgan has been scorching around Kiwi greyhound tracks, stylishly winning at four different venues. 

His eight assignments on this side of the Ditch have yielded him seven victories and a second. Included was the recent Group1 Hatrick Classic (520m), won in a quick 29.89.

The fastest Hatrick 520m time that evening was posted by Morgan's younger half-brother Federal Ranger (by Mepunga Blazer) which won a lower graded event in 29.81 for the same owing/training combination.   

Brendon Cole confirmed that Federal Morgan has a big target in front of him prior to contesting the Golden Chase final.

"He will be part of a large team that we'll take up to Manukau for the Auckland Cup (527m) and Railway (318m) heats."

Owing to the recent Covid-19 Auckland level 3 lockdown, the heats for both Group 1 races have been transferred to March 21, with the finals set down for March 28.    

Monday's meeting sure was a milestone occasion for Cole as earlier in the day Allegro Brandon became the 500th winner prepared from the Cole kennels for the current New Zealand season.    

Stakes won by Cole mentored chasers sit at just under the $1.6 million mark, as they rapidly close in on last season's Covid-19 interrupted record setting $2.2 million from 925m winners.