Very competitive chasing looms during the four 527m Plaster Board Auckland Cup heats at the Manukau Stadium on Sunday afternoon as the cream of the nation’s middle distance greyhounds hunt down places for the $80,000 final.
Pictured: Dyna Vikkers, last year’s Auckland Cup winner
Those chasers are seeking to finish in the first two placings, which will ensure a return to contest the Group 1 final next Sunday. Here’s a run down on those heats, including their TAB Futures market (winner of the final) quotes – Win option 951, Top 3 Finish option 952.
Plaster Board Auckland Cup heat 1, race 7
- Kava Blu $9 & $3:
He was the runner up in last year’s Auckland Cup and he signaled his intention of contesting another final via his stylish 30.49s Addington 520m win on Thursday.
- Stinger $101 & $26:
His form line says look elsewhere here, although his tidy trap-2 stats says consider for the minors.
- Mina Allen $61 & $18:
That was a bold 1.6 length Addington $7,500 feature 520m third she delivered on Thursday. She must punch forward early here.
- Absinthe Minded $81 & $21:
Delivered a gutsy last start effort when trying to lead a 645m field throughout. His last 527m race here was a creditable second in a 527m feature event.
- Fantastic Ricki $81 & $21:
Struck early traffic problems in her last start Cambridge 457m $10,000 feature event. She can and she must contest the early pace.
- Berridale Lad $21 & $5.50:
This bloke owns a sharp second sectional which he used to carry him into his Hatrick Group 1 520m third two races ago.
- Thrilling Boris $3 & $1.50:
He’s a dual Group 1 winner, including a smart 29.97s 527m win here. Completely forget about his 527m Sunday miss and keep him safe here.
- Soaring Hawke $101 & $26:
He led a C3 527m field all the way here when winning in 30.86s Sunday. This is considerably tougher.
Reserves
- Thrilling Raider $8 & $3:
He’s only sitting on the reserves bench owing to his C3 grading. He can feature if he gains a race start here.
- Tranquil Rue $51 & $14:
This will be a massive rise in class for him if he required here following his last start Hatrick C2 30.35s 520m win.
Plaster Board Auckland Cup heat 1 contenders includes (from left): Kava Blu, Absinthe Minded, Thrilling Boris
Plaster Board Auckland Cup heat 2, race 8
- Opawa Norris $26 & $7:
He placed in his only previous 527m outing around here. This draw says keep him very safe here.
- Helena Allen $61 & $18:
She occupied the rear group throughout during her last start Addington 520m outing from this trap. Her track debut here is the concern.
- Cawbourne Clover $61 & $16:
She was an Auckland Cup finalist last year, although she has now dropped back into the C4 chasing ranks.
- He’s All Power $5 & $2:
He seems to be appropriately named judging by his powerful recent Addington 520m wins. Respect him.
- Timma Turtle $14 & $4.20:
That was a stylish track debut 2.5 length second he delivered in last Sunday’s $5,000 feature 527m event.
- Belcroft Banker $61 & $16:
He has been short course Cambridge 375m sprinting lately. Has no option but to search out the early pace from trap rise here.
- Blazing Spirit $61 & $16:
His qualifying claims here cannot be lightly dismissed as his 527m record around here is sound.
- Lochinvar Brogue $61 & $16:
He has done everything right in his three Cambridge 375m sprints since resuming from a spell. He’ll be ready to produce a strong 527m race here.
Reserves
- Thrilling Raider $8 & $3:
See heat 1 for comment.
- Tranquil Rue $51 & $14:
See heat 1 for comment.
Plaster Board Auckland Cup heat 2 contenders includes (from left): Opawa Norris, Timma Turtle, Lochinvar Brogue
Plaster Board Auckland Cup heat 3, race 9
- Opawa Kevin $26 & $6.50:
A tardy start proved to be costly for him from trap eight in Thursday’s Addington $7,500 520m feature. His top stats from this trap says he can advance.
- Letron James $41 & $22:
He was jammed up in midfield traffic for the entire trip during his Addington $7,500 Thursday feature outing. He must jump straight onto the early pace.
- Paul Dozer $41 & $11:
He holds a current C4 grading, however his recent 457m and 520m efforts suggests that he isn’t a forlorn prospect in this heat.
- Loose Unit $14 & $4.20:
He stylishly handled his track debut outing on Sunday when leading a C3/4 527m field throughout for his 30.86s win. He’s a likely improver.
- Timmy Trumpet $5.50 & $2.20:
He strongly dealt to his $5,000 feature 527m rivals in 30.60s last Sunday from this trap. Expect him to serve up a repeat dose again.
- Gold Class $61 & $16:
She didn’t pick the jump from trap seven last Sunday and she suffered from traffic problems. She must use her known early pace here.
- Zipping Marlisa $41 & $11:
She has missed from this trap in her latest Addington 520m assignments. That’s a concern for this track debuting girl here.
- Kimetto $61 & $16:
He owns just one minor placing from seven previous races from this trap. That’s the worry for him from out here.
Reserves
- Thrilling Raider $8 & $3:
See heat 1 for comment.
- Tranquil Rue $51 & $14:
See heat 1 for comment.
Plaster Board Auckland Cup heat 3 contenders includes (from left): Paul Dozer, Timmy Trumpet, Gold Class
Plaster Board Auckland Cup heat 4, race 10
- Fantastic Ava $151 & $36:
She controlled the pace throughout when delivering her 18.47s 318m C4 Sunday win. Securing this trap has enhanced her qualifying claims here.
- Opawa Kuru $101 & $26:
He was roughed up and lost all claims when going into the first turn in Sunday’s $5,000 feature 520m. He finished strongly for his prior 527m wins here.
- Majestic Action $41 & $11:
He was held in the midfield, then pressed on during the run home for his three length Addington 520m Thursday fourth. Must start better here.
- Mark’s Boy $41 & $11:
He set the pace down the back straight, then he was impeded when on track debut $5,000 527m feature on Sunday. Improver after that outing.
- Our Sambo $81 & $21:
He has been delivering really bold recent races in strong 527m fields. His qualifying claims cannot be ignored owing those efforts.
- Cawbourne Brick $21 & $6:
He ran fourth in last year’s Auckland Cup final. He’s had a strong build up for this series meaning he’s match fit and race hardened for this assignment.
- Spud Missile $26 & $7:
He has hinted lately that he is returning to his known bold on the pace racing style that he has so effectively used in the past.
- Zipping Jordan $14 & $3.80:
Her pace-making tactics must be rewarded soon. The NZ Cup runner up was again run down late when finishing second in Thursday’s $7,500 Addington 520m feature.
Reserves
- Thrilling Raider $8 & $3:
See heat 1 for comment.
- Tranquil Rue $51 & $14:
See heat 1 for comment.
Plaster Board Auckland Cup heat 4 contenders includes (from left): Cawbourne Brick, Spud Missile, Zipping Jordan
By Peter Fenemor
