The quality Group 1 chasing action continues at Hatrick on Friday evening where five competitive 520m heats will decide the finalists for next Friday’s $25,000 The Rock 95.2FM NZ Futurity.
Pic: Storm Warning after his slick 29.80s 520m win last Friday
The NZ Futurity is regarded as the toughest Restricted Age event to contest on the national calendar. The event brings together the boys and girls after a number of them contested their recent NZ Derby and NZ Oaks assignments. Here’s a run-down on those heat contenders (check out the TAB Futures market quotes – Win option 971; Top Three option 972)
NZ Futurity heat 1, race 6
1 Meteor Vege: Sound 520m form, although she is giving away a slice of class to her rivals being a C3 graded chaser. She must step away smartly here.
2 Cawbourne Foxy: She’s a former open class chaser, who now finds herself back in the C3 ranks. Tardy recent starts have hindered her stake claims.
3 Spring Allegro: He’s checking out the 520m trip at this venue for the first time after his sound recent 457m efforts. He must and can use his known early pace here.
4 Bombs Falling: It would pay to overlook his latest misses which includes his NZ Derby finals appearance two races ago. Making that final contained merit.
5 Yooldome: Northern chaser, who is facing his toughest career test from a lousy draw while on track debut here. Has no option but to push up onto the early pace.
6 King’s Call: He has been mixing his recent race distances. He holds a C5 grading, however, his tendency of staying out in the middle of the track makes his task a tad tougher.
7 He’ All Power: He was the potent winner of the Plasterboard Ltd Auckland Cup who has drawn to strongly make his presence felt here. Here’s a look back at his Auckland Cup victory
8 Bigtime Rise: Promising youngster, who endured a luckless NZ Oaks finals outing from this trap when she was carved up fell going into the first turn.
Reserves –
9 Gunnar Blueblood: He’s out-graded being a C2 assessed chaser. He bravely led home the vain chase for his distant second last week in a swiftly run 520m event.
10 Mija Sydney: He’s an exciting young chasing prospect who produced a slippery 29.84s last start C1 520m win here. Lack of racing experience is the concern for him.
The Rock 95.2FM NZ Futurity heat 1 contenders Yooldome (left) and He’s All Power
NZ Futurity heat 2, race 7
1 Cawbourne Mezza: She dictated the pace throughout when delivering her 21.71s C4/5 Manawatu 375m Monday win. She must use those tactics here.
2 Mazu: He finished solidly for his 1.75 length Addington 520m second to race rival here Mandy Junior. He has drawn to feature here.
3 Cawbourne Toddy: A combination of being C3 graded, plus his lack of 520m wins on this track says he’s facing a tough task here.
4 See Eye Aye: He has compiled a tidy 520m record around here, however, those stats have all been in lower grades. This is harder.
5 Mandy Junior: She controlled the pace when delivering her strong Addington 30.45s last start 520m win. That says respect her here.
6 Opawa Kim: A tardy start didn’t aid her claims in the recent NZ Oaks final. Strong type, although she must break quicker here.
7 Bigtime Power: He ruthlessly lined up a strong chaser when rounding the final bend and cut clear to post his stylish 30.24s 520m win last Friday. He’s still improving.
8 Bigtime OnFire: She was gallant when she was cut out of a podium position during the final few bounds in the NZ Oaks final. She can contest the pace.
Reserves –
9 Bigtime Flyer: That was an impressive pace-making 30.73s Manukau $7,000 NZRS Novice 527m win last Sunday. This is a tougher assignment.
10 Mija Sydney: He’s an exciting young chasing prospect who produced a slippery 29.84s last start C1 520m win here. Lack of racing experience is the concern for him.
The Rock 95.2FM NZ Futurity heat 2 contenders Cawbourne Mezza (left) and Bigtime Power
NZ Futurity heat 3, race 8
1 Beltom: Overlook her recent northern 527m misses. She’s is very smart and securing this trap brings her strongly in contention for this heat.
2 Bigtime Bell: She is a promising staying chaser which says watch for her to be sighted doing her best work at the business end here.
3 Helski Bale: Canterbury visitor who is picking on some proven chasers to make his track debut against here. His last start 520m win was at C2 level.
4 Hypocritical: He had dropped back to C2 when he delivered his 17.50s 305m win last Friday. This 520m trip looks to be at the top end of his range.
5 Fair Pippa: She lost momentum when she was jostled going into the first turn in the NZ Oaks final. It was an eye-catching effort she put in to claim her third placing.
6 Bigtime Bakagain: His only 520m win here came in a tidy 30.09s time, however, slow recent starts has harmed his stake earning claims.
7 Cawbourne Trixy: She’s returning here after missing in her two-race Addington 520m campaign. She owns early pace and she is proven at this venue.
8 Opawa Brad: He brings solid Addington 520m form north with him and he is presented with swooping claims from this trap.
Reserves –
9 Bigtime Flyer: That was an impressive pace-making 30.73s Manukau $7,000 NZRS Novice 527m win last Sunday. This is a tougher assignment.
10 Mija Sydney: He’s an exciting young chasing prospect who produced a slippery 29.84s last start C1 520m win here. Lack of racing experience is the concern for him.
The Rock 95.2FM NZ Futurity heat 3 contenders Beltom (left) and Cawbourne Trixy
NZ Futurity heat 4, race 9
1 Albie Punter: NZ Oaks finalist who draws the trap she most desires. Expect a competitive effort from her owing to that.
2 Storm Warning: NZ Derby winner who crushed his C2 520m rivals in a potent low flying 29.80s time last Friday. Here’s a look at that effort
3 Opawa Racer: He struck early traffic problems during his Addington 520m outing last week. He is capable of snaring a minor placing here.
4 Spare Some Time: He returns to this venue after his sound recent Manawatu 457m wins. He won the 520m Wanganui Derby here last November.
5 Cawbourne Nath: He turned in an okay on the pace 5.5 length 520m third in his first look at 520m racing here last Friday.
6 Allen Hadrian: He ran on from the rear group for his last start Addington C5 520m fourth. He must put himself straight onto the pace here.
7 Nitehawk Rose: She is a better chaser than what her current form line indicates. She is proven around here so consider her for the minor options.
8 Five Eyes: She has done a great job in only a handful of race starts including her smart last start 26.09s 457m win. She is stepping massively up in class here.
Reserves –
9 Bigtime Flyer: That was an impressive pace-making 30.73s Manukau $7,000 NZRS Novice 527m win last Sunday. This is a tougher assignment.
10 Mija Sydney: He’s an exciting young chasing prospect who produced a slippery 29.84s last start C1 520m win here. Lack of racing experience is the concern for him.
The Rock 95.2FM NZ Futurity heat 4 contenders Albie Punter (left) and Cawbourne Nath
NZ Futurity heat 5, race 10
1 Ride Ain’t Over: This guy owns plenty of raw ability, however, he must hop away smartly. He tends to be a tad slow, then moves away from the rail which is a worry from this trap.
2 Vikings: This fella is going from strength to strength as seen in his pair of strong 457m and 520m wins which followed his NZ Derby second placing which is seen here
3 Bigtime Welldone: He didn’t pick the jump from inside traps in his recent 457m and 520m assignments. He cannot be ignored owing to his tidy 29.88s 520m best.
4 Allegro Beaty: She is giving away degree of class here being a C3 assessed chaser. Others hold stronger claims here.
5 Bigtime Jason: He seized the early race lead from this trap in his last appearance here and he was never headed when delivering his 30.21s 520m win.
6 Blazing Spirit: He returns here after his bold Manukau 30.53s 527m win two ago. He has won here in 30.21s.
7 Min Ho: The recent NZ Derby third place-getter has been in super form since then, which includes his 25.65s Ascot Park 457m track record. The only worry is his wide draw.
8 Cawbourne Crowie: He hasn’t been able to clear the inside traffic from similar recent 520m draws. That’s a concern for him here.
Reserves –
9 Gunnar Blueblood: He’s out-graded being a C2 assessed chaser. He bravely led home the vain chase for his distant second last week in a swiftly run 520m event.
10 Mija Sydney: He’s an exciting young chasing prospect who produced a slippery 29.84s last start C1 520m win here. Lack of racing experience is the concern for him.
The Rock 95.2FM NZ Futurity heat 5 contenders Vikings (left) and Min Ho
By Peter Fenemor
