The straight out speed merchants engage their paws in four heats of the long-standing Christchurch 295m sprint feature, the $7,500 Murray Wigley@ Ray White Harding Cup.

Pic: Swimming Goat winning last year’s Harding Cup sprint final (pic Dave Robbie)

Here’s a look at those heat contenders with their respective TAB Futures market quotes (option 995)

Murray Wigley@ Ray White Harding Cup - heat 1, race 9

1 Seeking Baxter ($61): Boldly chased home a sharp sprinter 5.75 lengths 310m second Tuesday. Sound form from this trap.
2 Replay ($126): He has been settling in the rear group lately – he can’t do that here.
3 Chaimbo ($151): It’s been a long time since he raced here.
4 Sarcasm ($26): He delivered a quick 17.28s 295m win last Thursday.
5 Speedy Return ($26): Proven 295m sprinter here, however he must jump better from poor draw.
6 My First Litter ($21): Returning here after Hatrick 305m sprints. He operates best from inside traps.
7 Hilton Open ($26): Has been racing from similar draws lately. Must step away quicker.
8 Cabarita ($61): Has been charging through the grades, winning from similar draws.

Reserves
9 With Pride ($81): Will be reverting back to sprinting if required after 520m misses.
10 Smash Bomber ($81): She copped an early check in her last start 295m feature heat.
 

Murray Wigley@ Ray White Harding Cup heat 1 contenders includes Chaimbo (left) and My First Litter
 

Murray Wigley@ Ray White Harding Cup - heat 2, race 10

1 Homebush Kelso ($21): He races very generously from this trap.
2 Wow Madonna ($21): Drawing closer to the rail may assist her.
3 Epic Woppa ($31): He can contest the pace and he can feature by doing so.
4 Another Belle ($151): She didn’t pick the jump from her recent trap one draws.
5 Fireman’s Galaxy ($51): Had no luck from this trap last time out. Likely to run on late.
6 Speedy Blueblood ($51): Has struck early traffic issues lately. Prior form was sharp.
7 Miss Fanning ($21): Sound pair of recent 295m sprints. She must hop straight onto the early pace.
8 Seriously Grand ($13): That was a bold 17.47s NZ debut 295m win last week. Has tidy Aussie trap eight form.

Reserves
9 With Pride ($81): Will be reverting back to sprinting if required after 520m misses.
10 Smash Bomber ($81): She copped an early check in her last start 295m feature heat.
 

Murray Wigley@ Ray White Harding Cup heat 2 contenders includes Epic Woppa (left – pic Dave Robbie) and Fireman’s Galaxy
 

Murray Wigley@ Ray White Harding Cup - heat 3, race 11

1 Puma Pants ($10): He dug in real deep to deliver his $8,000 295m feature win from this trap Thursday.
2 Homebush Sloan ($101): Produced a sound 1.7 length C4 310m third on Tuesday. This is a tougher task.
3 Rosa Tee ($14): She bombed the start in 295m feature last week. Slick prior 17.18s 295m win.
4 Burn Early ($31): She’s resuming from a spell. Expect a competitive fresh up sprint.
5 Ohoka Billy ($51): Sound effort in last start 295m feature. Has a rough draw here.
6 Sopoaga ($21): He threw everything at Puma Pants when going under by a nose last week.
7 Opawa Waihemo ($51): Was held in midfield traffic 310m Tuesday. Must hop onto the early pace.
8 Cawbourne Dotty ($26): Sound pace-making recent 295m wins. She’s drawn to swoop here.

Reserves
9 With Pride ($81): Will be reverting back to sprinting if required after 520m misses.
10 Smash Bomber ($81): She copped an early check in her last start 295m feature heat.
 

Murray Wigley@ Ray White Harding Cup heat 3 contenders includes Puma Pants (left) and Sopoaga (pic Dave Robbie)
 

Murray Wigley@ Ray White Harding Cup - heat 4, race 12

1 Technic ($51): He has no option but to quickly push forward from this trap.
2 Serious Torque ($14): He has been contesting the pace lately. Can feature here by doing likewise.
3 Swimming Goat ($2): He’s the 295m track record holder resuming from a spell. He demands respect.
4 Know Hassle ($61): Has been mixing his recent race distances and he hasn’t been picking the jump.
5 Homebush Flame ($81): She hasn’t previously featured from this lousy draw.
6 Opawa Binge ($61): He has been held in the rear group in his latest sprints. He can’t use that tactic here.
7 Fliberty Jiberty ($41): He must push himself straight onto the early pace here.
8 Sweet Abby Lee ($151): Her lack of wins from the wider traps is a concern for her here.

Reserves
9 With Pride ($81): Will be reverting back to sprinting if required after 520m misses.
10 Smash Bomber ($81): She copped an early check in her last start 295m feature heat.
 

Murray Wigley@ Ray White Harding Cup heat 4 contenders includes Technic (left – pic Dave Robbie) and Fliberty Jiberty
 

By Peter Fenemor