The Kiwi bred chasing action moves down to the deep south for Tuesday’s round of NZRS Graduation 457m heats on Ascot Park. Three heats will decide the finalists for the $8,000 June 6 final. Here’s a look at those heat contenders.

Pic: Botany Alan who is a Southland NZRS Graduation heat contender (pic Dave Robbie)

NZRS Graduation heat 1, race 3

1 Nicey Spicey: She’s better known as a sprinter, who was held in the midfield throughout in her only previous 457m attempt around this circuit.
2 Avalanch City: He hasn’t been contesting the pace in his latest 520m and 545m races. He owns just one minor 457m placing here from six attempts.
3 Verbena: She has been 310m sprinting lately. She was held in the rear group throughout in her previous two 457m races.
4 Botany Alan: That was gutsy on the pace effort he delivered when he contested a Group 2 Addington 520m heat on Thursday.
5 Opawa Plum: She has been boldly contesting recent 645m and 630m staying events. Her current race fitness cannot be queried.
6 Max Stix: He is another who has been short course sprinting lately. Has placed in one of his three 457m races on this track.
7 Opawa Crusade: Vastly experienced sprinter whose only 457m race here was back in September when he was unplaced.
8 Sader Nation: He is likely to enjoy dropping back into this class after his Thursday Group 2 Addington 520m heat miss. He can swoop on his rivals from out here.

Reserves
9 Another Message: She will be giving away slice of class if she’s required here after being downgraded back to C1 after her Addington C2 520m miss Thursday.
10 Troublesome Brit: She has been 295m sprinting lately. The 457m trip here is likely to test her if she’s required.
 

Southland NZRS Graduation heat 1 contenders: Opawa Plum (left) and Sader Nation
 

NZRS Graduation heat 2, race 4

1 Know Sweat: He placed in his only previous 457m race here and he owns sound looking stats from this trap.
2 Anna Dior: She has been 295m sprinting lately. She has placed in two of her three prior 457m races at this venue.
3 Nozzno Fear: He has won a $7,500 feature Restricted Age 520m race, plus he ran third in a Manawatu NZRS Advanced 457m final.
4 Opawa Cheviot: Expect him to finish strongly here like he did when winning his C2 Addington 520n on Friday.
5 Regalyn: Locally trained chaser who must hop straight onto the early pace from the poor draw she has been allocated here.
6 His Nibs: His recent placings has been in Otago 310m sprints. He must improve on his 27.07s winning 457m time around here.
7 Opawa Denise: She’s a promising type who is making her track debut here after her sound Addington C1 520m races.
8 Homebush Howard: He has been racing in higher grades and that experience can see him featuring at the business end of this heat.

Reserves
9 Opawa Richie: He downgraded back to C1 and he struck straight away via his 33.10s Otago 545m win Tuesday.
10 Another Message: She will be giving away a slice of class if she’s required here after being downgraded back to C1 after her Addington C2 520m miss Thursday.
 

Southland NZRS Graduation heat 2 contenders: Nozzno Fear (left) and Homebush Howard (pics Dave Robbie)
 

NZRS Graduation heat 3, race 5

1 Hard Questions: He dropped back to C3 to score straight away via his Addington 30.45s 520m win on Thursday. He owns solid 457m form here.
2 Mischief Managed: She has been 295m sprinting lately although her 26.45s best 457m winning time around here is sound.
3 Trendy Blake: He controlled the pace throughout when he delivered his 32.64s Otago C1 545m win last Tuesday. He must use the same tactics here.
4 Goldstar Dodge: He has delivered competitive recent Addington 520m efforts and similar can be expected for his track debut here.
5 Opawa Sophie: She never cleared the midfield traffic when running out her C1 noms over 545m at Forbury Park on Tuesday.
6 Asserting Power: She’s checking out a middle distance event for the first time here. She must seek out the early pace.
7 Opawa Timo: He qualified for Thursday’s Group 2 520m final when delivering his solid half-length second behind the current NZ Oaks title holder.
8 Shift The Blame: He has been sent over this 457m trip on 11 occasions, resulting in seven minor placings.

Reserves
9 Another Message: She will be giving away a slice of class if she’s required here after being downgraded back to C1 after her Addington C2 520m miss Thursday.
10 Troublesome Brit: She has been 295m sprinting lately. The 457m trip here is likely to test her if she’s required.
 

Southland NZRS Graduation heat 3 contenders: Opawa Sophie (left) and Opawa Timo
 

By Peter Fenemor