Two rather compelling looking 457m heats on Monday will decide the finalists for the June 5 $15,000 North Island Challenge Stakes at the Manawatu Raceway at Group 2 level.

Pic: The potent one turn track specialist American Warrior

Here’s look at those heat contenders

North Island Challenge Stakes, heat 1 – race 10

1 Cawbourne Nath: He has been mixing his recent race distances lately. His sole 457m victory came three races ago when he snatched his nose 26.02s win.
2 Map My Run: Overlook his Cambridge 375m miss on Thursday. He has been racing generously on this track, including his 26.12s 457m Monday win.
3 Storm Warning: He was beaten on merit over 457m on Monday. Forget that as this NZ Derby winner demands absolute respect based on his 25.77s 457m best here.
4 Resident Djay: He had traffic issues when making his NZ debut in a NZ St Leger heat. He owns strong winning Victorian one turn track form.
5 Takamori: Slow recent starts hasn’t aided this proven 457m chaser. His ring craft will take him a long way, but he must jump straight onto the pace here.
6 Timma Turtle: The qualifying scenario for this bloke is very simple – he must and he can jump straight onto the pace. He raced over 520m at Hatrick on Friday.
7 Paul Dozer: He was last presented at Cambridge over 457m on April 6. This Auckland Cup runner up has earned a stake in all five of his 457m race at this venue.
8 Cawbourne Brick: He a proven, tough railing chaser who isn’t going to enjoy racing from out here. He must push forward early. He also raced at Hatrick over 520m on Friday.
 

North Island Challenge Stakes heat 1 contenders (from left): Storm Warning; Takamori; Paul Dozer

North Island Challenge Stakes, heat 2 – race 11

1 Cawbourne Jarrod: He finds this trip right at the very top end of his range as seen by his one placing from four previous 457m attempts.
2 Ride Ain’t Over: He announced his arrival at the elite level when delivering his strong NZ St Leger win on Thursday. He has won over 457m on Ascot Park in a sharp 25.90s.
3 Allegro Gun: Very sharp sprinter who contested the NZ Derby final and he ran third in a Cambridge Group 2 457m event. He sprinted over 305m at Hatrick on Friday.
4 American Warrior: This fella owns the one turn tracks having won all ten of his races on this shaped circuit. He’s won at Group 2 level here and he holds the Ascot Park 457m track record.
5 Cawbourne Trixy: She hasn’t been using her known early pace lately. She has compiled top 457m stats on this track, although admittedly in the lower grades.
6 Bronster: This owner of 26.09s best 457m time around here has yet to feature when taking on the gun chasers. He contested a Hatrick 520m event on Friday.
7 Mija Sydney: He returns here after a freakish set of Hatrick sub 30 second 520m wins. It will be interesting to see what he can clock around here if he sniffs out the early pace here.
8 Cawbourne Crowie: He has been sprinting lately, although he does own sound lower grade 457m form around here. He must improve on his 26.17s 457m best time here.
 

North Island Challenge Stakes heat 2 contenders (from left): Ride Ain’t Over; Allegro Gun; Mija Sydney
 

By Peter Fenemor