The high power staying action continues at the Addington Raceway on Thursday evening where two heats over the 732m journey will decide the finalists for next Friday’s $25,000 Christchurch Casino NZ Stayers Cup at Group 1 level.

Pic: Can’t Catch Tim is returning to defend his Christchurch Casino NZ Stayers Cup title

The heats feature the first three stayers to finish in the recent Plasterboard Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar final over the extreme 779m trip. Here’s a look at those heat contenders with their respective TAB Futures market quotes – option 982

Christchurch Casino NZ Stayers Cup, heat 1 – race 10

1 Waimac $26: He’s a Maiden graded stayer who really stepped up to the mark when he delivered his gutsy recent Forbury Park 4.25 length 770m second.

2 Know Worth $81: She contested this final last year and she is a 44.22s winner over this trip. Her qualifying claims here hinges on her securing a handy early field position.

3 Shandell $7.50: She won this race two races ago and she finished fourth in last year’s final. The recent brave Silver Collar runner-up holds sound obvious qualifying claims here.

4 Opawa Hope $61: She ran on from the rear group on the home turn to finish a distant fourth in her only previous attempt over this journey.

5 Tranquil Blossom $5: She served up a hiding to her Manawatu 660m rivals on Monday which followed on from her luckless recent 779m Silver Collar series.

6 Can’t Catch Tim $21: He won this final last year. He hasn’t been the same strong staying force he was then, however, he has been there and done that over 732m.

7 Opawa Cheviot $18: He bravely set up the pace when he dictated terms to his Forbury Park 770m rivals to deliver his recent 47.70s win.

8 Mandy Junior $41: She has only recently been stepped up to the staying distances, placing in two of her three 645m races. This is another step up into the unknown for her.
 

Christchurch Casino NZ Stayers Cup heat 1 contenders (from left): Shandell; Tranquil Blossom; Opawa Cheviot
 

Christchurch Casino NZ Stayers Cup, heat 2 – race 11

1 Heritage Watch $201: He gamely raced handy to the pace throughout for his recent 2.75 lengths Forbury Park 770m second. Finished in the midfield in his heat for this last year.

2 Know Jinx $18: She’s returning here after her brave Silver Collar 779m third which came after she was checked at a crucial stage.

3 Goldstar Coco $101: She peaked on her gallop over the later stages in her recent 770m outing. She missed in her heat for this event last year.

4 Gentleman Tim $41: He’s likely to be sighted racing handy to the pace for long way here like he has during his 645m assignments around here.

5 Luciastar $101: His only staying placings has been a pair of thirds over the Ascot Park 630m trip. He occupied the rear group in his only 732m outing around here.

6 Opawa Plum $26: She was contained in the midfield pack throughout when sent over 770m two races ago. Her staying placings has been over 645m here.

7 Ring The Bell $1.80: He crushed his rivals in both his heat and the final of the recent 779m Silver Collar series when using pace making tactics. Expect similar again here.

8 Translator $7.50: He extended strongly during the run home to nail his 38.10s Sunday 645m win. He looks ready for his first crack at 732m racing here.
 

Christchurch Casino NZ Stayers Cup heat 2 contenders (from left): Know Jinx; Ring The Bell; Translator
 

By Peter Fenemor