Three mouthwatering heats will be paraded to the Hatrick Raceway 520m traps on Friday evening to contest the heats for the second running of the $27,465 Hatrick Classic at Group 1 level.

Pictured: Thrilling Boris, who was last year’s brilliant winner of the Hatrick Classic with his trainer Karen Walsh

Only the first two finishers, along with the fastest pair of thirds will return to contest the 26 January final. The depth of quality and evenness in the heats will ensure close, intensive chasing action.

It’s a full on evening of high class heat action as the Kiwi bred short course sprinters will also contest six heats for their $8,400 NZRS Sprint series.

Here’s a rundown on the Hatrick Classic heat fields, along with their respective TAB Futures Win (option 1971) & Top 3 (option 1972) quotes.

Hatrick Classic, heat 1 – race 4

1. Shreddin’ $21 & $5.50: He’s a recent open class graduate, who can deliver a competitive effort in this heat after running fourth in Tuesday’s Otago 545m Group 2 heat from here.
2. Bigtime Jason $41 & $11: He’s a much better chaser than what his current form indicates. Jumping from this trap can aid his qualifying claims here.
3. Vikings $21 & $5.50: He wasn’t able to clear early traffic over 545m during Tuesday’s Group 2 heat. Forget that as he can feature in this event.
4. Cawbourne Trixy $31 & $8.50: She’s facing a steep class rise here after winning her C2/3 Friday 520m event in 30.16s. She is likely to finish solidly here.
5. Allen Ablett $5 & $2: He stylishly won December’s Group 1 520m event here, then he strongly chased home Me Jane for his Group 2 457m second. He demands respect here. .
6. Timma Turtle $101 & $26: He’s returning to his former home track after some sound recent Cambridge sprints. He does own some respectable 520m times around here.
7. Me Jane $31 & $8.50: She was an early January Group 2 457m Cambridge winner. She led throughout to deliver that win, which is the same tactic she must use in this event.
8. Fusion Cronulla $41 & $11: That was bold effort when he chased home a handy type for his length second in what was a swiftly run Monday 457m race.
   
   RESERVES
9. Cawbourne Symsy $501 & $126: He’s out graded here which is reflected in the outsized odds he’s being offered at here.
10. He Can Yodel $151 & $36: He has dropped back down the grades into his current C3 assessment. Take a close look at him in the race 2 C3 520m event.

  

Hatrick Classic heat 1 contenders includes (from left): Vikings, Allen Ablett, Me Jane

Hatrick Classic, heat 2 – race 5

1. Dirk Bale $10 & $3.20: He thrives whenever he races from this trap as seen by his three wins from as many races from it. He has drawn to lead this heat all the way.
2. Nature’s Gent $4.50 & $1.90: He’s the current NZ Cup title holder who has drawn to advance into this final. He’s fresh up which isn’t expected to concern him whatsoever.
3. Bigtime Levi $16 & $4.50: He certainly isn’t known for his early pace, however he’s definitely is known for his powerful finishing efforts.
4. Cawbourne Mezza $81 & $21: She arrives into this event on the back of her recent Manawatu 375m sprints. She has no option but to jump straight onto the early pace.
5. Ridin’ Shotgun $18 & $5: He has developed into an ultra consistent chaser as seen by him earning a stake in all 13 of his career races (ten wins). He must be respected here.
6. He’s All Power $31 & $8.50: He struck some midfield traffic problems over 545m in his Group 2 545m heat on Tuesday. He’s likely to reliant on early racing luck here.
7. Spare Some Time $41 & $11: He is a previous Group1 520m winner on this track, who won’t mind hopping away from out here. He can and he must contest the early pace here.
8. Cactus Jack $61 & $16: He was the NZ Cup runner up who was run down late over 545m on Tuesday in his Group 2 heat. He owns early pace which is an asset he must use here.
   
   RESERVES
9. Cawbourne Symsy $501 & $126: He’s out graded here which is reflected in the outsized odds he’s being offered at here.
10. He Can Yodel $151 & $36: He has dropped back down the grades into his current C3 assessment. Take a close look at him in the race 2 C3 520m event.

  

Hatrick Classic heat 2 contenders includes (from left): Nature’s Gent, Ridin’ Shotgun, Spare Some Time

Hatrick Classic, heat 3 – race 6

1. Thrilling Raider $16 & $4.50: He’s a strong dead set railing chaser who obviously has drawn perfectly for his racing style here. He must be respected.
2. Quistis Bale $18 & $5: She’s in current career best form as seen by her rather generous recent races. Expect a competitive heat effort by her from this trap.
3. Junk Mail $21 & $6: He controlled the pace throughout when delivering his bold 32.85s 545m Tuesday Group 2 heat win. He is making his track debut outing here.
4. No Time Toulouse $41 & $11: She owns early pace therefore she’s likely to contest the early pace here. She does tend to head down towards the rail, therefore she must jump clear.
5. Snoop Junior $61 & $16: He’s an Aussie imported chaser who owns quick Melbourne 525m winning times. He was held in traffic during in his 375m NZ debut on Monday.
6. Ride Ain’t Over $14 & $4: He won a Group 1 520m event on this track earlier this season. He owns a punishing finish which he can use to telling effect here.
7. Nitehawk Rose $81 & $21: She was last presented back in November when she contested a 660m staying event. She isn’t renowned for her early pace.
8. Bigtime Paddy $5 & $2: Drawing out here is a concern, although in saying that this bloke owns a stack of quick winning sub 30 second winning 520m times around this circuit.
   
   RESERVES
9. Cawbourne Symsy $501 & $126: He’s out graded here which is reflected in the outsized odds he’s being offered at here.
10. He Can Yodel $151 & $36: He has dropped back down the grades into his current C3 assessment. Take a close look at him in the race 2 C3 520m event.

  

Hatrick Classic heat 3 contenders includes (from left): Thrilling Raider, Ride Ain’t Over, Bigtime Paddy

NZRS Sprint Heats

As indicated above there will be some rather seriously intense 305m sprinting action during the last six races at this meeting. Obviously just the six heat winners will be joined by the quickest two heat second place getters in next Friday’s $8,400 final for the Kiwi bred straight out sprinters.
 

  

Holding sound looking qualifying claims from the six NZRS Sprints heats includes (from left): The 17.07s Hatrick 305m track record holder Allegro Gun (heat1); this season’s dual group race sprint place getter Highland Laddie (heat 3) and the nicely drawn Bigtime Shaker (heat 6)
 

By Peter Fenemor