Racing: Locals to dominate

Code Nine is a leading chance at Manukau Park tonight.Picture / Trish Dunell

Tonight's $80,000 Plaster Board Auckland Cup final, at group one level, appears set to be fought out among locally-trained greyhounds, if last Thursday's three semifinals are any indication.

The Ben Craik, Drury-trained Code Nine has been sublime in this series, setting the meet best heat and semi 527m times of 30.59 and 30.sec at the Manukau Stadium.

"Just like in all finals he needs to start quickly. The five is likely to go over to the rail, so that should leave my bloke with a gap, which he must use.

"I don't think he can come from behind in this field, so he must be up on that early pace," said Craik.

Denis Schofield trained Fancy Tip to an upset victory in last year's Cup. This year, he has two sound looking prospects.

Lochinvar Brando has displayed distinct improvement during this series, which was confirmed by his strong 30.36sec semi win.

"This dog has got a motor, but he has to put himself into the race early. If he's camped on the leaders when turning for home, then his strength can be the telling factor," said Schofield.

Kennel mate Jannik is already a group one winner this season and he is a chance of being able to add this title after his 30.53sec semi win.

"If he can gain the early race lead, then he is smart enough to lead throughout. We freshened him coming into this series and, yes, he can be right in this."

Tirau trainer Karen Walsh is generally represented by handy contenders and she will be loading away Thrilling Butcha in trap three.

"He didn't have a great semi, where he had a hindered passage. That's the worry for him in the final as I don't expect him to lead early, but I would like to see him handy to the pace. He is a fearless greyhound who will charge through gaps," she said.

Holding place claims is the Tom Patton-trained Valain's Flyer, who has drawn ideally in trap eight.