The chase for the most prized trophy in the greyhound code gets under way at the Manukau Stadium tomorrow afternoon when the nation's best stayers contest three heats in their bid to seek a desired place in the following Sunday's $80,000 Silver Collar field.
The first heat (race 6, 4.55pm)
sees the freakish Steve Clark, Albany trained Swift Fantasy lining up. She sensationally won the recent Wanganui Distance final over 755m. Sudden Sam, mentored by master Canterbury trainer Ray Adcock, was last year's runner-up and is favoured to also qualify from this heat.
Local favourite Rasmah from the Ben Craik Drury kennels will give a great sight for a long way in the second heat (race 8, 5.38pm). The proven stayer Bonnie Bouchea from the Paul Freeman and Angela Turnwald Foxton kennels is a huge chance, while the potent Canterbury trainers Dave and Jean Fahey are seeking further Silver Collar success with Let's Debate.
Gary Harding's Varvatos won last year's Silver Collar in track record time and he commences his defence in the final heat (race 9, 5.57pm). Cambridge trainer Arch Lawrence is looking for Shea Sherie to repeat her effort last year when she was a finalist.
The Auckland Oaks (race 4, 4.10) is the other feature on the card which sees Little Mother lining up after she won the $20,000 NZ Top Gun at Addington Raceway on Thursday night.
