Tonight's $22,500 Opawa Racing Wellington Cup, at group 1 level over 520 metres at Wanganui's Hatrick Raceway (race 8, 7.36pm) promises to be a fascinating contest.
The result of last Friday's two qualifying heats, plus the way the box-draw has panned out, contribute to the intrigue.
Firstly, champion greyhound Little Mother is missing from action tonight after she was comprehensively carved up at the start in her heat.
Secondly, the potent Dave and Jean Fahey Canterbury training partnership provided the quinella in both of those heats, although one of them (Sideshow Bob) has since been an injury-enforced scratching.
Thirdly, the box-trap has brought the Tirau-based, Karen Walsh-trained Thrilling Ransom strongly into contention after securing the prized one-trap draw.
Okay, let's start with the Faheys - Know Peace was the fastest of the heat winners after he clocked a swift 29.87 seconds, while Sam I Am returned 30.03s. Know Peace was the winner of last month's group 1 Spion Rose Cup on this track and he looms as a serious chance of serving up a repeat dose in this event.
"He has worked well since Friday and he's ready for a bold race," said Dave Fahey.
"And Ultimate Dream and Sam I Am are both capable of securing a slice of the stake - all three of them are spot on."
So how about Thrilling Ransom, who is a dual group race winner at Hatrick?
"On top of my wish list was getting the one-trap - he got it, so now it's all over to him to effectively use it," said Walsh.
"Lately he had tried to put himself into the race, but he got hammered when driving for a gap. He has come through those races really good and everything is positive for him."
And what about the prospects of a Hurricanes region trained Wellington Cup winner?
You would have to say that appears a tad on the remote side. However, with the region providing the remaining four runners, they - at the very least - cannot be ignored for the minor stakes payout.
Two Palmerston North-trained runners have qualified, including the youngster Buddy Broke for Billy Hodgson.
"He's not the fastest away, but he does own a powerful finish - so, yes, he can get some of this stake," said Hodgson.
Lisa Ahern sees first reserve Darlyne Ottey getting back into the field and she will leap from the six-trap.
"She has to start smartly because she's likely to cut straight to the rail. She's a place chance by doing so," suggested Ahern.
Just down the road in Levin, Alan and Janet Hall have been applying the finishing touches to Freddy John.
"He keeps on making group race finals, but he keeps on drawing poorly - although he did well last week from that trap (seven) in his heat," said Janet Hall.
And up in Marton, the John McInerney-trained Kazz Razz won't be overly fazed about being required to exit from the eight-trap, as kennel rep Stephen McInerney confirms. "She can take a flier and, hopefully, she can lead them into the first turn. She will make things interesting by doing so."