First step to Melbourne Cup in Hatrick

Aside from Group 1 glory, a prized place in a heat for the world's richest greyhound race, the A$600,000 Melbourne Cup, is on offer for the winner of the $32,785 Waterloo Cup.

For local greyhounds, the road to the Auckland-hosted final and then potentially onto Melbourne commences at the Hatrick Raceway this evening.

The Waterloo Cup is unique in its format. Qualifying heats are held at four different venues throughout the country.

Cambridge and Addington held their Waterloo Cup heats yesterday, while the final heat will be contested at the Manukau Stadium on Sunday.

The first two finishers in each heat earns a place in the October 1 Group 1 decider.

High flying trainer Lisa Cole has accepted with two very strong contenders in this evening's Waterloo Cup heat (Race 9).

Bigtime Paddy has been electric when racing around the 520m trip at this venue.

He has clocked up a number of sub 30 second-winning times here and another time around that mark after he steps away from the two trap should be sufficient for Bigtime Paddy to book his trip north.

Kennelmate Allegro Gun is really flying at the moment.

He slipped through his 520m assignment here last Friday in a slick 29.96s and he then backed that effort up with another quality 25.82s won over 457m in Palmerston North on Monday.

Potentially standing in the way of the two Cole-prepared chasers is the Craig Roberts and Canterbury-trained Ride Ain't Over.

He inflicted defeat on the kennelmates when he powerfully won last month's Wanganui Cup here.

The Cole pair occupied the minor sides of the Hatrick podium after that Group 1 event.

The concern for Ride Ain't Over is his normal tardy starting habits.

This evening's seven dog field is likely to assist him Ride Ain't Over to pick a path past his rivals.

It will be a major upset if the two qualifiers for the Waterloo Cup come from outside of this trio of classy chasers.

Bad racing luck will be required to deny them.

If that occurs, then the possible beneficiary could be Cawbourne Buckle for Matt Roberts.

She stylishly won a C3/4 520m event here two Friday's ago, using her known staying strength.

Cawbourne Buckle is match fit and race hardened after her solid 660m heat third last Monday, which qualified her for this Monday's Group 2 final in Palmerston North.