Greyhound racing: Chasing daylight at Hatrick

The Formpro Amazing Chase series is coming to town.

It's an afternoon meeting at Hatrick today with the first race being dispatched at 12.08pm.

The time change is owing to two Group races being decided during this evening's dual code Addington meeting.

The main event focus for the greyhound code throughout July will be firstly the qualifying window, followed by the July 30 running of the $30,500 Formpro Amazing Chase series.

The Amazing Chase is all about four, two dog match races who will not only race against each other, but also the clock over 527m at the Manukau Stadium.

To make that final, the top three times recorded (race or trial) at Manukau during July will be joined by the top two times recorded at the Hatrick and Addington venues during the same qualifying period, until July 23.

A third finalist will come from the later two tracks named with a ballot being held between the third quickest greyhounds at those venues.

Amazing Chase qualifying commenced at Hatrick last Friday, which sees the Lisa Cole-prepared Bigtime Vanessa currently sitting on top of the leader board here after she returned a 30.26s time over the 520m.

Kennelmate Bigtime Bell is presently in second after posting a 30.32s gallop, while Joe Joe for Marcie Flipp is sitting in third after his 30.36s time last Friday.

Looking to improve on their 520m times this afternoon are Bigtime Vanessa (Race 7) and Bigtime Bell (Race 9).

Both greyhounds are capable of delivering quicker times.

Bigtime Paddy (Cole) is in seventh place on the Hatrick ladder with a 30.71s time. Expect him to slice a fair portion off that time in Race 4 over 520m today.

He has drawn perfectly in the two trap and a winning gallop of around 30 seconds flat by him here certainly wouldn't surprise.

Bigtime Flyer (Cole) has a current 30.55s time lodged beside his name.

He receives an opportunity of being able to improve his time in the C3/4 Race 9, 520m event, this afternoon.

Another Cole-trained greyhound Bigtime Welldone is occupying the third position on the Manukau 527m leader board after she returned 30.65s when finishing second in last Sunday's NZ Sires Produce Stakes at Group 2 level.