The locally Brian Marsh-prepared Tyson's Quest had dropped back to C4 when he took an absolute flyer from trap eight, which translated into his effortless seven length Friday victory, clocking 30.19s for his 520m assignment.
That time was just a smidgen slower than the Waterloo Cup heat time (30.18s) which shows Tyson's Quest, who has again drawn trap eight, is a serious contender in this event, even though he now returns to the open class chasing ranks.
The Roberts-prepared Cawbourne Trixy suffered from traffic issues in an Auckland Waterloo Cup heat.
She has drawn to feature from the one trap here, while Dyna Dynamix is likely to be sighted doing his best work at the business end for Cole.
As expected, it was the warmly-supported Blazin' Carter who won the Hatrick Waterloo Cup heat for Cole.
He'll jump from the seven trap in Sunday's $35,000 527m final, from where he must positioned himself handy to the early pace going into the first turn.
Roberts produced Quistis Bale to also book a place in Sunday's final when she made a slick start from trap six to chase after Blazin' Carter, resulting in her three length second placing to him.
She has been provided with the ace trap to leap from on Sunday.
Cole trekked up to Manukau last Sunday and qualified Bigtime Lily via her 6.75 length second placing in the 527m heat, behind the warm Waterloo Cup favourite Pinny Mack.
She must step away smartly from trap eight in the decider.
Cole mentored the now retired classy greyhound Bigtime Paddy to victory in last year's Waterloo Cup final.
She'll be hoping for a repeat result on Sunday (Race 10, 3.54pm).
