Fast paced chasing action is assured this evening at the Hatrick Raceway as eight high class greyhounds will compete in greyhound racings' exciting new format, the $60,000 Formpro Amazing Chase.
Two greyhounds will match race each other in four explosive head-to-head dashes over 520m.
They are not only racing against each other, but more importantly the clock, after the eight greyhounds lining up came through an intriguing qualifying period held on the tracks at Hatrick, Addington and Manukau.
Times is the critical factor for these canine athletes, as the overall winner will be declared on the greyhound who returns the swiftest 520m time from the four match races.
The match race chasing action starts with the dispatch of the first pair of greyhounds at 7.05pm.
The remaining three match ups follow at seven minute intervals.
All odd numbered greyhound will leap from Trap 1, while the even numbers will be sighted exiting from Trap 3.
A graphic illustration of the competitiveness of this racing format was provided during last year's inaugural running of the Amazing Chase.
The winning result went down to the final match up, which resulted in the winner of that race prevailing overall by just 100th of a second.
There was only another 100th of a second back to the third placed greyhound.
The three greyhounds involved contested three separate race matches.
Here's a look at this evening's four mouth watering match-ups.
Match 1: Dyna Weslyn v Dyna Dave. This is a grudge paw wrestle between a pair of Craig Roberts, Canterbury-trained class acts.
"I expect Dyna Dave with his pace and strength to be too strong," said Roberts about the recent Addington 520m track record holder.
Match 2: Pinny Mack v Cawbourne Krusty. This match as an unknown factor about it as Pinny Mack, a former West Australian who owns early sheer pace, qualified in his NZ debut with a swift Manukau 527m.
"He's spot on – I expect him to fly," confirmed trainer Steve Clark.
Cawbourne Krusty was the recent sharp NZ Futurity winner in 29.8s at Hatrick.
"I'm hoping Krusty's track experience will carry her through," said her conditioner Matt Roberts.
Match 3: Dyna Elwyn v Bigtime Paddy. A cracker of a match with the new Addington 520m track record holder (29.67s) taking on the super star local Bigtime Paddy.
"Elwyn has the talent to run a swift 520m as we saw at Addington," suggested Craig Roberts.
"Paddy has done everything right lately and he is set for a massive effort," said Brendon Cole.
Match 4: Ask King Jeff v Nature's Gent. Ask King Jeff has been improving with each outing, while the NZ Cup winner Nature's Gent delivered a searing Manukau 527m trial last Sunday.
"I expect Jeff to continue to improve on Friday," said Cole.
"Nature's Gent is ideally suited to this race format – he's prepped to deliver a quick 520m," commented Paul Freeman.
The Amazing Chase is also a Greyhound Racing NZ charity generator and the beneficiary from this evening's activities is Jigsaw Wanganui.
There has been $3,300 raised through the $100 donations of the connections from the original 33 nominated Amazing Chase greyhounds.
Numerous on-course fund raising events will be held during the evening.
Don't miss the red hot chasing action, the first race will be released from the 305m traps at 4.31pm.