Hatrick Raceway hosts NZ Futurity heats for greyhounds

The Group 1 chasing action continues at the Hatrick Raceway this evening where four compelling 520m heats will be decide the finalists for next Friday's $27,465 New Zealand Futurity.

This series brings together numerous greyhounds who contested the recent NZ Derby (male) and NZ Oaks (female) series, and it will require a top two heat placing to book a final field position.

The Craig Roberts, Canterbury-prepared Auckland Cup winner Dirk Bale headlines the first heat (Race 6).

He was run down late by the high flying Bigtime Paddy in last Friday's main 520m event.
As expected the powerful Lisa Cole kennels is heavily represented in all heats.

She'll be looking towards Bigtime Mia and Bigtime Caleb to advance to next Friday.

Kia Tere will return here for his Canterbury conditioners Dave and Jean Fahey as the winner of his only Hatrick 520m race.

Heat two (Race 7) presents an clash between the inform Lisa Cole prepared dual Group 1 winning chaser Bigtime Paddy and last week's NZ Oaks runner up Cawbourne Krusty from the Matt Roberts kennels.

Craig Roberts produced Dyna Dave to win in a quick Addington 520m time last week.
No Time Toulouse (Cole) and Opawa Rooster (Fahey's) are capable of featuring in this heat.

Onto Heat three (Race 8), which presents an intriguing looking clash between the Fahey-prepared Shallay Pallay and the strong Avenger Bale for Craig Roberts.

Cole will line up last week's NZ Oaks finalist Bigtime Lily, along with Bigtime Phantom and Bigtime Eve.

She will also present the strong looking recently imported Australian greyhound Ask King Jeff for his New Zealand debut outing here.

The final heat (Race 9) has a rather even look to it.

Cole will load away Me Jane into the one trap, while Bigtime Levi can be expected to be sighted charging home at the business end here.

Bigtime Tears owns sufficient early pace to make things interesting for a long way.

Veteran conditioner Ray Adcock is bringing his exciting chasing prospect Lord Louie north from his Canterbury kennels after his outstanding last start Forbury Park 545m win.

The Marcie Flipp-trained Idol Tom is another who holds sound qualifying claims.

It'll be raining bonus dollars for every Friday Hatrick race throughout May.

The TAB will inject an additional $1,000 into all First 4 pools during the month.