Brooklyn Hope a hot favourite

The Wellington Greyhound Club occupies the Hatrick Raceway over the next two Friday evenings.

Their feature event is the time-honoured Group 2 Brownzy Sports Bar New Zealand Futurity, where six cut-throat 520m heats this evening will decide the eight classic-aged greyhounds who will return to contest next week's $12,600 final.

Here's a look at some of the leading contenders in each of those heats.

Heat 1, Race 2: Brooklyn Hope is from a potent Group race-winning kennel who owns sufficient early pace to attempt to lead them throughout.

Homebush Violet, who although is out graded in this heat, has drawn to upset them. And Opawa Swede is an exciting up and coming chaser.

Heat 2, Race 4: New Zealand Derby winner Spitfire Osti has drawn kindly in the ace trap here as he embarks on another Group race campaign.

Thrilling Logic delivered a very slick 25.74 second 520m trial gallop on this track last Friday

The on-the-pace racing style that the NZ Derby finalist Ciri Rioli owns will suit racing on this track.

Heat 3, Race 6: Backyard Bully has struck solid form at precisely the right time, as seen by his bold second placing in last Monday's $11,000 457m feature in Palmerston North.

The northern trained Kiwi Girl owns enough early pace to make things interesting for a long way here.

And the NZ Derby finalists Charlie's Choice and Ostapchuck are both capable of being able to make their presence felt here.

Heat 4, Race 8: Speed Legend has drawn to swoop on them from the eight trap after helping himself to a pair of stylish 520m and 457m wins over the last week.

Jinja Power is likely to power home over the concluding stages here.

Renee Ranger was the runner up in the NZ Derby and he has been kept fresh since then. And Pedro's First must be respected here simply because he holds an open class grading.

Heat 5, Race 9: Thrilling Glory is a promising chaser who is still at the improving stage.

The northern prepared Cawbourne Jock owns immense potential, while NZ Oaks finalist Fancy Dasher brings a class edge over her rivals into this heat.

Heat 6, Race 11: Fancy Jill has drawn the same trap (eight) from where she strongly won the recent NZ Oaks from.

Another NZ Oaks finalist Victorious Gem trialled stylishly over 520m here last Friday and her ability to race on the pace makes her strong candidate here. And watch for Indi Rhode to be sighted powering home late.