Chasing glory at prestigious racing event

It's an afternoon meeting at the Hatrick Raceway today, with the first to be released by the starter at 12:37pm. The meeting features six heats for the Group 1 New Zealand Breeders Stakes over 520m, with the $26,000 final being decided next Friday evening.

It is the six heat winners, plus the fastest two second placed finishers, who will return for the final.

This series sees a wide range of quality classic aged chasers from around the country seeking the glory attached to this prestigious race.

Here's a quick run down on some of the leading contenders with their Futures market (winner of the final) quotes:

Heat 1, race 3: Look no further than the appropriately named Speed Legend ($3.50) here after his last pair of slippery sub 29.50 second wins on this track.

There is nothing else in this which can crack the 30-second barrier, although Know Class ($12) is likely to be sighted charging home late.

Heat 2, race 4: Jetsun Flame ($31) stylishly won the Auckland Oaks at Manukau on Sunday and she has drawn to feature here.

Ostapchuck ($51) has been striking early traffic problems lately. He can give them something to chase by adopting a pace-making role here.

Heat 3, race 5: Expect the inside drawn pair of Kiwi Girl ($16) and Bumpa Sticker ($31) to dominate this heat by contesting the pace throughout in this heat.

Heat 4, race 6: The NZ futurity winner on this track Bone Nerd ($26) has drawn ideally here to book himself another Group race finals possie.

Opawa Swede ($21) is likely to be sighted doing his best work at the business end here.

Heat 5, race 7: This is probably the most even of the heats.

If Thrilling Logic ($31) is sighted lurking anywhere near the pace down the back straight, then watch for him to blaze on past them.

Backyard Bully ($26) is much better than what his current form indicates, while Homebush Violet ($31) owns the ability to set up the early pace.

Heat 6, race 8: A couple of lower graded, up and coming chasers can feature here.

Olympic Medal ($26) is heading directly to the open class chasing ranks as is Thrilling Sonic ($21).