Derby night at Hatrick

Feature racing returns to Hatrick this evening with the running of the Laser Plumbing Wanganui Derby and the Absolutely Electrical Wanganui Oaks.

Both of these Restricted Age Classic 520m races carry a $7,000 stake.

It is fair to say that it will be a bittersweet return to racing for the classy chaser Thrilling Boris in the Wanganui Derby (Race 5).

The Karen Walsh-trained greyhound had received a direct invitation to contest a heat for the world's richest greyhound race, the Melbourne Cup, thanks to his brilliant Manukau Stadium Waterloo Cup victory last September.

'Kennel cough' then intervened, meaning Thrilling Boris had to abandon his quest for the A$600,000 event, which will be decided on Sandown Park tonight.

Thrilling Boris, who has flown around the 520m trip here in 29.84s, is expected to account for his rivals here.

His biggest dangers appear to be the Lisa Ahern-trained contenders Frappucino, Spare Some Time and Bigtime Jason, while Cawbourne Cooks is provided with swooping claims from the eight-trap here for his trainer Matt Roberts.

The Wanganui Oaks (Race 4) is a much more even looking affair.

Walsh also has a sound looking prospect lining up here with Thrilling Flo, who was a 30.11s winner, in her only previous visit to Hatrick.

Angela Turnwald adds a fair amount of intrigue to this feature with Funky Town.

She is making her track debut this evening, bringing solid Manawatu open class 457m form across from there.

Ahern again has a strong hand in this event.

Chai Latte looks to be her leading chance, while Americano, who tends to struggle over 520m, produced her best effort over this trip when finishing a sound C3/4 520m second last Friday.

Her other pair of runners here - Bigtime Rise and Bigtime Beaty - own potential, however both are facing their toughest career test in this event.