Hatrick Raceway PHOTO/FILE
High quality chasing action will be seen at Hatrick tonight, with two group races on the programme.
The first Group 1 event for the new New Zealand season is the $21,000 First Security Wanganui Cup.
Canterbury trainer Craig Roberts has Dyna Vikkers really flying at the moment.
He was sublime in the manner in which he cruised through his Wanganui Cup heat, completing his 520m assignment in a slick 29.96s.
"Dyna was fresh going into Friday. That outing would have done him the world of good," said Roberts.
"I would expect him to be handy going into the first turn [from box 2] and from there he can use his strength."
Northern trainer Denis Schofield applied the finishing touches to his trio of Wanganui Cup qualifiers, producing two heat winners.
Untraceable had effectively put the result of his heat out of the reach of his rivals when rounding the first turn.
He was never going to be challenged from there and scampered away for his 30.24s win, scoring by a comfortable four-length margin.
"I was ready rapt with his heat run and even more rapt with his box draw [No1]," said Schofield.
"I reckon it will be a terrific race, more like a shoot-out between Untraceable and Dyna Vikkers."
Spanish Fancy was engaged in a pacemaking paw-wrestle in her heat before prevailing by a three-quarter length margin over a fresh-up Winsome Jenny and stopping the clock in 30.66s.
Completing the Schofield kennel representation is Gold Class, who gallantly chased home Dyna Vikkers, eight lengths behind him.
Matt Roberts qualified Lonesome Nitro who quickly seized the early race lead after leaping from the ace trap to deliver his free-wheeling 30.09s heat win.
"He loves it there [Hatrick] and I reckon he's going to add to a real competitive final," Roberts said.
Local representation in the Cup will be provided by the father and daughter combination of Gary Ross and Sarah Voyce, who produced Nitro Mary to run a 4.5 length second behind Untraceable in her heat.
"We can't believe she qualified, although her draw [box 7] is against her," said Voyce.
"She bounces back well and hopefully she'll jump and cross them."
Young northern trainers James Black and Alisha Steele produced Joe Joe to qualify when he ran a 7.25 length second to Lonesome Nitro.
As mentioned, Winsome Jenny from the powerful Lisa Ahern kennels, qualified for the final via her sound fresh-up effort.
She is a likely improver after having previously raced back in May.
It promises to be a cracking 755m final for the $13,000 MTA Wanganui Stayers at Group 2 level.
Shandell was all class in qualifying when she effortlessly tore apart her rivals, giving them a 12-length mauling and posting 44.72s for her trainer Arch Lawrence.
The multiple black type winner flicked on her turbo chargers when heading down the back straight the last time.
Lawrence is a renown conditioner of the staying canine athletes and he has qualified two other finalists.
He trained Little Teegan for victory in the last two editions of this race. She is again a contender after she extended strongly to claim her 5.5 length second behind Cawbourne Bright.
And diving late to snatch the last qualifying position was Shandell's litter sister Teemaria.
"Shandell is perfect. I thought it was all over for the others when I saw her going into the first turn," said Lawrence.
"I'm rapt to get Little Teegan into the final. I certainly can't discount her claims here and Teemaria had to do a lot of work so I thought she was brave."
Matt Roberts has the talented Cawbourne Bright in current career best form after she strode clear to secure her 45.07s heat win.
"I would like to see Cawbourne Bright positioned up in front of Shandell. She is jumping out of her skin since last Friday," said Roberts, who has also qualified Cawbourne Miami, who wound up 13.25 lengths behind Shandell.
Extreme Twist has been a consistent stayer for his trainer Angela Turnwald.
He gets another lick at a Group 2 final after he led the vain chase behind the disappearing Shandell in the heat.