Greyhound racing: Trainers eye Wellington Cup

Manawatu-trained greyhounds dominate the field for tonight's $21,000 Wellington Cup at Hatrick, with seven of the runners being prepared just down the highway.

Marton trainer Matt Roberts produced two of the three 520m heat winners last week with Cawbourne Brick (30.08 seconds) and Lonesome Nitro (30.13s) both prevailing.

The only "outsider" engaged in this Group 1 event is the northern Karen Walsh-mentored Thrilling Georga, who won her heat in 30.25s.

Both the Roberts-trained heat winners won from the eight-trap and at 8.04pm (Race 8) both will be loaded away into the widest traps.

"Brick surprised me with his home turn run, which shows me he is getting stronger after recent racing and gaining more experience," said Roberts about his charge after his pace-making heat win.

"Nitro has done everything right at Hatrick [five wins from five races].

"He handles himself really good there and he has great track sense. I feel he also has a touch of brilliance to him," Roberts added.

"Both greyhounds are all set for Friday."

Walsh is rapt with both the draw (trap-one) and the manner that Thrilling Georga has come through her heat assignment.

"She loves the fence, so I'm really pleased with her draw.

"I'm hoping that she will come out with them, hold the rail and then try to come underneath them.

"She's come through her heat great," advised Walsh about her lightly raced charge.

The powerful Lisa Ahern kennels in Palmerston North have qualified three finalists.

Mammy Brown tried to pinch an all-the-way heat win, however she was mowed down by 1.6 lengths when finishing third in the heat won by Thrilling Georga.

Her early pace is a great asset and she is likely to adopt those same tactics tonight.

It was remarkable effort by the inexperienced Winsome Jenny produced to make this final. In only her fifth career race, the former Aussie chaser was brave when rattling home late for her 4.75 length heat second to Lonesome Nitro.

It was a gutsy gallop by Really Clever to run his 6.25 length heat second behind Cawbourne Bright as he continues to regain race fitness following a serious injury.

"All three of our finalists slipped up the straight nicely at home this morning [Monday] and they are set for Friday," confirmed the trainer's partner Brendon Cole.

The remaining finalist is the Angela Turnwald prepared Coolabah Blue from Foxton, who also stepped up in class to claim his 6.75 length heat third place.