Heats will decide Cup runners

The majority of the nation's leading greyhounds will converge on the Hatrick Raceway this evening to contest heats for two Group races as the Wanganui club welcomes in the new racing season in style.

Four 520m heats will decide the finalists for the following Friday's Group 1 $21,000 First Security Wanganui Cup.

And the canine-staying athletes will contest two heats of the Group 2 $13,000 MTA Wanganui Stayers over the 755m journey.

The Craig Roberts-trained Dyna Vikkers finished last season with a rush, landing Group race victories.

He has been successful at the elite level at Hatrick and, accordingly, has been installed as a warm favourite on the TAB Futures book at $2.30 (option 997) to win the Wanganui Cup.

He is strongly favoured to take out the first Wanganui Cup heat (Race 7), especially after drawing the ace trap.

Roberts' son Matt prepares the only other greyhound being offered in single figures.

Cawbourne Crouch ($6) will contest the third cup heat (Race 9).

Northern trainer Steve Clark has mentored the past two Wanganui Cup winners.

He travels south with two contenders " Night Pearl ($26 Race 9) and the in-form Spud Missile ($18 Race 10).

The exciting Karen Walsh-trained Timmy Trumpet ($14 Race 10) faces his toughest career test after his recent, searing Cambridge 457m wins.

Other favoured contenders from the region includes Royal Runner ($18 Race 8) and Boston Heart ($21 Race 7), with both of them prepared by Angela Turnwald in Foxton.

Elsewhere, Shandell concluded last season easily rated as the best stayer in the country.

She takes her place in the first Wanganui Stayers heat (Race 5) for her conditioner Arch Lawrence. She is being offered at $2.40 (option 994).

Lawrence will have two contenders in the second heat (Race 6) with both Teemaria and 755m track specialist Little Teegan being quoted at $12.

Included in this heat is the presence of the exciting stayer Cawbourne Bright ($7) from the Matt Roberts kennels.

There are two other stayers, both in the first heat, who are offered in single figures.

Extreme Twist (Turnwald) and Who Dat Boy (Hayley Mullane) are both at 9.