Many of the usual high grade Hatrick Friday attendees are missing from action this evening as they head north to the Manukau Stadium to chase after final field positions for the $80,000 Plaster Board Auckland Cup (527m) or the $25,000 Railway Sprint (318m).
There has been four heats drawn forboth Group 1 events, meaning a heat finish in the first two placings is required to gain a race start in the following Sunday's pair of rich finals.
The kennels of the nation's leading trainer Lisa Cole nee Ahern is represented by a number of contenders in both series.
Absinthe Minded will contest the first Auckland Cup heat (Race 7) after his strong 527m second on the last occasion he raced at Manukau.
Timma Turtle (Race 8) caught the eye with his stylish 527m track debut second last Sunday, while the promising Mark's Boy (Race 9) would have benefited from his track debut outing last week.
Matt Roberts produced the recent Hatrick 520m winner Cawbourne Brick to run fourth in last year's Auckland Cup final and the strong chaser is returning to try to qualify for another final (Race 10).
Kennelmate Cawbourne Clover (Race 8) was also a finalist last year.
Paul Dozer (Race 9) looks like he has hit form at the right time for his Foxton trainer Angela Turnwald.
The 318m Railway Sprint heats promised to deliver cut throat short course action.
In the first heat (Race 3), Cole has the recent Manukau 318m winners Allegro Lass and Bigtime Ellie engaged.
The second heat (Race 4) has the Cole prepared Hatrick 305m track record holder Allegro Gun contesting it.
Other Hatrick Friday regulars who are also lining up in this heat includes Spelling Misteak (Turnwald) and Cawbourne Messa (Roberts).
The third Railway heat (Race 5) is dominated by central districts prepared sprinters.
Cole has last Sunday's Manukau 318m winner Effective Power contesting it while Roberts with Cawbourne Elpaso and Turnwald has Lover lining up. Young Whanganui trainer Kellie Gommans is trekking north with Stole Me Wallet.
Onto the final Railway heat (Race 6) where it is great to see veteran Whanganui trainer Freddy Kite heading north with his consistent Hatrick 305m sprinter Sedgebrook Babe. Others from the region engaged in this dash includes Kennel Boy (Turnwald), Daisy Lara (Cole) and Cawbourne Matty (Jake & Daze Bell).
