Manukau on trainers minds

A valued Group 1 title is a distinct possibility for the Hatrick Raceway's leading greyhound trainer Lisa Cole (nee Ahern) at the Manukau Stadium on Sunday.

Cole has qualified two sprinters for the $25,000 Railway Sprint (Race 11), while local trainer Freddy Kite, along with regular Hatrick conditioner Angela Turnwald, are both represented by a finalist.

Turnwald also has a finalist in the $80,000 Plasterboard Ltd Auckland Cup (Race 9) also at Group 1 level.

It was the Cole-prepared current Hatrick 305m track record holder Allegro Gun who clocked the fastest of the four 318m heat times when he dashed through his assignment in 18.39s.

Natural improvement from this sprinter can be expected following his sharp track debut appearance.

Kennelmate Allegro Lass, who has won previous Hatrick 305m feature sprints, gamely chased home December's Hatrick Group 2 305m Dash For Cash winner My Girl Chloe.

It was a fantastic effort by the 81-year old trainer Kite to qualify his ultra consistent Hatrick Friday evening sprinter Sedgebrook Babe for Sunday's final.

She also can be expected to be improved following her bold track debut heat second placing effort.

Spelling Misteak gamely chased home Allegro Gun to qualify for Turnwald.

His stakes earning claim for Sunday was enhanced when this noted railer drew the one-trap for the final.

Turnwald produced Paul Dozer to run second in his 527m Auckland Cup heat.

It was a solid effort by him when sighted racing handy to the pace throughout.

He must adopt those same tactics on Sunday if he's going to feature at the business end.

The warm favourites for the Group 1 finals is the sharp Addington sprinter Swimming Goat for the Railway, while January's emphatic Hatrick Classic Group 1 520m winner Thrilling Boris dominates the Auckland Cup market.

Meanwhile this evening's Hatrick meeting sees an even, competitive looking C2/3 field being the main 520m event (Race 10).

Cawbourne Ruby owns early pace and using that asset can see this Matt Roberts-trained chaser attempting to lead her rivals all-the-way.

She is likely to be hotly challenged by runners from the Cole kennels.

Included is Our Gypsy, Bigtime Welldone and Bigtime Bakagain.

The Turnwald prepared Mr. Maize is nicely boxed away in trap two, while Nitehawk Rose has been delivering sound recent races for the Wanganui club president Bill Hodgson.