Pair checking track ahead of Futurity

INTEREST is added to this evening's open class 520m event at Hatrick with the presence of two handy northern-mentored greyhounds contesting it.

The Steve Clark-trained pair of Tee Kay Yapper and Spud Missile are checking out the Wanganui circuit in the Kennan Concrete C4/5 (Race 9, 8.20pm) with a view of returning to contest the $21,000 New Zealand Futurity, which will be decided at Group 1 level here next month.

Tee Kay Yapper has been mixing his recent northern race distances.

The key to his claim in tonight's race was his bold third in the recent New Zealand Derby final over 457m at Cambridge.

Spud Missile also contested the NZ Derby final where he finished a luckless fifth.

He has previously raced at Hatrick, landing a win and a third placing over 520m.

Tee Kay Yapper will be making his track debut.

Cawbourne Brick, from the in-form Matt Roberts, Marton based kennels, is the likely race favourite.

He slipped around the 520m trip here two races ago in a swift 29.97 seconds.

Going close to that time tonight can see him prevailing again.

Expect a competitive race from the Lisa Ahern-prepared Kissing Gwyneth here.

She makes her return to Hatrick after having bombed the start when racing in her New Zealand Oaks heat at Addington.

Her kennel mate Smash Allegro, although having recently downgraded, has drawn to contest the early pace from the ace trap, while another Ahern-trained runner Check The Mail is likely to be sighted rattling home late here.

It is a quick back-up for the Wanganui club with racing being held at Hatrick again on Monday afternoon - the first race being dispatched at 1pm.

Again the open class 520m chasers will be the feature event where an even stronger field than tonight's race will contest The Dogzone C4/5 (Race 10, 3.40pm).

Group 1 racing returns to Hatrick next Friday night when the $21,000 Wanganui Distance final will be held over the extreme 755m journey.

Heading the nominations are the proven Arch Lawrence-trained stayers Shandell and Teemaria.

Angela Turnwald will line up the promising stayers Big Red Chev and Extreme Twist.