The first step to $25k

The quality Group 1 chasing action continues at Hatrick this evening where five competitive 520m heats will decide the finalists for next Friday's $25,000 The Rock 95.2FM NZ Futurity.

This is the race that brings together the male and female classic age greyhounds following their recent NZ Derby and NZ Oaks assignments.

Consequently the NZ Futurity is regarded as an extremely difficult classic race to win.

The first heat (Race 6) sees the Dave and Jean Fahey-trained Auckland Cup winner He's All Power lining up.

He holds solid looking qualifying claims. Kennelmate Bombs Falling was a recent NZ Derby finalist.

The powerful Lisa Cole kennels brought up a million dollars in stake earnings for the season last week.

She has the sharp chaser Spring Allegro engaged in this heat, plus the luckless NZ Oaks runner Bigtime Rise.

It is the same two trainers who look to hold the soundest looking qualifying prospects in the second heat (Race 7).

Mandy Junior was a strong last start Addington 520m winner for the Fahey's, while Mazu has drawn to feature.

The Cole contenders include Bigtime On Fire and Bigtime Power.

Holding the draw advantage here is the Matt Roberts-prepared Cawbourne Mezza, leaping from trap one.

The northern visitor Beltom has been presented with sound qualifying claims from the ace trap for Denis Schofield in the third heat (Race 8).

Opawa Brad and Fair Pippa are inform chasers for the Fahey's, while the strong Bigtime Bell is likely to be sighted charging home late for Cole.

The Cole-mentored Storm Warning was the recent NZ Derby winner and he has been in potent Hatrick 520m form since then.

He produced a stunning 29.80s 520m win last Friday. He has drawn nicely in heat four (Race 9).

Albie Punter is a dead set railer and she can nail her final field position for the Fahey's from there.

Opawa Brad's kennelmate Opawa Racer can provide some opposition to the favourites.

The final heat (Race 10) contains the exciting Fahey-trained youngster Vikings. They also have a sound back up prospect in Min Ho.

Cole will be looking towards Bigtime Jason and Bigtime Welldone to advance, while Schofield is bringing the in-form northern chaser Blazing Spirit south.