Visitors set pace for cup semis

Hatrick Raceway PHOTO/FILE

The quality greyhound action continues at Hatrick Raceway tonight where the semifinal rounds for the Group 1 $37,000 www.racingsdogs.co.nz Spion Rose Cup will be decided over 520m.

And the straight out speed merchants will contest their semifinals for the $13,000 Brad Canty Dash For Cash over 295m at Group 2 level.

The first two greyhounds to finish in each semi will earn the right to contest next Friday's rich finals.

Northern trainer Steve Clark produced the talented chasers Piggy Back and Riley's Mate to clock the equal fastest Spion Rose times from last Friday's heats.

Both greyhounds posted swift 29.84 second gallops.

Here is a rundown on some of the leading semifinal contenders:

Spion Rose Semifinal 1, Race 7:

Piggy Back impressed when delivering his dominant heat win. He has drawn to serve up a repeat dose tonight.

Katcha Fire will enjoy racing along the rail from the ace trap.

It is a mystery how NZ Cup winner Opawa Swede could only manage to run seventh in his heat. Don't dismiss his claims lightly.

Jannik ($31) was bold when he finished second in his heat when making his track debut and will have benefited from that outing.

Semifinal 2, Race 8:

Riley's Mate dictated the pace when leading his heat rivals all the way and he can do likewise tonight.

Brighton Bullet strongly punched home when going under by three-quarters of a length to Piggy Back.

Boston Chanel should hold the rail from trap one after she scraped into the semis.

Semifinal 3, Race 9:

Riggs caught the eye in the strong manner he won his heat in 30.04s. Speed Legend is a regular attendee in Group races and he can book himself another berth while Fancy Dasher is always up with the pace.

Semifinal 4, Race 10:

Aqua Wolf was bold in nailing his track debut in a 30.20s win. Fancy Tip took the race to Aqua Wolf for a fair way until peaking late.

Just Jordana owns sufficient early pace to make things interesting. On the other hand, Osti's Pursuit is expected to be sighted doing his best work at the business end.

The leading Dash For Cash semifinal prospects are Semi 1, Race 3: Sir Richie, Fiery Dancer and Guru Goose. Semifinal 2, Race 4: Need To Chill, Leadfoot Lenny and Winning Knocka.