Crunch Time As NZ Cup Spots Go On The Line

IT'S crunch time for the leading Kiwi greyhounds with semi-finals to be raced for two-Group 1 finals at the Addington Raceway on Wednesday evening.

The leading event is the $100,000 New Zealand Cup with the first two finishers from the four 520m semis advancing to the November 10 final.

FIELDS AND FORM ADDINGTON WEDNESDAY

It is a week where the New Zealand racing focus firmly centres on Christchurch City with the three-racing codes all staging their respective New Zealand Cups.

Former New South Wales chaser Federal Infrared (pictured) has been installed as the equal cup favourite following her stunning 30.16s heat win last week.

The daughter of Aussie Infrared and Flo Jo Focus has been low-flying since she crossed the Tasman and entered the powerful Lisa Cole kennels, stylishly winning 17 of her 20 races. 

Federal Infrared will line-up in the third semi (race 6) after she demolished her heat rivals by a comfortable seven-length margin.

FEDERAL INFRARED headlines a Lisa Cole kennel quinella in the 30K Manawatu Cup, with MUSTANG CHARLIE running into second. pic.twitter.com/5LquwQ1X2x

— TAB Racing (@TAB_Racing) October 14, 2022

The heat minor place-getters behind her face her again.

Opawa Warrior for Dave and Jean Fahey and the northern Lisa and Tracey Craik prepared Georgia's Girl both own sufficient early pace to at least match the favourite during the initial rush for positions.

The Fahey's have mentored nine previous NZ Cup winners and they prepare the other equal cup favourite Opawa Superstar. Last year's cup third place-getter showed he is up to the task as seen by his bold 30.19s heat win. 

He contests the first semi (race 1) where he faces the Craig Roberts trained Addington 520m specialist Talbingo Bale. Opawa Conan is likely to relish drawing the ace trap in this semi for his local conditioner Bruce Dann, while Majestic Legend is a likely improver for northern trainer Peter Ferguson.

An improved performance can be expected from another Cole runner Mustang Charlie in the second semi (race 2). He didn't finish off his heat effort as strongly as expected, however he does own slick midrace sectionals.

Consider Kaw Liga (Gary & Sandra Fredrickson), Chase Me Down (Ferguson) and the 30.42s heat winner Calculated Risk (Ashely Bradshaw) as other contenders in this semi.

The final semi (race 7) presents an intriguing clash between the Fahey trained 30.28s heat winner Opawa Dragon and the current NZ Oaks title holder Charlotte Lu from the inform Tony Hart kennels. She only yielded late to Opawa Superstar in her heat    

Hometown Hero is another Cole representative in this semi and he is a likely improver from his track debut heat fourth placed effort.

The Faheys also hold the ace-card for the $30,000 Galaxy Sprint semis following the sharp heat best 17.01s 295m dash that Opawa Ryder delivered. He has drawn to serve up a repeat dose in the third semi (race 8).

Roberts presented Levi Bale to run a slashing 17.03s heat sprint and he will be warmly supported in the final semi (race 9).

The Fredrickson's travelled south with Ritza Alert who produced a strong 17.06s track debut heat win from the one-trap. He will exit from that trap in the second semi (race 4).   

His clash with the 17.28s heat winner Spot Lu is likely to be a cracker as Hart will load her away into trap-eight, from where she is presented with swooping claims.

The stayers also feature on the card with a pair of heats for their $30,000 NZ Stayers Cup event over the 732m journey.

Star Kiwi stayer Know Keeper has had his outstanding staying record a tad blemished lately purely owing to traffic impeded races. Garry Cleeve will have him cherry ripe for his heat assignment (race 10).

Adding intrigue to this heat is the presence of the Roberts prepared former classy Victorian stayer Rohan Bale.  He impressed when winning his NZ debut 520m race at Addington, then he endured a traffic interrupted NZ Cup heat outing last week.

Contesting the first stayers heat (race 5) is the strong last start Manawatu 720m feature winner Thrilling Rogue. Trainer Karen Walsh will have him prepped to deliver another blinder.

Likely to challenge him is another Roberts mentored stayer Raja Bale, while the Fahey's have their charge Centurion ticking over sweetly at the moment. 

Photo credit Dave Robbie