Fascinating Field For Rich Waterloo Cup

FASCINATING is the best way to describe the final field for Sunday's running of the time-honored $30,000 Waterloo Cup field at the Manukau Stadium.

Four heats, held at four different venues produced what can be considered as a thought provoking final line-up.

That reflects to history of the event, which was first contested in 1878.

The exciting young chasing prospect Portland Berty kicked-started the heats at Cambridge last Thursday, when, after he stalked the pace setting Bigtime Cooper, extended stylishly to claim the 457m heat in a handy 25.49s for his trainers Lisa and Tracey Craik. 

Bigtime Copper pressed on stoutly for his second 1.75 lengths behind and he became the first of what turned into four Waterloo Cup finalists for Lisa Cole.

The qualifying action moved south to the Addington Raceway Thursday evening which saw the Steve and Bonnie Evans prepared Goldstar Mauney book his final field position when he delivered an astounding effort.

Goldstar Mauney was a clear last going into the first turn. However, he received a dream rails racing passage which he seized on to improve his field position going down the back straight.

Race favourite Leonard Bale took over the race lead entering the  final turn, however the Craig Roberts trained recent NZ Derby winner wasn't able to withstand Goldstar Mauney's punishing finish, yielding to him by a half-length margin in a 520m event that was completed in 30.49s.

Friday evening saw the Hatrick hosted heat which was expected to be dominated by Lisa Cole mentored chasers. And so it proved, although not exactly with her more favoured contenders.

As expected Big Time Brie and Big Time Lantao quickly exited the 520m traps. They set up a solid tempo and it appeared it was only a case which of the pair was going to receive the judge's call.

Big Time Anton had other thoughts and he sliced into the pace-making pair race lead to ultimately take control over the later stages to stylishly record his 30.32s heat win.

After settling back in field, it was Big Time Harley who unleashed a powerful finish which carried him into to runner-up possie a length astern.

Onto the Manukau Stadium on Sunday and Cole scratched her trap-one drawn NZ Oaks winner Big Time Elsa which allowed her first reserve kennelmate Nova Willow (pictured) to slot away into the ace-trap.

It was an invitation that she gleefully accepted when, after settling midfield on the rail which she never left, she punched home strongly to nail the pace-making Emma Potts prepared Ginny Weasley by 1.75 lengths, recording 30.69s for her 527m assignment.