Auckland Cup Day Preview
AUCKLAND CUP DAY 2021
The 2021 edition of the Auckland Cup and Railway Sprint Finals have all of the star power from both sides of Cook Strait.
Auckland Cup Final Group 1
1 DRINK SHOEYS. PETER FERGUSON.
Absolutely incredible time of 29.88 posted in the heat from box 3. He has really come of age lately and seems to improve every start. He has won 8 of 12 New Zealand starts to date, with a second to the track record runner Federal Morgan at Manawatu. Last weeks heat win was only his second race day run at Auckland. He Is two from two in New Zealand from the ace draw albeit both came at Cambridge. Huge Chance to take this out if he can perform similarly to last week.
2 LA ROCHELLE. JASON DUNN.
Superb front running display to take out her heat in 30.25. From 19 starts to date she has only been out of the top three once. Box two should suit as she is 4 from 4 out of the inside traps. She recently ran a career best 30.02 at Addington, before taking her heat last week from box 5. Her best chance lies with her out jumping Drink Shoeys.
3 OPAWA TRAVIS. PHIL GREEN.
Huge accomplishment from him to make this race. His last four runs have been super, a 30.26 demolition of a Class 3 field, followed by a third to Drink Shoeys and a 25.49 victory at Cambridge, before last week’s second from near the back to La Rochelle. This race is by far his toughest test and a placing may seem best with a cleaner beginning.
4 RIVALRIES. PHIL GREEN.
One of two in the final for Phil Green. His second in last week’s heat behind Drink Shoeys was very game and his time was very close to those of Leonard Bale and La Rochelle. His box stats from the middle boxes are of concern, although he has won twice from box 4.
5 ZIPPING SHELDON. CRAIG ROBERTS.
A long way from Federal Morgan last weekend on his track debut. Has run a 29.64 at Addington near the end of last year, suggesting he has a huge motor. This box will not be ideal on Sunday as he performs better closer to the rail. Looks to have a lot of potential, but will need all favours here.
6 LEONARD BALE. CRAIG ROBERTS.
Won it off the lids from box 4 last weekend stopping the clock at 30.22. His middle sectional of 15.28 was on par with Morgan and faster than Drink Shoeys. Winner of last year’s NZ Derby at Cambridge and the Waterloo Cup at this venue. Definite threat with an unhindered beginning.
7 KNOW KEEPER. GARY CLEEVE
Very exciting greyhound. His black book second behind Leonard Bale coming from last was something special. Has run a 29.85 at Addington this year. His beginnings are a worry and this is not a field that you want to be giving a start to. He is 2 from 2 off box 7 and will be running into it late once again.
8 FEDERAL MORGAN. LISA COLE
A once-in-a-decade type talent. His 29.98 victory on track debut was phenomenal. Jumps well, posts great middle and run home sectionals, and is close to the complete package. To break Little Mother’s Manawatu track record by such a margin was astounding. Morgan has only lost once in New Zealand, that being to Leonard Bale at Addington. He looms as a big chance, despite this being his toughest test to date.
Qualified Pet Services Railway Sprint Final. Group 1
1 OAKMONT. DANIEL LANE
Bold second behind Trojan Hoarse in her heat. Gets a very serviceable draw where she is 3 from 3 in her career. She has been in the money 30 out of 50 starts, and has done most of her racing in Class 5. She has the potential to run in the money, but will need to take a flyer to win.
2 BIG TIME FAIRY. LISA COLE
Super wee bitch who races at around 23 kilograms. Was very good from box one in her heat winning in the slowest time of 18.38. Sunday’s run was her first look on the track and she will definitely derive benefit from it. She won last year’s Dash For Cash final at Whanganui and it wouldn’t be the first time she has upset Trojan Hoarse. She is a good winning chance with a trademark lightning beginning.
3 SPORTS MODE. PETER FERGUSON
Came close to running down Fairy on Sunday from box 5. She has been very good of late, winning two back at Auckland in a 18.42. Has spent more of her career sprinting at Cambridge, but has been in the top three 10 out of 11 times over the 318 meters at Auckland. Deserves her finals spot and with the right run could pop into the money once again.
4 BIGTIME JONIE. LISA COLE
Posted the fastest heat victory on Sunday with 18.25 from the ace. Can perform from any draw although he can be an unreliable beginner. Definitely has the speed and a strong run home which will put him in good stead to take the race out. Could present a problem for Trojan Hoarse if he was to begin well.
5 BUDDY BOOM. JARED UDY & DENISE COTTAM
One of the best performed sprinters of the last decade. Won this race last year from box 8 and is still putting in competitive performances. Ran a stellar second, from box 8, to Jonie in the fastest heat. Getting close to $100,000 in the bank which is something special from a dog who has only won one middle distance race in his career. He cannot be discounted.
6 NANGAR HURRICANE. PETER FERGUSON
Got a nice run through to second in his heat behind Archie John Hill. His run home was very smart as he got to within two lengths of the winner. With a better beginning he could be one to look out for at odds. Has yet to win from box 6 but his box 7 and 8 stats are very good.
7 TROJAN HOARSE. LISA COLE
Has made the transition from middle distance to sprinting as good as any. Won last year’s Galaxy in spectacular fashion, and at well over four years of age he just keeps performing at a high level. Box seven does not particularly suit and there’s some very quick dogs inside him. He will need to do everything right to win, but win lose or draw he is a potential Hall of Famer with $230,000 in the bank.
8 ARCHIE JOHN HILL. JEAN & DAVID FAHEY
Responded well to having his best box draw in 3 Auckland starts with a super all-of-the-way 18.27 victory. His box 8 statistics are good and Trojan Hoarse could give him a cart into the race. He will still have to be on his game, and a beginning like last Sunday would not hurt his chances.
The Highlights Don’t Stop There
The undercard with boosted stakes is also full of genuine talent as the Misty Anna Trophy, Auckland Stayers Cup, and Invitation Stakes lead up to the dual Group Ones. The Misty Anna trophy has all the makings of a group race itself with eight talented bitches such as Whanganui Cup winner Big Time Lantao, NZ Breeders victor Big Time Kaylee, and Cup reserve Zipping Barty.
Shaynee is understandably the greyhound to beat in the Auckland Stayers Cup after her dominant recent performances at Whanganui and Manawatu.
The Invitation Stakes features a number of greyhounds who narrowly missed a spot in the Auckland Cup final. Jilliby Litsa is one of two girls along with kennel mate Big Time Pluto taking on the boys. From box 8, the Spion Rose winner looks to be a definite chance.
Zipping Hewitt for Glennis Farrell takes his place in the middle of the pack on the back of an encouraging run last week which saw him make the reserves for the Cup final. Thrilling Bruce for Emma Potts should enjoy being closer to the rail, provided he can avoid Bronski Beat who will look to begin on terms this week from the ace.
Southern raiders Best Ball, Holy Grail, and Uthor Bale are all talented, with the latter catching the eye with his determined run last week after being checked back to last.
