50th Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar Heat Preview
Heat 1
- Nighthawk Wish. D Roberts.
Slots into the cherry again after a decent third behind Student Loan last start over the 732 meters. Seems more suited to distance racing and her mother won over 700 at Whanganui. The draw here should aid her chances of being able to qualify as it is the weaker of the two heats. Can grind out a top-four spot but will need to be handy early.
- Thea Who. M Prangley.
Racing in career best form. Her win two back at Cambridge over the 650 meters was her best to date. May have preferred and outside box as she likes to use a bit of the track. Looked to have more to offer at the end of her latest races suggesting she could cop the extreme distance.
- Mayhem Made. A Bradshaw.
Another southern raider who has only been fair in recent racing. Her one placing from ten distance races suggests she is likely to struggle here against this field. Box three record wise is her best, and maybe she can put herself in the race and kick on over the longest New Zealand distance of 779 meters.
- Hairpin Trigger. J & D Fahey.
Closed out best in her Kingston Cup heat victory before failing to fire in the final. Won a 520 meter race last week after jumping handy to the pace. Looks a danger in this and has the credentials to take this heat out and potentially run a race in the final.
- Little Teegs. A Lawrence.
Racing in much-improved form lately and her last start win over the Cambridge 650 meters proved she could be a chance in this. The longer distance at Auckland may test her but a lot of dogs here are in the same boat. Drawing the middle is probably not to her liking either.
- Black Stockings. A Bradshaw.
She has won six distance races but nothing past 700 meters. Her two seconds over the extreme distance could have easily been wins. Will have to get handy or lead here to be any threat for the win. Would still be considered a good chance to make the final.
- Fine Intention. G & S Fredrickson.
Ran up to 700 meters in Australia. Mondays determined second behind Bronski Beat was full of merit considering it was his first distance run since crossing the ditch. He was sticking on well at the finish and could be the surprise packet of the heats.
- Thrilling Amelia. K Walsh
Talented bitch but has only won once from 18 distance starts. Her third over her only attempt at 779 meters was 9 lengths behind Shaynee in a field of 5 back in March. Would have to lift considerably here.
Heat 2
- Bad Bro Bad. S Codlin.
Upset them three back from this box at Cambridge in a decent time. Last two runs have been only fair, but has run this track and distance when second to Shaynee. Should appreciate the rails draw and would have to be a top four prospect.
- Claws In Leo. D Roberts.
In career-best form and is running out his races well. Could potentially lead in this but has yet to see the track. His close up third to Ozzie from an inferior box showed promise. Would not surprise to see him run a race here.
- Shaynee. S Lozell.
The obvious choice to win this heat and the final. Proven performer over this trip in the north and south islands. Defeated Student Loan and Ripslinger Roxy comfortably in the Kingston Cup. She is the best distance dog in the country at the moment and deserves her favourite tag.
- Adobe Ninja. D Roberts.
His only distance win was in a class 0 in a slow time. Has been below average in his recent runs and would need to show considerable improvement to figure here.
- Dobby Who. M Prangley.
Runs through the line well over the 600 meters but does seem to struggle over the 700 meter plus distances. Has enough ability to be in the race for a long way, but hard to see him winning.
- Student Loan. J & D Fahey.
Grinding one-paced type who runs the longer distances out reasonably well. Last run at Auckland over this distance was quite disappointing. His last two runs have been much better including second in the Kingston Cup final behind Shaynee.
- Ripslinger Roxy. A Bradshaw.
Always catches the eye as she puts herself in most races. Ran on the best in the Kingston Cup for third from well back in the field. Runs as if the distance will suit but seems to place more than win. Definite chance to make the final.
- Max Volume. S O’ Neill.
Only fair over the middle distance as of late, and has only placed twice from nine starts over the distance. Would have to show improvement to figure here.
