New Zealand Futurity Preview
Group 1 racing returns to Hatrick Raceway Whanganui on Friday night as four heats of the New Zealand Futurity are contested over the 520m journey. Some promising young greyhounds
from the north and South Island will do battle in the restricted age feature for a shot at $30,000 on
Friday the 25th of June.
New Zealand Futurity Heat 1
1. So Excited. M Goodier.
Better known as a sprinter who has found the top grade too tough for him lately. Yet to run over
the 520 Whanganui trip, but has placed over 457 at Manawatu. More than capable of showing up
in the early rush from the box draw, but will most likely find a few stronger at the business end.
2. Nighthawk Fancy. D Roberts.
Never in the hunt behind Tokyo Bird in her Oaks heat, before running a second over 603 meters at
Manukau after leading for the majority of the race. Running out the trip should be no problem but
has won all of her races from in front. The key lies with her beginning here which could be tough
with speed to her inside.
3. Speed Machine. L Cole.
Big win when last here from box 7 in a sub 30-second run. Sundays run at Manukau showed
improvement after two awful runs over distance at Cambridge and Manawatu. Third in the Derby
and has demonstrated how good he can be. Can ill afford another tardy beginning against this
company.
4. Shonky Sticker. J & D Fahey.
Hard to get a line on since arriving in New Zealand. Opened his campaign with a second in the St
Ledger heat in a good clip before making no impact in the final. He found the lead two back and
was run down late. Looks like he will need to lead this to be in with a shot, and that could be
difficult against track locals.
5. Box Vacant.
6. Federal Ranger. L Cole.
Was about to make it four from four on the track before the race was abandoned two Fridays
back. Looks like a dog with some serious speed even after a lengthy injury break. A vacant box inside
should further improve his chances. He is the one to beat.
7. Opawa Boys Paid. J & D Fahey.
The southern visitor who can show up and lead races before getting tired late. Could show up with
the 6 dog early into the first bend. Has track and distance experience, which is more than all of
the southern visitors. Racing for the minor placings most likely.
8. Allegro Pippa. L Cole.
Loves box 8 especially at this track and distance, but crossing this field is a daunting prospect for
her. NZ Oaks finalist who has improved a lot over the last few months. Another with minor place
claims.
New Zealand Futurity Heat 2
1. Big Time Kaylee. L Cole.
Absolutely devastating win from box 5 in the Auckland Oaks Sunday. Seems to be pinging the lids
much better after her NZ Oaks campaign. Class act and will be incredibly hard to roll here.
2. Fairly Able. J & D Fahey.
Was the Oaks favourite before the heats, but has been disappointing lately. Her best asset is her
box speed and she will need to use it here especially with Kaylee to her inner. Has been over the
track and distance and could potentially place.
3. Angry Jane. M Roberts.
Up against some class acts here. Has won in some decent times at Addington in the middle
grades. Had early career races here before moving south, will need to get handy early against a
handy field of greyhounds.
4. Know Keeper. G Cleeve.
New Zealand St Ledger winner who has a huge motor but is not a great beginner. His final
sections are super strong, but would not want to give Kaylee too big of a start. Every chance of
making the final.
5. Box Vacant.
6. Big Time Brynn. L Cole.
Has been in the money 23 out of 34 starts which is a decent achievement despite only winning 5.
He seems to be better suited to Manawatu and is seriously outclassed in this event. Would need
to produce a special run to qualify.
7. Chrome. J & D Fahey.
Yet to really fire up in New Zealand so far, despite running a couple of placings to open his NZ
account. He is picking on some talented dogs here and is another who would have to do
something special to qualify.
8. Federal Fear. L Cole.
Won his first five, but has struggled a tad since then. The lowest graded dog in the heat and box 8
is unlikely to help his plight. Inexperienced and will have to do everything right to rate a chance.
Has upside but may be out of his depth here.
New Zealand Futurity Heat 3
1. Adobe Bro. M Roberts.
Returning to racing after a month off on the back of his best career runs in the NZ ST Ledger heat
and final. This box should aid his chances as he races best when on the rail. No reason he can
not make the final despite no track experience.
2. Freedom League. L Cole.
Back to the middle distance after a soft sprint win from box one. Failed at her last try at restricted
age racing in the Oaks heats. Has shown a bit of speed over this distance before in the lower
grades. Could potentially be tested by some of these greyhounds here, minors at best.
3. Stay Connected. M Goodier.
Another who will probably find restricted age racing a bit tough. Has a poor record over this track
and distance and was only fair for his second in much weaker company on Monday, looks held.
4. Battle Cruiser. L Cole.
Has posted a quick 30-second run here in February, but has done little to kick on since then. His
second two back was handy and looked to suggest some confidence was returning, before
running a shocker last Friday in an easier field. Total enigma of a greyhound.
5. Box Vacant.
6. Big Time Smile. L Cole.
She is a solid and honest performer who finds the higher grades and restricted age a bit tough.
Has the advantage of a vacant box on her inside, and has run handy enough races to suggest she
could be a top-three player.
7. Rock On John. J & D Fahey.
NZ Cup winner who has recently found some form again after going through a dry spell. Has
experience on the track but the box draw works against him. Will have to take a flyer from out
here.
8. Great Work. J & D Fahey.
Not the fastest into stride which could be of some benefit to him from this box. Will look to find
the rail and run home strongly. Another potential top three place getter despite his Class 3 grading.
New Zealand Futurity Heat 4
1. Allegro Nixon. L Cole.
Form has started to desert him after a nice win in a strong field at Manawatu four back. Likes to
use a bit of the track but box one could assist him in finding a handier spot early. Not the worst
but this is another quality field.
2. Know Pick. G Cleeve.
Picked up Opawa Lucy late last start in what was a career-best victory. The first look on the track and
box two stats are surprisingly bad. Could potentially find the rail early with speed from inside and
out, should be running on better than most.
3. Miss Adobe. D Roberts.
Litter sister to Angry Jane who raced here in March over the sprint distance. Has grown a lot in
confidence since then and could lead out early. The later part of her races can generally find her
out though.
4. Glimpse. J & D Fahey.
A hat-trick of impressive victories completed on Tuesday albeit in the lower grades. Has good
early speed. This sort of race poses a big challenge to her. Talented but may need more time.
5. Box Vacant.
6. Nangar Ridge. L Cole.
Has been relatively costly over this track and distance. His win at Manukau was in a much weaker
field to this. The vacant box could help a bit but he will have to lift his game substantially to make an
impact here.
7. Big Time Atomic. L Cole.
The rising superstar who demolished his field two weeks back in a best on night 29.69. Hatrick
Raceway seems to be his go-to track, after a baffling fourth from box 8 at Manawatu. His box 6
stats are solid and he will be tough to beat from his first look out of 7.
8. Jelly Fish. J & D Fahey.
Emphatic NZ Oaks winner who has been terribly costly in her last three. Generally cuts in at the
start and in doing so could present the two Cole runners with problems. First look at a new track
and exiting box 8 first go at Whanganui will test her.
