Canterbury dominated Auckland Cup on Sunday
Peter Fenemor • January 24th, 2026 2:00 PM • 5 min read
Sunday’s $80,000 Auckland Cup at the Manukau Stadium could very well be renamed the “Canterbury” Cup, such is the sheer dominance of classy greyhounds in the field who are trained in Canterbury.
Seven finalists are mentored within the red and black region, with the other runner also having strong Canterbury connections.
The 527m Group 1 event (Race 9) sees a classy field being assembled following last Sunday’s four 527m heats.
The Dave Fahey and Katie Wyllie trained current NZ Cup title holder Original Warrior has been installed as the $2.70 favourite after he showed his rivals a clean set of hind paws when delivering his freewheeling 30.41 heat win.
He will look to adopt the same tactics when he hops away from the eight-trap as Fahey explains. “His draw is good for him as he can use his early acceleration from out there. He has come through his heat in good style, and I was happy with his work this morning (Wednesday), with him having a good hit out.”
Paw Bradley returned the quickest 30.33 heat time and last year’s Craig Roberts prepared Auckland Cup runner up can go one better on Sunday while wearing the TAB 3 rug.
“His draw isn’t that bad for him. He just needs to be left alone and if he’s in clear air then he can finish over the top of them as I reckon he’s the strongest dog in the field,” commented Roberts.
“I was very happy with his heat run, in fact rapt with it. He will be improved from that race, and he’ll strip cherry ripe for Sunday.”
Garry Cleeve returns north with his pair of litter brothers Zestful and Stuck Throttle.
It was a brilliant training performance by Cleeve to present Zestful to deliver his 30.66 heat win following a five-month spell.
“Yes, it was an unusual preparation, however we were able to keep his fitness levels up and he was ready for his RTR (return to racing) trial.
“He has come through his heat in great condition, and I would like to think there’s improvement in him for Sunday with him going into the race with better fitness,” advised Cleeve.
The frequent Group 1 finalist Stuck Throttle overcame traffic issues when he finished stoutly for his heat second.
“I think the race will come down to who gets the best run into the first turn. Stuck Throttle copped a couple of checks at the wrong time during his heat, and I was pleased with the way he stuck to his guns to qualify,” said Cleeve. “I’m happy with his draw (2).”
The 30.73 heat winner Opawa Stacy is prepared in Putaruru by the partners Sam Lozell and Georgie Clark.
She also has Canterbury heritage being bred there and is co-owned by Opawa Racing, along with Lozell.
“She’s the only girl in the race and she has proven tough to get past when she’s leading, although she can do it from behind.
“She has come through the race really good and statistically the seven draw is her best box,” suggested Lozell about the five-time Group 1 finalist
Canterbury conditioners Matt Roberts and Jack Johnson will be represented by the outstanding stayer Chief Dribble along with Let Him Cook in the decider.
Fahey and Wyllie complete the drawn field with the promising youngster It’s Okay.
Hot Railway Sprint field
The pace will be fast and furious from trap rise in the Gr. 1 $30,000 Railway Sprint (Race 11) final following last Sunday’s sizzling set of five 318m heats.
The electric Dave Fahey and Katie Wyllie speed machine Jerry Cola will exit from the tricky five trap after his heat best 18.33 sprint last week.
“He has the pace and strength to feature – it’s likely to come down to what sort of early racing room he gets.
“He can be a bit slow for the first couple of strides. It’s from there that his acceleration kicks in – as long as he gets clear early air,” commented Fahey about the $1.60 favourite.
Garry Cleeve applied the finishing touches to the 18.36 Max Effort and 18.43 Sugar Fix heat winners. They will jump from traps 1 and 8 respectively.
“Max Effort is likely to use the rail and providing he uses his draw, then yes, he can make his presence felt. He will be improved following his track debut last week.
“Yes, I was surprised but delighted that Sugar Fix won her heat. I was thrilled with her race, and she will also improve after that,” explained Cleeve.
Local conditioners Jared Udy and Denise Cottam will also return with two sprinters.
Simek is a proven Manukau sprinter as witnessed by his 18.39 heat win, while Kiwi Sea continues to deliver competitive sprints.
“Simek can be hit or miss at the start, however when he gets it right, he’s right up there. All we can hope for is for a clean beginning, then the rest is up to him.
“Kiwi Sea has produced consistent sprints since she returned from an issue. She generally jumps and runs, always giving her best,” advised Udy.
Craig Roberts is confident that his sprinter Paw Maven can make his presence felt at the business end after his 1.30 length heat second to Max Effort.
“I was really happy with his heat run, especially with the way he overcame traffic problems. I consider he’ll be a big improver for the final, as he will take considerable benefit from his heat,” suggested Roberts.
It took the pace owned by Jerry Cola to gun down the Lisa Cole prepared Criminal Minds by 1.20 lengths in his heat.
“Yes, he’s a winning chance if he comes out running like he did in his heat. He will have benefited from his first look at the track, where he baulked on the turn. It took a good sprinter to run him down,” said Brendon Cole.
Portland Coco was stylish when delivering his 18.55 heat win for the sisters Lisa and Tracey Craik.
“He’s just a young fella and he’s up against it in that field. He’s drawn nicely, although he will need luck on the day. He’s come through his heat well,” advised Lisa Craik.
