Greyhounds chase the Auckland Cup on Sunday
Peter Fenemor • January 25th, 2025 7:30 PM
The 2025 Auckland Cup will be heading south as visiting trainers have secured all eight-final field positions for Sunday’s running of the $80,000 Group 1 527m event (Race 10) at the Manukau Stadium.
Just how far south the Cup will travel remains to be seen.
Six Canterbury prepared greyhounds will take on a pair of Manawatu trained chasers.
The TAB Final Field market suggests the 527m final will be fought out between the Dave Fahey and Katie Wyllie mentored One Hot Bandit and Paw Bradley from the Craig Roberts kennels.
Both classy greyhounds have opened at $3.30 and they have drawn alongside each other.
One Hot Bandit already has the New Zealand Cup safely tucked away in his kennel and he impressed in the determined manner that he won his track debut heat in 30.38. He wore the black racing vest then and he’ll do likewise on Sunday.
“His draw is a bit iffy, although I’m happy he’s on the outside of some those drawn inside him. He will have taken benefit from his heat run on the track. He’s as happy as,” advised Wyllie.
The current Addington 29.50 525m track record holder Paw Bradley muscled his way into contention when he overcame some first turn jostling to stride clear for his 30.43 heat win, while also on track debut.
“He very nearly didn’t make it through owing to the first turn jostling. Luckily he’s a big boy who was able to shrug off the inference. I’m very happy with him,” commented Roberts about his trap-six drawn contender.
Kennelmate Xisco Bale ($6.50), who will jump the five-trap, freewheeled his way through his heat assignment in a tidy 30.29.
“At last he showed the early pace that we know he has. Using that early speed set him up nicely and from there he just kept on rolling. Hopefully he can repeat that on Sunday,” suggested Roberts.
Chief Dribble ($6) grows another paw whenever he races at Manukau as we witnessed when the current 779m track record holder cruised through his heat assignment in 30.27 for Roberts son Matt. He will be sighted racing in the TAB 3 rug.
“I’m happy with his draw as I believe he can take a sit on the inside going into the first turn and then perhaps capitalize on any trouble that may occur and then go from there,” said Roberts.
Lisa Cole will be looking to deny the Canterbury squad victory as she has qualified two-contenders.
The recent Waikato Classic winner Boom Dynamite ($5.50) went to war with One Hot Bandit in his heat, only yielding to him by a neck at the judge. He has drawn the one-trap which concerns the kennel – Cole’s husband Brendon explains.
“I’m not overly sure about his draw as he cuts down hard to the rail. Potentially he could lose a couple of lengths by doing that. Look, if he can lead the field into the first turn, then yes he can be right in it at the finish.”
Kennelmate More Magic ($13) has quickly raced through the grades and inexperience on the track cost him in his heat when finishing 1.30 lengths behind Chief Dribble.
“More Magic got lost on the final turn in his heat and he threw away his winning chance by doing so. I believe he will be better for the run up there and he is drawn good in the two-trap,” stated Cole,
Slick Railway Sprint field
The slick sprinters lit up the Manukau track during last Sunday’s sizzling five 318m Railway Sprint heats and it promises to be a pulsating Group 1 final for Sunday’s $30,000 dash (Race 7).
Jerry Cola travelled north just three-days after lowering the Addington 295m track with his searing 16.47 sprint.
The new Dave Fahey and Katie Wyllie training partnership then produced Jerry Cola ($1.95 – TAB Fixed) to deliver an electric 18.06 track debut sprint. He will be paraded to the traps wearing the TAB 3 rug.
“Yes, Jerry used his midrace burn to burn them off. He was impressive, however he must start better in the final. We are happy with his draw,” said Wyllie.
Kennelmate Opawa Mocha ($6) is a seriously quick Fahey and Wyllie mentored sprinter who burnt to his 18.22 heat win.
“Yes, Mocha used his strength in his heat and he will be improved after that. He is suited drawing out in eight and we are pleased he has done so,” confirmed Wyllie.
The third finalist for Fahey and Wyllie is Everest Sky ($10) who overcame traffic issues to record his 18.60 heat win.
“I thought that was an impressive win by Sky first up on the track, especially after the trouble in the heat. I feel the six-trap will suit him,” suggested Wyllie.
There will be plenty of emotion at the stadium if the locally based sisters Lisa and Tracey Craik can train Quintessential ($12) to victory following his 2.70 length heat second to Opawa Mocha. He’s a proven Manukau 318m sprinter, whose mum Just One Smile was the 2019 Railway Sprint winner.
“Yes, it will be a dream result if Quintessential can win the Railway. He has come back really good from his spell and it’s up to him to run a mistake free race,” advised Lisa Craik.
Kennelmate Lion’s Den ($7) gamely chased home Jerry Cola for his 5.10 length heat second.
“Lion’s Den will need some luck as I can’t see him challenging for the early lead as he hasn’t got a 4.40 first split in his legs. He will hold the rail,” reflected Craik,
It’s a high-class 12 race premier meeting on Sunday with numerous feature races carded throughout the afternoon.
Included is the $15,000 Auckland Stayers Cup (Race 3) over the 779m distance, featuring the presence of the ageless outstanding stayer Grande Vue Ace. Her veteran owner/trainer Bob Pringle will be lining up his pride and joy for her 100th race on Sunday.
Photograph at the top of the page: Paw Bradley delivering his convincing Auckland Cup heat win Credit: Rhian Farrell
