Spion Rose Heats will be hot tonight at Hatrick
Mark Rosanowski • December 12th, 2025 11:06 AM • 4 min read
5 Big Time Loki
Was nailed near the line when second a fortnight ago by a dog that has won again since. His experience could count against the recent qualifiers.
Selections: 5-4-8-7
1 Run The Gauntlet
Slow starter but demon railer has been the fastest dog across 520m to date in this handy field.
Selections: 1-2-7-5
7 Big Time Lopez
Returns to her favourite track after a solid third at Manawatu. The last time she was here she pushed Pure Precision hard & that chaser is the futures favourite for the group one Spion Rose. 2 Iconic End won in a fast time the last time he stepped out on this track. Can be risky early.
Selections: 7-2-5-6
3 Claws In Sparky
Canterbury visitor who has thrived in past visits here & returns on the back of a sharp win in the deep south. 5 Fire Warning ran into a pocket last start after a slow beginning. Smart dog when the breaks go his way. Quaddie must.
Selections: 3-5-7-8
6 I've Got Swagger
Swift c3 winner here a fortnight ago & was very unlucky at Manawatu midweek. This is harder but she looks up to it. Will need quaddie cover though.
Selections: 6-5-2-8
3 Mojito Dreams
Ran himself into trouble when beaten at microscopic odds at Manawatu. Ran a stunning time here a fortnight ago which suggests that he can make the step up.
Selections: 3-8-4-6
7 Pure Precision
Has quickly advanced to the top level but has broken 30 seconds twice already so she should handle it. Is the futures favourite for this group one. 8 Opawa Stacy is a quality northern visitor arriving here in good shape. 3 Fear To Tread is the defending champion but is coming in fresh. Expect improvement out of this.
Selections: 7-8-3-1
5 Perfect Harry
Ran third in the group one NZ Futurity when he last came to Hatrick in June & he returns on the back of a slick win at Addington. Drawn between the right two dogs to get a fair crack from a squeeze draw. 2 Johnny Football is better known over 650m these days but won his last 520m race in August & he was a group one winner at the trip in March. Made the final of this race last year.
Selections: 5-2-6-8
7 Let Him Cook
Enigmatic chaser has delighted & disappointed in prior visits here. Returns in solid form & should get a drag across from the promising 6 Lulu's Dream. 4 Opawa Sooty has been racing well at Cambridge & has won two c5 races in three prior attempts on this track back in 2024.
Selections: 7-4-6-8
3 Big Time Kimetto
Reliable beginner won in this grade in a fast time at Manawatu. Narrowly beaten by another promising sprinter here a fortnight ago.
Selections: 3-6-2-4
8 Homebush Henry
Canterbury visitor is downgrading & picks on the right field. Probably need the first three selections in the quadrella.
Selections: 8-3-2-5
6 That's Contact
Had little luck at Manawatu after an ordinary start when favourite. Has looked handy enough here. 8 Cliff Top Banger could provide a banging finish to the night if he runs up to his slick second here a fortnight ago.
Selections: 6-8-4-2
Best Bet: Big Time Kimetto (Race 10)
Next Best: Run The Gauntlet (Race 2)
Value Bet: Big Time Lopez (Race 3)
It's worth checking out Peter Fenemor's preview article of the Spion Rose heats and a look ahead to tomorrow night's The Phoenix - the world's richest greyhound race. Click Here to read Peter's full article
