Stunning Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar field
Peter Fenemor • June 7th, 2025 4:00 PM • 4 min read
Eight supreme staying greyhounds will contest Sunday’s $80,000 Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar over the 779m distance.
Three-enthralling 779m heats raced last Sunday sees a high-quality field of stayers being assembled to contest Australasia’s longest greyhound race.
The 54th edition of the great race promises to add to the rich, coloured history of the Silver Collar which sees the winning greyhound briefly wearing the solid silver collar which was donated to the Auckland GRC by Prince Phillip following the 1970 Royal Tour of New Zealand.
Just two stayers have won two Silver Collars – Tivoli Tom (1992 & 1994) and Ring The Bell (2017 & 2018).
On Sunday the Matt Roberts prepared Chief Dribble will attempt to emulate those two-classy stayers, following his potent 46.01 track record victory last year.
Chief Dribble ($2.40 & $1.18 – TAB Final Field) indicated he is on target to do so when he recorded the quickest 47.10 heat time on a rain sodden track.
“It was a relief to see Chief Dribble bowling along in front. He has pulled up magnificently from the run.
“I’m not discouraged by his draw (6). I guess the final will come down to if Johnny Football makes a quick start, which can see Chief Dribble duelling with him during the early stages, making it harder for my boy,” suggested Roberts.
Yes, Johnny Football ($5.50 & $1.65) potentially holds the key to the shape of the race. The powerful Lisa Cole trained stayer made an uncharacteristic slow start in his heat and he was brave in the manner that he grinded out his heat second to Little Dodo.
“He made a mistake at the start in his heat. It was a massive effort by Johnny to qualify. If he can back that up then he’ll be hard to beat from his improved draw (2), especially if he jumps straight onto the pace,” advised Brendon Cole.
Garry Cleeve is chasing his second Silver Collar training win, and he has the firepower with the 47.36 heat winner Little Dodo ($3.60 & $1.35) to achieve that. He came from last to nail his heat victory.
“Yes, that was a really hard watch. However, looking at the sectionals, especially the run home times, from all heats indicates that he’s right up there with the other heat winners.
“He has been improving since being introduced to staying racing and he has been doing everything right. I feel there’s a wee bit of improvement in him,” stated Cleeve.
The Geraldine wonder Grande Vue Ace ($4 & $1.40) will be vocally cheered home if she can improve on her third placing from last year. The Bob Pringle mentored stayer showed she’s on target when she stormed home to secure her 47.39 heat win.
“I reckon being held out wide in her heat helped her with the rail being heavier ground to race through. I’m absolutely thrilled and proud of my little girl making her second Silver Collar final in a row against a field that contains high calibre stayers.
“She charged around this morning (Tuesday) enjoying herself free galloping. She is thriving in her work. I’m not overly happy about her draw (8) although that won’t faze the little girl,” commented Pringle.
It wouldn’t surprise if any of the other four stayers in the final can secure a postrace podium placing.
Sweet And Sassy ($21 & $3.60) has drawn to contest the pace throughout from her one-trap draw for Jamie Pruden.
Jack Johnson’s pair of stayers Adobe Videl ($21 & $3.60) and Opawa Corban ($26 & $4) both delivered credible heat efforts, while Rob Roper is returning last year’s Silver Collar finalist Boom Lateral ($31 & $4.60) to contest another final.
Outstanding support card
The support card for Sunday’s Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar meeting has attracted superb fields.
The time-honoured Waterloo Cup was first contested for as a coursing event in 1878, with it being the longest established New Zealand racing trophy.
Sunday’s edition is completely dominated by the Dave Fahey and Katie Wyllie mentored New Zealand Cup title holder One Hot Bandit ($1.45 & $1.03).
This season’s Auckland Cup third placegetter has now won all 15 of his Addington 525m races.
“He is showing consistent early pace now and he’s strong at the finish. His draw (3) is pretty good for him,” said Fahey.
Stuck Throttle ($5.50 & $1.45) has been competitively contesting Group races throughout the season for Garry Cleeve, and he’s drawn to swoop on his rivals from trap-eight.
The leading northern trained contender looks to be the Sam Lozell trained Opawa Stacey ($11 & $2.05). She was a recent New Zealand Oaks finalist.
The $10,000 Peter Earley Classic is dominated by Lisa Cole prepared chasers with Fear To Tread and Boom Dynamite holding strong claims in the 527m feature.
There’s a mouthwatering clash looming in the $8,000 Auckland Derby where the Thursday’s searing 25.23 Craig Roberts trained Cambridge 457m winner Paw Bradley match his paws against the Cole prepared 527m Auckland Cup winner More Magic.
Cole dominates the $8,000 Auckland Oaks 527m field being represented by her recent New Zealand Oaks winner Big Time Zip and the NZ Oaks runner-up Big Time Favour.
There’s free entry to the Manukau Stadium on Sunday, with the first race being dispatched at 12.34pm.
