AUCKLAND CUP/RAILWAY HEATS PREVIEW:
MANUKAU Thurs 26 Feb.First Race 5.30pm.

The Tri-Code Auckland Cup Week Commences.
5 Heats Group 1 Pacific Sheet & Coil AUCKLAND CUP 527m.(Heat winners plus quickest 3 runnerup qualify)
6 Heats Group 2 First Sovereign Trust RAILWAY 318m.(Heat winners plus 2 quickest runnerup qualify)

**( $Fixed Odds to win final)...(BT =best win time track).

Pacific Sheet & Coil AUCKLAND CUP.
Heat 1:Race 2.
McCRACKEN..($8)..very slick win here Sun,looks to have peaked at right time.(BT.30.19)
TURBINE BALE..($21)..loves inside draws,and chased McCracken home here Sun.
SILVER CITY JAKE..($31)..smart last start winner Wanganui,makes first start top grade.Track debut.
SENSATIVE HARRY..($41)..capable brother to Johnny Midnight,makes first start top grade.Track debut.

Heat 2:Race 4.
ST WILD..($41)..likes to lead,won 7/11 NZ career.Allway winner here Sun against own age.(BT 30.44)
RIDDLEMAN..($15)..brilliant winner 6 straight last month.Loves this track,where won 10/17.Disappointed here last Sun when 4th.May have peaked too soon.(BT 30.26)
WINSOME BUCKS..($21)..strong Addington performer,but disappointed 2 runs here.Inside draw will assist.
LIGHT WESTERLY..($14)..highly regarded ex Perth import making NZ debut.Has trialled well here solo,but worst possible box draw!
SHE'S TOO COOL..($81)..capable on her day,can place at good odds.(BT 30.55)

Heat 3:Race 6.
WINSOME UNO..($6)..winner last 3,incl storming finish over Riddle Man here.Peaking at right time,strong chance.(BT 30.33)
FANCY SHELLY..($9)..2 top wins before wiped out at start last Sun.Can run powerfully,big show if leads.(BT 30.11)
MAGIC CITY..($101)..great recent win at Wanganui,but beaten 3 times since.Can place at big odds.
WILL SHE ECHO..($71)..dual recent winner here over 603m.Fit & strong,first start this top grade.
VARVATOS..($41)..ex Aussie with huge reputation,esp over longer distances.Promising NZ debut 4th,then disappointed here last Sun.
SPRING ADMIRAL..($41)..strong performer at Cambridge,but yet to flatter in two runs here.

Heat 4:Race 8
SHIFTY DOONS..($16)..impressive win here last month.Has good box speed,blessed with inside draw.(BT 30.34)
APPOINTED THYME..($15)..fresh after 5weeks off.Trialling very quick here solo,but chances depend on finding clear room early.(BT 30.28)
WINSOME MERC..($51)..won career 12/22,very capable.Track debut.
BUZZ CAFE..($61)..running strong placings here of late.Can place again at good odds.(BT 30.42)
TRENDY SON..($151)..better known for deeds at Cambridge.Runs wide,but could place at big odds.(BT 30.60)

Heat 5:Race 10
JOHNNY MIDNIGHT..($8)..unbeaten 8starts Addington,and career 9/11.Dashing recent winner only start here.First run top grade.(BT 30.24)
ROCKABYE LAD..($6.50)..recent NZ Cup winner Addington,then last here Shootout.Strong recent form,due respect.
YAMBLA JACK..($51)..only 2wins last 16starts since great 2nd Platinum Paws at Addington.(BT 30.56)
WHERE'S WHIZ..($41)..has fashioned brilliant record at Manawatu,won 11/15 there.Almost all career on one turn tracks.Track debut.

First Soverign Trust RAILWAY.

Heat 1 Race 1.
HIFI ALLEGRO..($14)..quality sprinter,won 6/10 NZ,all at Wanganui.Track debut.
CAWBOURNE JAMES..($18)..great record here,won 9/12.Injury plagued,unsighted since 7Nov.First start new kennel.If fully recovered can win.(BT 18.19)
RONRAY DISCO..($18)..recent arrival this grade,twice caught late by Watch The Jet.Has quick box speed,NZ record 6w/6p from 13s.Track debut.
PIZZA GIRL..($31)..won heat here last year(scr final),and current GOTY.Hasn't looked as sharp in recent wins.(BT 18.31)
AUSTIN..($101)..most racing has been one turn tracks,but can place at long odds from ace draw.(BT 18.51)

Heat 2:Race 3
TALIESIN BLUE..($4.50)..unbeaten in 2 NZ starts,both here in quickest time of day from the front.Very sharp box speed,looks winner.(BT 18.19)
TESS TOKAAM..($26)..top local,won 14/23 here.Has been notch below her best last couple,and tough to draw outside fav.Has only won from the front,so must jump.(BT 18.20)
ANOTHER GALE..($31)..won heat & final here last yearHas been brilliant sprinter.Well beaten last 2starts,and injury layoff 7weeks.Joint track record holder,but doubt lingers.(BT 18.02)
CAWBOURNE KERRY..($31)..impressive last start Wanganui winner Won 8/21 here,and grand record from wide draws.(BT 18.28)

Heat 3:Race 5
WILD ST TEDDY..($14)..has chased series fav (Taliesin Blue) home last 2starts from inside draws.Respect though tougher draw tonight.
LONGFORD ANNIE..($51)..all career starts here,won 24/63.Great record this box.Tough competitor,though beaten more regulary of late.(BT 18.06)
ANOTHER BAXTER..($41)..southern visitor,has raced through the classes quickly.First start this grade.Track debut.
STATELY CONQUEST..($101)..battle scared veteren.Drawn
to go bold race at big odds.(BT 18.21)

Heat 4:Race 7
IN COMMAND..($11)..comes here with 5wins straight at Manawatu.First look here,though won first up at Addington Galaxy Heat.Most racing been 375m or longer.
DIGAMMA..recent import,ran solid 4th in NZ/Track debut last Sun.Can feature.
CAWBOURNE CATHY..($81)..very capable this track,can be dangerous with peak jump.(BT 18.29)
FLYING CHAMELEON..($81)..tried hard,but yet to win this grade and tough box.(BT 18.44)
TRIAL BAY..($151)..won 6/14 here,but unreliable at jump.Can place with peak beginning.(BT 18.28)

Heat 5:Race 9
BLACK TIE..($14)..super sprinter,won heat here last season,and latest Galaxy winner.Resumed after 7week injury break with dominant win Mon Manawatu.Prefers inside draws,so badly boxed here.(BT 18.45)
DISCO JORDY..($21)..making NZ debut.Has trialled super here solo.Can win.
WATCH THE JET..($9)..has run brilliant times at Addington,but yet to win at other tracks.Can be vulnerable from this squeeze box.Prefers wide draws.Track debut.
SHOW THE MONEY..($16)..in or out at start,but jumped well 2 NZ starts and impressive winner both times.(BT 18.29)
SWINGING ZORRO..($151)..good form this draw,capable of placing at long odds.(BT 18.35)

Heat 6:Race 11
WINSOME LIGHT..($6.50)..star recent performer on all northern tracks.This month equalled Wanganui Tr.Rec and won 10/23 here.Top chance.(BT 18.20)
ALLEGRO VISION..($51).. absolutely fly's box's,but struggles at end.Placed only run here.
TONY KNOWS..($61)..strong southern form,favoured by inside draw.Track debut.
ONIE'S LAD..($61)..usually lacks early speed,but can swoop and finish strong.(BT 18.34)

***FEATURE RACE SUNDAY 01 March:
AUCKLAND DERBY (Thornton Auctions)
PADDY BOND (30.32) quickest heat winner favoured over runnerup SUDDEN SAM and other heat winner ST WILD (30.44).