Paw Utility was the fastest qualifier into the Group 2 Sportsbet Horsham Cup tonight, with an all the way 26.85 second run over the 485 metre distance.
The Sam Grenfell trained chaser had the second fastest first split, stopping the clock at 6.48 seconds. Second to speed demon Hotel Whisky One.
Paw Utility’s heat was an open one, with just the one greyhound (Ethanol Volume) in double figure odds.
The Group 2 Sportsbet Horsham Cup will be Paw Utility’s first group race attempt in his 26-start career (eight wins and nine minor placings).
A noticeable absentee from the Grenfell kennel in the Horsham Cup heats was Vincent Bale. He has made the trip to Perth and will trial on Saturday in preparation for the Perth Cup heats on March 8.
Vincent Bale and fellow Victorian Morton are in the care of Steve and Kira Withers.
Jason Thompsons hopes of five Horsham Cups in still in tack, with two of his chasers Tim Zoo and Flying Zulu doing enough to make it through to the Cup next Friday night.
Brooke Ennis finds herself with two greyhounds (Zipping Hopkins and Amron Tiger) in contention for the Horsham Cup, but it was Zipping Hopkins who pulled off the run of the night with a last to first performance to win his heat.
Leo Bale was impressive in his heat, taking advantage of an unimpeded run from box three, holding off Flying Zulu and his curly tail.
Zipping Kai was the biggest shock of the night, winning his heat at $13.60.
