Australasia’s Best Set For Platinum Paws Final
Excitement is building as New Zealand's richest ever greyhound race draws near. The Gold Band Finance Platinum Paws race will run this Friday 17 October at 8:33 pm.
Australasia's top racing dogs have battled it out for a chance at the record $250,000 stake and the field is now set.
The semi-finals produced some nail-biting finishes and the resulting Platinum Paws line-up will make for a thrilling night at the dogs.
Three Australian, three North Island and two Canterbury trained greyhounds will proudly parade to the starting traps at Addington Raceway for the big race.
The box draw has placed Canterbury's surprise finalist Smash Palace in the Number 4 slot, meaning he'll be running for charity.
The Number 4 dog in all races on the Platinum Paws race evening will be wearing a Make-A-Wish vest and the Make-A-Wish Foundation will receive a donation from GRNZ if Smash Palace places first, second or third.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation creates hope and happiness by granting the wishes of children and young people living with life-threatening illnesses.
Friday's Platinum Paws race is being held as part of Greyhound Racing New Zealand's (GRNZ) Centenary, commemorating 100 Years of Governance.
Greyhound racing is currently the fastest growing sport in the racing industry, and this prestigious race will be watched by thousands of punters from New Zealand and Australia.
The four semi-finals, held in Christchurch last Friday night, produced the following Platinum Paws line-up:
1 ATLANTIC BALE (Canterbury)
2 YAMBLA JACK (Waikato)
3 SIZE CAN MATTER (Queensland)
4 SMASH PALACE (Canterbury)
5 LYNLEA'S KING (Victoria)
6 EXPRESS RHODE (Waikato)
7 MAGIC SPIKE (Auckland)
8 JAYKAYELL (South Australia)
Reserves
9 RIDDLE MAN (Auckland)
10 HEAR THE CHEERS (Canterbury)
This line-up will jump from the boxes at 8.33pm Friday 17 October.
Size Can Matter, Magic Spike and Jaykayell have emerged as the favoured contenders with the betting public so far.