It made no difference as Dyna Vikkers overcame early traffic issues to loom into contention when racing down the back. He asserted his authority early in the run home to dash clear for his powerful win.
Izzey Bale produced a similar effort, settling in the midfield pack, where he stayed until the home turn from where he extended strongly to claim his second.
Local trainer Denis Schofield had high expectations for his charge Spanish Fancy from the ace-trap. She tangled with co-race favourite Kilchurn when racing into the first turn. She recovered by pushing up along the rail to nail third, another two lengths behind.
The Waterloo Cup, first contested in 1878, carried the prized added incentive of the winner being granted direct entry into a heat of the world's richest greyhound race, the A$600,000 Melbourne Cup, however Roberts senior is hesitant about accepting the invitation.
"The Melbourne Cup heats are the night after the New Zealand Cup final. At this stage, I'm leaning towards staying at home.
"Dyna Vikkers never ceases to amaze me. He had some niggles going into this series, meaning he was underdone for it. To beat a field like that one in the manner that he achieved, it speaks volumes about his class."
The meeting was in jeopardy after heavy overnight rain that affected the track, with the home straight being the worst affected. Successful remedial work saw the meeting put back two races with the track racing up to the required standards.
Canterbury trainer John McInerney has exploded out of the traps for the new season, producing a constant stream of race winners.
Amazingly, during yesterday's Otago meeting, the family training operation brought up their 100th training success since August 1, when Tell The Boys prevailed.
McInerney begins today's Addington meeting sitting on 104 winners, clear of rival Lisa Ahern, who finished yesterday's Manawatu meeting sitting on 65 for the season.
