Racing: American Warrior odds on to take out New Zealand Cup

Cup Day at Addington Raceway. File photo / NZ Herald

There's only one way that the red-hot $100,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup favourite American Warrior ($1.40) can get beaten in tonight's $100,000 decider at the Addington Raceway.

A complete hash of the jump from the 520m traps can bring about the potent greyhound's downfall. The chances of that happening from trap-eight is very remote.

American Warrior crushed his rivals in his electric 29.91s semifinal win last week.

"Yes his draw suits him and obviously we are hoping for the same again [semi win]. He was huge to the back-mark. He's all set to go, with my only concern being that he has to clear the Spud [Missile - trap-7]," said co-trainer Dave Fahey, who with his wife Jean is seeking his seventh NZ Cup training victory since 2006.

The Faheys have a sound back-up contender in Opawa Shackley ($6).

The sole northern qualifier is the Steve Clark prepared Spud Missile ($15).

Stakes claims can be made for the ideally drawn Berridale Lad ($7.50).

Calum Weir only put his recent Australian imported greyhound Zipping Jordan ($8.50) into the cup as an afterthought. That call has paid dividends as two wins from two races in this series sees her in the group one final.

Weir has also been allocated trap-five for his electric sprinter Swimming Goat ($1.50) who is going for his 30th Addington 295m win from just 33 races in the $30,000 Fitz Sports Bar Galaxy Sprint.