Triggs-Hodge and Reed off to a flyer at Henley

ANDY Triggs-Hodge and Peter Reed remain on course for a Silver Goblets showdown with New Zealand's Eric Murray and Hamish Bond as both pairs progressed safely through their first round races at Henley Royal Regatta.

ON THE MARCH: Andy Triggs-Hodge and Peter Reed ease through opening race at Henley Royal Regatta

The duo captured World Cup gold in Banyoles in their first international race in a pair together, but lost out to the Kiwi duo earlier this month at the Munich World Cup.

In their first outing together at Henley, Triggs-Hodge and Reed made light work of American pairing John Huppi and Andrew Walker, cruising home with a verdict of easily.

Murray and Bond's victory was just as comprehensive as they clinched their place in the next round with the same verdict, overcoming Japan's Tomoki Mitsuoka and Masayuki Hamada.

In the Diamonds event, there is also a Great Britain versus New Zealand conflict brewing as Great Britain's Alan Campbell came through his single scull first round race with Will Hoodless by one-and-a-quarter lengths.

ON FORM: Mahe Drysdale beat Great Britain's Nick Baker by four and a quarter lengths at the Henley Royal Regatta (Getty Images)

New Zealand's three-time world champion Mahe Drysdale, who took victory in Munich ahead of Campbell, also safely progressed with a comfortable win over former junior world champion, Eton Excelsior's Nick Baker.

"Henley is really important especially this year because all the top scullers are here," said Drysdale, after his four-and-a-quarter length victory.

"Four out of the Olympic top five are here so it's a very strong field. We all want to come away with the win.

"The really surprising thing is how nice it is to come to Europe and be ahead of everyone else so early. And there's still a lot more to come. I'm happy with the way I started."

But Olympic champion Olaf Tufte is also in the mix, after he won easily against Rodrigo Ideus - the first Columbian Olympic rower in history.