| NUM |
TIME |
COMMENT |
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1
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11:20
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MICHAEL "MICKEY" BEECROFT MEMORIAL MAIDEN HURDLES 3100m
HIDALGO (7) has improved since joining the Niall Quinn stable, and his last couple of starts have been sound. He is making his jumping debut and won a trial in this role early last month. Hard to beat in this field. DOCTOR IRIS (3) has been placed in 1 hurdle start from 4 attempts. He is still learning, but can figure in the finish here. SKAW VALLEY (6) was much better over hurdles 4 weeks ago when finishing fourth. He hails from a top jumping stable and will eventually make the grade. SIR MAVERICK (5) has plenty of ability in this role and also many tricks. If his mind is on the job, then he can play a role in the finish. INMYSHADOW (8) is a late nomination for this field, and Kevin Myers is a very shrewd trainer. His ability on the flat is better than any in this, so he must be respected. SUGGESTED PLAY: Inmyshadow won't be getting under our guard. |
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2
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11:55
|
AVON CITY FORD SYDENHAM HURDLES 3100m
BERRY THE CASH (1) is a champion jumper who was a game third over hurdles at Woodville nearly 3 weeks ago. He will have next week in his sights, but can still take this out, even with his big weight. HAPPY STAR (3) will be peaking fourth up from a long spell, and he was a game runner-up in the same race as the top pick last time out. He is a safe jumper and is ready to win again. DICTATION (4) gave them a jumping lesson at Te Rapa in his penultimate start, and then was well back on the flat at Arawa Park 2 weeks ago. He will give a good sight in this. NEVER LOOK BACK (5) beat the top 2 picks in the same race last time out. He can chance his hurdles at times, but if he has his mind on the job, then he is a winning threat again. QUID (8) broke through for an overdue maiden hurdle win at Woodville by 5 lengths. He is the new kid on the block, but don't write him off from winning this. SUGGESTED PLAY: Dictation is a safe hurdler who is up to winning this. |
|
3
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12:28
|
CHRISTCHURCH CASINO 30TH SOUTH ISLAND AWARDS - 12 SEPTEMBER THREE-YEAR-OLD 1200m
Although on a small field the presence of some unraced runners should ensure a solid clip. EL VAQUERO (1) raced greenly at Oamaru last time out, but was still too good, scoring by a wide margin. There is more depth to this field, but he has to be hard to beat again. RUBIROSA (4) won the latest of his 2 trials, and his stable has a terrific record with their team on debut at this course. The market will tell the full story. ZAVISION (7) will be making her debut without any public trials, but that won't mean that she is not ready to rumble. Watch the market moves. FOUR THE MOMENT (2) lifted late to score by a nose at Riverton in April and has been kept on ice since then. He is bred to continue to improve with more racing, and if fit, he will be right in the finish again. FOUROFUS (3) was beaten by a nose by his stablemate and fourth pick. He has scope to improve, and is not the worst for a top 3 finish. SUGGESTED PLAY: Rubirosa is the talk horse. Watch closely. |
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4
|
01:00
|
SPEIGHT'S SUMMIT ULTRA ON TAP OPEN 1200m
Genuine pace with Master Marko taking up the running ahead of Street Fightin Man and Victor Rouge. EXPRESS COUP (4) got a long way back at Oamaru last time out and made ground, albeit too late. She can settle a lot closer to the pace this time from a superior gate, and if the rails aren't off, then she will be bouncing back into form here. MASTER MARKO (1) races too keenly in front at Oamaru last start and was taken wide around the turn when he need not have been that wide. He strips fitter, and can take this out. STREET FIGHTIN MAN (2) was traveling nicely outside the second pick in the same race last time out, and was forced wide by that runner when they went for home. He weakened late and is ready to win a race at short notice. VICTOR ROUGE (3) raced on the pace against most of these in the same race last start and just peaked late on his run, finishing fourth. He has less time between starts this time, and is a sound each-way chance. CANDLE (6) was well ridden when dashing home along the fence when the leaders went too wide on the turn. She can figure in the finish again. SUGGESTED PLAY: Street Fightin Man is ready to win again at short notice. |
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5
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01:39
|
RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE KORAL STEEPLECHASE 4250m
JESKO (3) is the new jumping start this season, and he was given a tune-up on the flat at Waverley 8 days ago and had a wide trip all the way, but still managed to finish a brave runner-up. He is nicely placed at the weights, and though next week is the main target, he can win this as well. WEST COAST (1) never gives up, and what more can be said about this fellow, as he has done it all. He loves it here and will again give his all. NEDWIN (7) is more accomplished over the hurdles but did place as favourite in his only steeplechase. He is nicely placed in this, and the 4250m is in his favour. Each way. CALL ME JACK (5) was so brave behind the top pick at Trentham 5 weeks ago, and has been given a tune-up at the trials since then. He deserves another winning turn. AFTERALLTHISTIME (6) has the ability in this role, and is not here just to make up the numbers. SUGGESTED PLAY: Jesko and West Coast in a match race. |
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6
|
02:23
|
ZILCO RATING 65 1200m
Manali, Tonia's Dragon and Quartz Queen can set a genuine tempo. CYPRESS (1) is a very progressive gelding who has been freshened up since finishing runner-up at Whanganui 7 weeks ago. He did what he had to when winning a recent trial at Foxton. A wide draw could be an advantage, and he is the one to beat. INTERCEPT (5) had been racing well earlier in the year and will be stronger now. She revels in bad ground, and in a very even contest, she can figure in the finish. Watch for any market moves. RUSSIAN ROSETTE (6) had a fairly tough trip at Oamaru nearly 2 weeks ago and fought on gamely for fifth. She has yet to fire on this course, but can improve that stat here. TONIA'S DRAGON (7) has returned South after a couple of reasonable efforts in the North Island. She is down in class from her last start at Ruakaka, and cannot be risked in this. Each way value. LATENIGHT GALAXY (3) won his maiden by a nose at Ashburton a month ago. He has the scope to be among the top 4 here. SUGGESTED PLAY: Cypress looks to be the one to beat, and Tonia's Dragon to make up the quinella. |
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7
|
02:57
|
GOLD CLUB RATING 75 1400m
Strong tempo with Lady Bankside and Magnastar leading the way over The Matador. ALMINETTE (5) has found it hard to win at times, but her consistency can't be faulted. She was runner-up off a wide gate at Oamaru nearly a fortnight ago, and with Bruno Queiroz in the saddle, she can go one better here. MAGNASTAR (3) made it a pair of wins at Oamaru when scoring very easily there nearly 2 weeks ago. He is strong enough now to cope with more ground than 1200m, and the hat-trick beckons. LADY BANKSIDE (6) set the pace and fought on gamely for third at Oamaru last time out, and bolted home to score at Ashburton before that. This field is not the toughest, and she will be hard to hold out again. WHERE'S WALLY (1) is a tough veteran who is still capable of a big run when his mind is on the job. He won last time out and cops an extra 3.5kg for his troubles. Stick with him. INVESTIGATE (8) showed some ability when trained in the North Island. Let the market be your best guide. SUGGESTED PLAY: Alminette deserves another winning turn. |
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8
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03:32
|
WINTER FASHIONS HERE 9 AUGUST RATING 65 1600m
Good tempo expected with Speed Dial, Abandonment and Powerful Moss rolling forward. ABANDONMENT (2) has improved with racing, and was an easy winner as an odds-on favourite at Woodville nearly 3 weeks ago. He cops a wide gate, but over a mile, it won't be an issue. This field is very even, but he could be the one to side with here. HEREIGOAGAIN (4) was only beaten by a nose on the poly track here 9 days ago over 1400m, and the extra furlong is no problem. She gets through bad ground and is capable of another top 3 finish. IRISH MISS (8) finished third as favourite at Oamaru nearly a fortnight ago. She is having her first run on this track, and is one of many in this with top 4 claims. GANGSTA GRANNY (6) is at her best on heavy tracks, and even though she is sometimes not the most reliable, she does have Bruno Queiroz in the saddle, and in big fields like this, he is worth many lengths. REPROBATE (1) ran on nicely at Oamaru last time out. He loves the wet ground, and a wide gate could be a blessing in disguise. Include in all multiples. SUGGESTED PLAY: Abandonment to be in all bets in a very open contest. |
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9
|
04:07
|
WINNING EDGE PRESENTATIONS 128TH WINTER CUP 1600m
Strong tempo, primarily from Vamos and Bradman. ROYAL VALOUR (11) let down with a big finish to win at Oamaru nearly 2 weeks ago in a perfect lead up to this feature of the day. He is perfectly weighted at 53kg, and though this race has more depth, he is in a good space, and it is the right time for him to step up. On top. BELARDO BOY (1) will find it tough to win with the top weight, as not many have done it before him with 60kg to carry. He is so honest and can never be discounted. WHO KNOWS (13) is a very progressive mare who won at BM75 level at Whanganui 7 weeks ago. She has had a trial since then and is seasoned enough to cope with a hard mile on her preferred heavy ground. She drops 5kg, and would not be a shock winner. OUR JUMALA (6) has been thereabouts 5 starts since winning at Trentham in late March. She was doing her best work late over 1400m at Listed level 2 weeks ago, and will relish stepping back up to a mile. Don't risk her, especially if the fence is the place to be. VICTORIAN CHARM (16) is not out of this. SUGGESTED PLAY: Who Knows with the light weight, could be the one to side with. |
|
10
|
04:41
|
GROUP 1 RACEDAY PARTY - 13 SEPTEMBER RATING 75 1800m
Solid tempo anticipated with Bella Luce taking charge. BALLROOM BLITZ (11) fought on gamely for fourth over a mile at New Plymouth 2 weeks ago. She will relish the extra furlong after having 3 runs back from a spell, and will be among the hardest to beat here. STORMS AHEAD (9) has won both of his South Island starts and is bred to improve further over a longer trip. This is another step up, but he is up to the task. RADIANT REACH (7) was below her best at Oamaru last time out and drops back in class for this. She has the pole position, and if that is the place to be, then she can bounce back into the money. Each way value. IFFIN DOUBT DANCE (12) is a consistent mare who will be fit after racing over 2200m on the poly track here 9 days ago. SUGGESTED PLAY: Ballroom Blitz for each-way players. |
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