| NUM |
TIME |
COMMENT |
|
1
|
12:15
|
DUNSTAN MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE 3600m
INVISIBLE SPIRIT (2) showed improvement last start, finishing third over 4000m at Woodville. This is the right race for him, and he is the one to beat. ENGLISH GAMBLER (3) likes to run along in front, and though well beaten last time out, his run was not too bad, and in this field, he will give them all something to peg back. GO BUTCH (5) did not fire and was pulled out of the race here nearly 3 weeks ago, but he was well found in the market. He is capable of a better performance. FABULOUS NANCY (9), a 38-start maiden who finished fourth over 4000m at Woodville 12 days ago. Despite having many chances, she is well worth including in all combinations. MR FABULOUS (1) is capable of running into the first 4, and is sure to be at some decent odds. SUGGESTED PLAY: Invisible Spirit should win, and English Gambler at some value. |
|
2
|
12:50
|
AJRA MAIDEN HURDLE 3100m
BEAU BRUMMELL (6) will be making his jumping debut. He last raced 9 days ago on the flat, finishing eighth over 2000m at Cambridge on the poly track there. He is well-schooled and is expected to be hard to beat. TUTIN CANS (2) impressed on his jumps debut with a third-place finish in a 3000m hurdle at Woodville last time out. He’s likely to be competitive again. Each way value. ZEE HEIGHTS (3) struggled on the flat at Hawera two starts ago but showed improvement over the jumps, securing a minor placing over 3100m at this track. Stick with him. YELLOW JERSEY (4) ran a good race for third last time out and should hold his form now. SUGGESTED PLAY: Beau Brummell to win. |
|
3
|
01:25
|
AROHA LAW MAIDEN HURDLE 3100m
FIERCE FLIGHT (1) was unplaced two runs back on the flat at Te Rapa and then finished sixth last time out over 3100m at Hawera, when struggling in the testing ground. He can bounce back and win this, so follow your money. SUPER FLASH (2) has had mixed results recently, running third two starts ago over 3100m at this track before being eased out of the race last time over 3000m at Woodville. Stick with him. BROTHER MAX (4) has been competing on the flat, finishing unplaced at Cambridge on the poly track fresh up and then improving to finish third over 2000m there last time out. He won't be far away. WHO'S SAM (3) was retired from the race over 3000m at Woodville two starts back and then finished ninth over 2100m there on the flat last time out. Capable of better, and he is not out of this. GHIBBO (5) has to be respected and he does have a future in this role. SUGGESTED PLAY: Fierce Flight to be given another chance. |
|
4
|
02:00
|
J SWAP GREAT NEW ZEALAND HURDLE 4200m
HILL OF KINGS (8) is a promising jumper who bounced back with a win at this track last start, following an unplaced effort at Woodville before that. He is facing a very good field, but he will be hard to beat again. SQUIRE (9) ran well to place in a flat race at Arawa Park two starts back, then finished runner-up to the top pick last time out. He is a reliable jumper with two wins from four attempts over obstacles, deserving respect. YOLO (10) has been in stellar form on the flat, most recently winning by 4.5 lengths over 3210m at New Plymouth Raceway. She is backing up quickly, and there is no reason why she can't win again. THE BAMBINO (7) is chasing a hat-trick after back-to-back wins over 3000m at Woodville, the latest by 2.75 lengths. In great form, he can get the job done again in a terrific contest. BERRY THE CASH (1) has been so good for so long, and he can never be written off. SUGGESTED PLAY: Hill Of Kings to win, also include 1,7,9,10. |
|
5
|
02:38
|
MBS ADVISORS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS AMATEUR RIDERS 2200m
Nightfall and The Republican should roll forward and dictate. CARIGNAN (6) has been well-backed in his last couple of runs but hasn’t delivered, most recently finishing sixth over 1650m at Waverley. He steps back out to a middle distance and is ready to put his best hoof forward in this modest field. TE ATATU MEMPHIS (12) hasn’t won for a long time, extending that drought with a sixth-place finish over 2200m here last start. He drops in class, and is worth one more chance. HOOTIE JOHNSON (8) ran a solid fourth over 2200m at this track last start, and that sort of form is more than enough to make the top 3 in this field. Each way value. NIGHTFALL (4) has finished third in his last couple of starts, and he usually holds his form when fit. Stick with him. COMPLIMENTERRY (10) ran a solid third at Ruakaka last time out, and a repeat of that run would have him in the finish here as well. SUGGESTED PLAY: Te Atatu Memphis to find form again at some value. |
|
6
|
03:16
|
CANTER 4 CANCER 1400m
Our Castello or Fracas to lead the small field. FRACAS (1) finished six lengths back in fourth over 1200m at Waverley eight weeks ago, after being in contention at the turn. Steps up in distance today and in this field, he should go close to taking it out. BLUERIDGE (2), a five-year-old gelding by Eminent out of Sacred Country, debuts for the astute Kevin Myers stable, and he has had recent trial experience. Hard to beat, especially if he is well-supported in the market. KERBLINE (3) was last seen finishing seventh over 1800m at New Plymouth Raceway on December 5 and has since joined the Denise Jeffcoat stable. A solid top-three chance in a field that lacks any depth at all. LITTLE DARLING (6) has a rough chance from the pole position. SUGGESTED PLAY: Fracas to be hard to beat, but watch the market for Bluebridge. |
|
7
|
03:50
|
GEOFF BRINDLEY MEMORIAL AMATEUR RIDERS 1600m
Strong tempo with Izymydaad, Ark Kay and Linkin Park leading the way. LINKIN PARK (5) struggled when resuming two starts ago and then was beaten by 6 lengths, finishing eighth over 1700m at Awapuni on the poly track three-and-a-half weeks back. He will be peaking third up, and with some gear changes since his last run, he will be hard to hold out. MAGEE (4) missed out two starts ago but improved to finish a game fourth over a mile at Ruakaka last time out. Well-placed here, and it is his best chance to win a race. GEORGIEWOOD (3) was slow away last start and ended up running on late for sixth over 1600m at Otaki. Each way claims in this field. OUR EASY STREET (10) is worth keeping safe, especially now that she has a run under her belt. SUGGESTED PLAY: Linkin Park to find some form at each-way value. |
|
8
|
04:24
|
NEW ZEALAND HORSE AMBULANCE TRUST 1600m
Tommy Perfect should have enough pace to lead a low-pressure contest. INTERPLANETARY (3) returns after a six-month break and is having his first run as a gelding from a new stable. He has more upside than most in this and should be hard to beat, especially if the money comes for him. ROBBIE BURNS (1) came back from a spell and won fresh up by a head over 1400m at Matamata. He usually performs well second-up and demands respect. Each way value again. SACRED ZED (4) was 4 lengths back in sixth over 1300m at Ruakaka seven weeks ago. He has trialled recently, and the Kevin Myers stable can never be taken lightly. Stick with him. MA BAKER (5) hasn’t raced in four months since a half-length win over 2400m at Ellerslie. She will be wanting more ground, but this field is not strong, and she will be running on strongly. Watch for her late. SMOKIN MO (6) resumes today after winning a recent trial. Use the market as your best guide. SUGGESTED PLAY: Interplanetary to be hard to beat fresh up. |
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