| NUM |
TIME |
COMMENT |
|
1
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01:04
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GRANT PLUMBING MAIDEN SPRINT 1200m
Anticipating good pressure with many of these facing the starter for the first time. PRECIPICE (3) disappointed fresh up when well found in the market, and racing greenly at Otaki 2 weeks ago. The blinkers going on will help with his wayward tendencies, and he is the one to beat here. ALCARAZ (1) charged home too late when finishing runner-up by a head at Tauherenikau 5 weeks ago over 1000m. The extra furlong will help him, and he is long overdue to break through for his first win. RIOMOSA (2) had a tough trip at Whanganui last time out and will be hoping to slot on somewhere closer to the rails this time. He benefits from a kilo claim and can bounce straight back into the money, especially if the track is wet. LEICA RIPA (10) won a trial prior to a fair effort for fifth on debut at Waipukurau, when it was hard to make up any ground. She strips fitter, and can figure in the top 3 this time. CRIXUS (5) has been showing promise at the trials and makes his debut with the benefit of a 3kg claim. Don't take him lightly, and check the market moves. SUGGESTED PLAY: Precipice can take this out. |
|
2
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01:44
|
RYDGES AIRPORT THREE-YEAR-OLD SPRINT 1000m
Spark, Darci Dior and Paper Moon to take up the running at a decent tempo. COSMIC DREAM (5) won a pair of trials prior to finishing a game third on debut at Arawa Park 4 weeks ago over 1230m. She will be suited by the drop back to 1000m from the pole position, and she is the one to beat. PAPER MOON (9) failed to cope with a heavy track at New Plymouth on debut just over a year ago. She won the latest of her 2 trials this season, and with Craig Grylls in the saddle, she will be ready to rumble fresh up. SPARK (3) was not beaten far on debut in the Canterbury Belle Stakes in September. Her connections must think a lot of her, and even without another trial, she can take this out, despite copping a wide gate. NIEMI (6) needed her last start at Woodville 6 weeks ago. She has had a trial since then, so she should be a lot sharper this time. Stick with her on an each-way basis. DARCI DIOR (8) stuck to her task along the fence when finishing fifth on debut at Whanganui after racing handy throughout. Bruno Queiroz picks up the ride, and she won't be far away. SUGGESTED PLAY: Spark Each way. |
|
3
|
02:23
|
DEVAN PLASTICS 1400m
From wide out Brian can slide over and set up a genuine tempo. CHARMING EMPEROR (1) is a progressive 5-year-old gelding resuming from a spell for just his fourth career start. He has looked sharp at the trials, and with the advantage of the pole position, he is nicely poised to get the job done. PORT CHALMER (2) has improved this season, and was third for the second time in 3 starts this prep, when fighting on gamely at Waipukurau 4 weeks ago. He is likely to race on the pace again, and another honest effort can be expected. STARPELLO (6) ran the odd good race last season but lacked some strength. That won't be the case this season, and with a quiet trial under his belt, he is worth including in all top 4 combinations. BELLE'S CHARM (13) fought on gamely and just peaked late on her run fresh up at Waipukurau. She will improve quickly second up, and more importantly, she has Craig Grylls in the saddle this time. Hard to beat. HARD ROCK CAFE (9) was placed in all 3 starts earlier in the season, and should be right in the finish fresh up in this. SUGGESTED PLAY: Charming Emperor to win this. |
|
4
|
02:55
|
CONTEMPORARY KOROWAI DESIGNS 1600m
Strong pace from Sperlari, Cuba Street and Lets All Boogie from their low draws. TIK TOK TED (3) stepped up to a middle distance for the first time, and was too strong when scoring by over a length. Dropping back to a mile should suit him with a month between runs, and now that the penny has dropped, he can go on with the job. TAUPO DANCER (2) found some of his best form at the end of his last campaign, and he is likely to be running on late over a trip that will be short of his best. Each way value. Watch for him late. PIERCING ARROW (7) stuck to his task gamely when finishing third for the second time in a row at New Plymouth 10 days ago. He wouldn't mind a firmer track, and the extra furlong is ideal. Stick with him on an each-way basis. EIZUS (8) is showing plenty of promise, and followed on from a Waverley win fresh up, to run fourth at New Plymouth 10 days ago on a heavy track. She dons the blinkers and can figure in the top 3. SHEAF (4) has been steadily improving with racing. The drop back to a mile is a query, but she is still worth including. Each way. SUGGESTED PLAY: Piercing Arrow. |
|
5
|
03:33
|
BILL TITO BOOK REPAIR SPECIALIST 2100m
Theres nothing to run them along. TISSE (4) was an impressive winner over this trip at Ellerslie in his penultimate start, and then charged home too late over a mile at Otaki 2 weeks ago, finishing runner-up by a nose. He steps back up to a middle-distance and is the one to beat again. IDENTIKIT (6) came home strongly from near last to score over 2400m at Trentham 2 starts back and then was fifth as a short-priced favourite over 2040m at Whanganui 22 days ago. If the tempo is more genuine this time, then she is good enough to have the final say. BATTLE SECRET (3) whacked away soundly for seventh in the Whanganui Cup just over 2 weeks ago, and only needs some cut in the ground to be a solid each-way chance here. COMEDY (5) can mix his form, but he did seem to appreciate the weight drop when running into second-place at Whanganui last time out. He likes this track and should be thereabouts again. OPAWA JACK (2) did not have much luck from a wide gate in the Whanganui Cup, stick with him from a superior draw here. SUGGESTED PLAY: Tisse is the one to beat. |
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6
|
04:05
|
DUNSTAN HORSEFEEDS STAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER 2200m
Expecting Gate Crashers to set a genuine tempo after crossing from wide out. NOT SO UNUSUAL (8) is a lightly tried but very talented staying mare. She has had a trial since her last start, third at Waverley, and is the one to beat for us in a very competitive field. TRUST ALONE (9) has been hitting the line strongly in her last couple of starts, and she is normally better racing in an anti-clockwise direction. A good draw should see her bounce back into the top 3 placings. Each way value. GATE CRASHERS (3) has been improving his fitness with each of his 3 runs back from a spell. The extra 250m will suit him, and he has each-way claims in this. LATEST MODEL (6) flashed home too late again at Whanganui 15 days ago, and is overdue for her next win. Bruno Queiroz sticks with her, and so do we. COTTON ROCA (5) has improved since being put over a middle distance, and another honest effort is on the cards. Each way. TRANZED (11) and PHATS (4) can both do better, and are worth including in all top 4 combinations. SUGGESTED PLAY: Not So Unusual can win this even race. |
|
7
|
04:39
|
JENNIAN HOMES 1200m
Dealt With, Idyllic and Ima Brazen One to battle for the lead at a strong tempo. DEALT WITH (10) is a very progressive gelding who was good enough to be stakes placed twice as a lightly tried 3-year-old. He ran on too late for third fresh up at Otaki 2 weeks ago, and if 1200m is not too short for him, he can have the last say. TROBRIAND (6) trekked South and ran the gamest of seconds at Riccarton in the Stewards Stakes just over 4 weeks ago. There are no fitness concerns fourth up from a spell, and he can break his win drought here. INSATIABLE (11) is a stablemate of the second pick, who finished third in the same race behind that runner last time out. He has been placed on this course in the past over this trip, which is an advantage, and he would not be a shock winner. SILENT IS GOLD (3) has brought his good sprinting form from Singapore, and he hardly runs a bad race. He is resuming with a couple of soft trial wins under his belt, and he will be hard to hold out. REWARD SMILE (4) needed the run fresh up in the G3 Counties Bowl, and he is expected to improve. SUGGESTED PLAY: Dealt With can take this out. |
|
8
|
05:13
|
MARSH INSURANCE BROKERS 1400m
Expecting Vittorio Veneto to take up the lead at a genuine tempo. MA TE WA (4) is a very promising gelding who has been kept on ice since winning here in September. He has yet to be tested on a good surface, but would have attended some local jumpouts on his home track to maintain his fitness. He benefits from a 3kg claim and is well placed to take this out. OSTERIA (10) only battled at this level last time out at Ellerslie, after a tough head win in BM65 company before that. The step up to 1400m is the key, and he is worth another chance. Each way. FRENCH DOLL (9) fought on gamely off a wide gate to finish fifth at Otaki 2 weeks ago, and she will be peaking third up from a spell, and she has won twice here. OMEGA BOY (5) has been runner-up in both of his runs this season, and he will be peaking third up. Craig Grylls in the saddle adds to the confidence, and he can go one better this time. SUGGESTED PLAY: Ma Te Wa is the one to beat. |
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