| NUM |
TIME |
COMMENT |
|
1
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11:38
|
AGRICENTRE SOUTH EXELLENCY STAKES 1100m
Field full of first starters which usually means a keen tempo. MISS THUNDERDONK (8) has trialled up at Riccarton and has travelled a long way to make her debut. Her stable is in good form, and even though she is bred to want more ground, she can make her presence felt. On top for us. SWIFT THINKER (9) is a local filly making her debut from a stable that is always hard to beat on their home track. She would have attended the jump-outs in the area, and she will be ready to rumble. LIFETIME (6) has trialled at Ashburton, and she hails from the white-hot Bruce Tapper stable. A wide gate is no help, but she can't be taken lightly in this. ACE APP (5) is bred to want more ground, but she will have the coveted pole position for her debut. Include in all top 4 combos. CRACKER SAMS (1) makes his debut and has had a recent trial at Riccarton, where he did more than enough in the run to the line. He is in good hands and is well worth consideration, especially if the money comes for him. The market will be the best guide to this race. SUGGESTED PLAY: Miss Thunderdonk will be hard to beat. |
|
2
|
12:09
|
REMEMBERING ALEX THOMSON LIFE MEMBER 1400m
No recognised leader engaged but Bakers Dozen has the pace to work to the front. TAIHORO (2) resumed from a decent spell and fought on bravely to finish runner-up at Wingatui nearly 3 weeks ago. He has been a touch weak in the past, but looks well placed this year to win his first race, especially on a wet track. BAKERS DOZEN (12) finished a brave second behind a very promising type here nearly 4 weeks ago, and she had the rest of the field well covered. She has a similar wide gate, but can go one better. FERDIE'S SECRET (4) has shown some ability in the past when trained in the North Island, and he will find the company here more to his liking. He handles the wet, and he won't be in this grade for long. Check the market. GREAT ADVENTURE (5) is another ex-North Island-trained gelding who will be dropping back from a 2050m contest at Tauherenikau a month ago. Use the market as your best guide, and include him in all top 4 combos to be safe. CHEEKYLITTLEFELLA (8) showed talent in his initial prep and he will be a lot stronger now. Each way value. SUGGESTED PLAY: Taihoro can win this. |
|
3
|
12:40
|
PGG WRIGHTSON SEEDS / ASHFORD MOTOR LODGE CHRISTCHURCH POURAKINO HANDICAP 2147m
From the wide draw Strong can cross and set up a solid tempo. IMPERATIVE (5) has been racing well since an impressive win at Ashburton in February, and she revels in wet ground. She was only beaten by a head in her last start on her home track, and she should go close to winning here. WORDS OF MINE (6) made up a lot of late ground when finishing third in a tougher field at Riccarton a fortnight ago over 2600m, and she won't lack fitness. She is in a good space right now, and another honest effort can be expected. STRONG (11) has not won for some time, and was a brave fourth in the same race as the top pick last time out. His stable is winning everything at the moment, and he doesn't have to improve by much to be winning a race like this. Stick with him. PEEKAY (7) fought on gamely for fifth in heavy ground here nearly 4 weeks ago, and his form has been near enough this prep. Include in all top 4 combos. MAMAEA (8) was unsuited by the drop back to 1600m, and her third over 2000m before that run is the guide to use here. Top 4 value. SUGGESTED PLAY: Imperative is the one to beat in this. |
|
4
|
01:15
|
APARIMA RESTAURANT AND BAR HANDICAP 1600m
Pace looks genuine from Megalomaniac, Bleakhouse Burtie and Monaghan Boy, closely attended by Blushing. AIRPARK HUSTLER (8) has struggled to recapture his form from earlier in the season, and he did not have much luck in a far stronger field at Wingatui last time out. Though finishing out of the placings, he was not far from the placings that day, and from a superior gate here, he is good enough to take this out. MONAGHAN BOY (4) has raced his way into form and was only half a length from the winner when finishing a game fourth last time out. He has won on this track in the past, and he has each-way claims again. CHAMPAGNE LINDA (6) continued her solid form with a sound fourth in the Breeders' Stakes 2 weeks ago. Stick with her. BLUSHING (12) continued the white hot form of the Bruce Tapper stable when winning at Wingatui last start, and despite copping a wide gate, she will still be hard to beat. BONSAI BOB (9) showed what he can do when his mind is on the job, last start here nearly 4 weeks ago. He is worth the risk again. SUGGESTED PLAY: Airpark Hustler each way. |
|
5
|
01:50
|
RIVERTON BUTCHERY APARIMA HANDICAP 1200m
Rochello should spear straight to the front of the small field. MARTELL (2) was a bit of a find last year when winning 3 races on the bounce after relocating to the South Island. He has a good record fresh, and on his home track, he will be ready to rumble. EXPRESS COUP (3) has been thereabouts in some tough fields in her last couple of starts, and she has not missed a cheque on this track over this trip in 3 starts, including 2 wins. She is ready to show her best again. MISS BRITTANY (4) needed her fresh run at Ashburton, and she normally improves quickly with racing. She is nicely weighted, and if the track is not too wet, then she can figure in the top 4 at a price in this. ROCHELLO (5) likes it here, and she was an easy BM75 winner on this track last start. Include. SUGGESTED PLAY: Martell should be hard to beat. |
|
6
|
02:32
|
FORDE AUTO SERVICES FAIRFAX HANDICAP 1200m
Hot pace certain with Miss Harley Quinn, Magnastar and Elegant Explosive keen to take up the running. LINARA (2) has been racing well since making the move from the North Island, and she was less than a length from the winner when finishing third at Wingatui nearly 3 weeks ago. He cops a wide gate, but he will still be among the hardest to beat in this. EXPLODE (7) continued the strong run of form for the Tapper team when winning as the favourite at Riccarton a month ago. He revels in wet ground, and from a handy draw, he can take the next step immediately. MONEY MUNCHER (5) finished a sound fifth in his penultimate start before posting an impressive last start maiden win 8 days ago. He has come along quickly this prep, and he is a likely type who should go right on with the job. Each way. GROVE STREET (10) has been racing consistently for the Pitman team, and another honest run can be expected. ELEGANT EXPLOSIVE (12) has found it hard to win another race, but her recent form has been solid. Knocking on the door with a last start second at Wingatui. Stick with her. SUGGESTED PLAY: Money Muncher each way. |
|
7
|
03:09
|
LIQUORLAND GORE GUINEAS 1200m
Queen Of Sheba and Miss Starlight possess good early speed. COOL AZA RENE (3) has been racing well all season in some strong fields, and she was brave once again when finishing runner-up by just over a length at Riccarton a fortnight ago. She cops a wide gate, but handles any track conditions, and she may just be too good for a very strong field here. ARCTIC JEWEL (10) caught the eye with a late finishing burst to nab second at Riccarton at her South Island debut, and she has had a trial since then. She also draws badly, but she has plenty of upside, and she is still an each-way chance in this. MAROKOPA FALLS (6) is a very quick filly who can make full use of her handy inside draw here. She was only half a length off the winner when finishing third last time out, and she would not be a shock winner. MISS STARLIGHT (5) did well and only peaked late after a tough trip from a wide gate in the Dunedin Guineas 5 weeks ago. Don't risk her in this. QUEEN OF SHEBA (9) bolted in fresh up when winning her maiden, and she has top 4 claims again. SUGGESTED PLAY: Marokopa Falls each way value in a very strong field. |
|
8
|
03:44
|
FRANCOLIN STAKES - ENTAIN/NZB INSURANCEPEARL SERIES RACE 1400m
Palace Princess to take charge ahead of Flash Roca at a solid tempo. THIRD DECREE (1) has been racing in good fields all season, and is now racing her way into some decent form again, including her last start third in the Breeders' Stakes at Riccarton a fortnight ago. She is nicely placed with only 55kg to carry here, and she will be hard to beat again. THE ENTERTAINER (5) has been beaten but far from disgraced in G3 company in her last couple of starts, and her form on heavy tracks at Riccarton before that was very good. She has a nice upgrade with her draw, and she can bounce back into the frame here. CONNELLO (4) was sixth in the Breeders' Stakes last time out, and dropping back from 1600m to 1400m should not be an issue, especially if the track is heavy. Stick with her. Each way. STOLEN MAGIC (3) weakened on her run in the Dunedin Cup 5 weeks ago over 2600m, and just battled over 2200m before that as the favourite. She is worth another chance over this trip, so don't drop her just yet. CANASTA (10) was a big BM65 winner last start. Include. SUGGESTED PLAY: The Entertainer each way. |
|
9
|
04:19
|
RIVERTON RURAL TRANSPORT RIVERTON CUP 2147m
Plenty of pace with Riviera Rebel and Vamos up front, pressured by Taimate Diva and Smooth Operator. SMOOTH OPERATOR (7) raced close to the pace, and fought very gamely when finishing fifth as the favourite in the Dunedin Cup 5 weeks ago, and he has been back to the trials since then. He demolished his rivals at Ascot Park in his penultimate start, and from a handy gate, he could even take this field all the way. Follow your money. RIVIERA REBEL (3) has been building up his fitness, and he found the good track against him last time out at Riccarton. If he strikes his preferred wet ground here, a form reversal is likely. Each way value. MAYOR OF NORWOOD (1) had to do too much work from a wide gate in the Dunedin Cup, and he weakened badly over the final stages. He has a good record on this track and is worth another chance. CAPO DELL IMPERO (2) made up many lengths when finishing runner-up in the Dunedin Cup, and he is likely to settle back here as well after copping a wide draw. Watch for him late. Include. ACCIDENTAL TOURIST (12) is very capable when in the right mood. Each way. SUGGESTED PLAY: Riviera Rebel each way in an even field. |
|
10
|
04:54
|
LAWSON FORESTRY CONTRACTING WAIPANGO HANDICAP 1600m
Looks to be plenty of pace with Stout and Highland Fling battling for the lead. RIPA TIME (9) was taken on in front, but still proved to be too strong here nearly 4 weeks ago when clearing her maiden status by over 4 lengths. She steps up to 1600m, and she should repeat the dose. WHO ROX THE HOUSE (4) made a winning South Island debut at Ascot Park by over 6 lengths, and then was third at Wingatui 5 weeks ago. She revels in the wet, and she is the main threat to the top pick. STOUT (12) has been disappointing since finishing runner-up when resuming at Ascot Park in the spring. He was a touch better last time out, and he is worth including in all top 4 combinations. DAVID MOSS (1) needed his fresh run badly here nearly 4 weeks ago, and will be a quick improver second up. A wide gate is no help, but on a heavy track, he is a top 4 chance at odds. JAIL BIRD (7) was third in a higher grade here in her penultimate start, and was running on late for fifth at Wingatui last time out. She handles the wet, and is another who can figure in the money here. SUGGESTED PLAY: Ripa Time should win again. |
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