| NUM |
TIME |
COMMENT |
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1
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01:00
|
VETS ON RIVERBANK THREE YEAR OLD 1400m
Only a small field with Fantabulous likely to find a comfortable lead. EMMA TWIGG (7) won her debut easily, and she then tried hard last time out when finishing fourth in the same race as the top pick. Craig Grylls will replace an apprentice, and she can bounce straight back into the money here. COUNTRY SALON (1) set the pace and fought hard for second at Waverley last start. A good draw should secure him the run of the race, so stick with him. AL AZHAR (6) showed a lot of courage when winning her maiden at Avondale on a testing track just over 2 weeks ago. The small field here will help her, and she can repeat the dose. FANTABULOUS (5) set the pace here on debut and was only claimed late, finishing a game fifth. He has a good gate, and though he is still a maiden, he could steal this. AWESOME STORY (8) won a trial before producing a flat run here on debut. She will improve with more racing, and a small field is an advantage. Taking notes. SUGGESTED PLAY: Country Salon can win this. |
|
2
|
01:36
|
OTAKI TYRE REPAIRS MAIDEN 1600m
Zeddiani and Djibouti will settle forward and can set a moderate tempo. LOOSE ENZ (5) ran a much better race for fourth when having just his second start at Avondale 16 days ago, finishing fourth over this trip. He was well-found in the market that day, and he will be peaking third up. Hard to beat this time. TERESA MAC (9) stuck to her task gamely when trying to make all the running in a far stronger field at Trentham nearly 4 weeks ago, finishing runner-up by a nose. She has the right draw to lead this field early on, and she can take them all the way this time. ATAVUS (2) is a patiently handled 5YO having just his fifth start. Each way claims in this. CHIBRAH (3) should have finished a lot closer when fourth at Hawera last week, and he would have taken no harm from that effort. With some better luck, he can take this out. DJIBOUTI (12) bounced back into form with a sound third at Pukekohe, and she has no trouble with a heavy track. Include. SUGGESTED PLAY: Loose Enz each way in a competitive field. |
|
3
|
02:12
|
THE TELE OTAKI HANDICAP 1200m
Cremant to take charge ahead of Bernardo at a strong tempo. FOXGLOVE (7) battled away when needing her fresh run at Pukekohe just over 3 weeks ago. Her only win has come second up in the past, and from a handy gate, she will be a quick improver. HE'S LUCID (1) has been freshened since a fair effort at New Plymouth. His only career win was at G3 level, so you know he has the talent to win a race like this. BERNARDO (2) resumes from a spell, and the market will be the best guide. Include. LUMINANCE (11) resumes from a short spell, and her best efforts have been on heavy tracks. She is stronger now, and a recent Tauranga trial win will ensure that she is ready to rumble fresh. BELLA'S BOY (4) steadily improved in some stronger fields than this during his spring campaign, and he has more than his share of natural talent. He won a recent trial, and he would not be a shock winner fresh. Follow the market moves. SUGGESTED PLAY: He's Lucid each way. |
|
4
|
02:52
|
CAVALLO FARM & CHRIS RUTTEN BLOODSTOCK HANDICAP 2100m
A solid tempo on the cards with Highly Lethal taking charge. PROBOY (5) was keyed up in the barriers but still proved to be too strong at Whanganui nearly 6 weeks ago. He is at his best when it is wet, and he meets a modest open grade field for his first attempt at this level. He stays on the same weight as last time, and despite the gap between runs, he can repeat the dose. THE UNDERBELLY (2) has been freshened after a poor run at Matamata in a better field there nearly 8 weeks ago. He loves it here, which is an advantage, and in this field, he is worth another chance. COMEDY (3) hit the line strongly for fifth fresh up at Waverley 2 weeks ago over 1650m. The extra 450m is ideal, and on a wet track, he can run into the top 3 this time. HIGHLY LETHAL (6) will be backing up quickly from a tough run for fourth at Whanganui 6 days ago. He is the likely leader, and he is worth including. SUGGESTED PLAY: Proboy can win this. |
|
5
|
03:32
|
FASTINTERNET.NZ HANDICAP 2100m
Pace only fair with Maryrose rolling to the lead ahead of Platinum Tyche and Indian Pacific. PLATINUM TYCHE (6) ran on late fresh up, and then just missed over this trip here nearly 2 weeks ago. She is peaking at the right time, and she is poised to go one better. MARYROSE (7) has shown a lot of courage in her last couple of starts, and another honest effort can be expected. DARK AND DUSTY (8) has been thereabouts, and he is worth including in all top 4 combos to be safe. LANTERN WAY (4) ran a much better race for fourth when stepping out to a middle distance for the first time this prep. He is much better when the tracks are heavy, and he should go close to taking this out. EARLY ONE'S (3) was a well-deserved winner at Waverley 2 weeks ago over 1600m, and he is ready now for another attempt at a middle distance. Each way claims again. SUGGESTED PLAY: Maryrose each way. |
|
6
|
04:09
|
JENNIAN HOMES ANZAC 1600m
Solid tempo anticipated with Riverplate leading the way. ZANTABULOUS (12) was last seen 5 weeks ago when finishing runner-up at Pukekohe in BM75 company, and the form from that race has since been franked in group class. She revels in wet ground and is ideally placed with only 53kg to carry this time. She deserves her chance to add some valuable black type to her pedigree page. OMEGA BOY (4) will be backing up quickly after finishing eighth in the G3 Easter Handicap 6 days ago at Ellerslie on a day when they weren't running on. He can settle midfield from the pole position, and if the tempo is genuine, he can have the last say in this. RIVERPLATE (11) was a gritty all the way winner at Whanganui 6 days ago. His record over this trip is not so flash, but he is very honest on a heavy track, and can figure in the top 3 here. HE'S A DOOZY (1) was an upset winner of the Awapuni Gold Cup at Trentham over 2100m, and he is just as good over 1600m. He can never be ruled out of winning a race like this on a wet track. CHASE (2) has each-way claims. SUGGESTED PLAY: Omega Boy each way. |
|
7
|
04:49
|
HARCOURTS OTAKI HANDICAP 1400m
Not a great deal of pressure likely in the small field, with Exit Left a potential leader. EXIT LEFT (3) showed a lot of grit to win fresh up in BM65 class at Whanganui, and then went back off a wide gate at Waverley last time out in this company, and just plugged away late in the run home that day. Expect a more positive ride early here, and he is well worth another chance. Each way value. ERBYS DARCI (5) won a nice race in his penultimate start at New Plymouth, and then was fair to the line in a tougher field at Trentham nearly 4 weeks ago over 1600m. He is better than that and can bounce straight back into the money here. COMPLEX (2) is a lightly tried 7YO gelding, who was a game third in a 5-horse field last start. He is honest, and he is worth including in all combos. SPERLARI (8) ran on too late at Hawera over 1600m last start, and probably prefers a softer surface. Stick with her on an each-way basis. SUGGESTED PLAY: Exit Left each way value. |
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