| NUM |
TIME |
COMMENT |
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1
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12:05
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HAWKE'S BAY RACING EAST COAST CHALLENGE QUALIFIER MAIDEN 1200m
Iceland Poppy and Kirchmeyer to take up the running at a strong tempo. NEVER TOO MUCH (15) ran some good races as a juvenile, and was stakes placed in the Welcome Stakes here in April. He has been tuned up with a big trial win late last month, and with any luck from a nasty draw, he will be the one to beat. NOIVERN (1) will be fit after some solid efforts on the poly course here, and he has also placed 5 times from 10 starts on the turf here. Stick with him. KIRCHMEYER (3) resumes from a spell, and looks to have strengthened up after a couple of disappointing efforts to open his career. He is in good hands, and has to be respected fresh up. ICELAND POPPY (5) looked to peak on her run late when resuming at Timaru 6-days ago, and backing up quickly for her second run should mean that she has done very well since then. Keep her safe. SHAPESHIFTER (11) won the latest of 3 trials, and she has drawn perfectly for her debut. Follow any market confidence. SUGGESTED PLAY: Never Too Much can win this. |
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2
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12:37
|
NZB READY TO RUN SALE TRAINERS SERIES RATING 65 1200m
Reasonable tempo with a few going forward, headed by Eastandwest. MERCY (5) has been beaten less than a length in each of her runs back from a spell on this track, and she has a superior draw this time. Having 5 weeks between start will do her no harm, and she can go one better in this. MAD MAX (1) was beaten by half-a-length fresh up in the South Island for the first time for a new trainer 2 weeks ago. The step up to 1200m from 1000m will suit him, and he can take this out. Follow your money. THE BIG PICTURE (2) has recently joined the powerful David Walsh stable, and this 8YO veteran can perform fresh up. His record at the trip is strong, and he can have the last say. MAROKOPA FALLS (7) ran on strongly late when resuming over 1000m here 2 weeks ago, and her form in some strong 3YO fields last season will stand up nicely in this company. Stick with her. SUGGESTED PLAY: Mercy can win, but there are many chances in this. |
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3
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01:10
|
ZILCO RATING 65 1600m
Quisiera to take charge ahead of Trader Inn at a solid tempo. VALLEY KING (1) raced well over the recent Grand National Carnival on this course, and having 5-weeks between runs won't be a problem for this tough gelding. He is unbeaten in 2 starts over this trip on the track, and we have him on top again. SANTITA (7) unleashed an impressive burst out wide when making a winning South Island debut at Wingatui just 8-days ago. There is more depth to this field, but while in a good space, she can continue to race well. Go again. GRAFFITI ARTIST (8) ran some top races in strong fields during her 4-start 3YO season, and she can go right on with the job this prep. Watch for her late. LANIKAI (11) is capable on his day, and he can bob up here at lucrative money. Include in all top 4 combos. SUGGESTED PLAY: Valley King can take this out. |
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4
|
01:43
|
CONGRATS ZAC HARKESS NZ STABLEHAND OF THE YEAR RATING 65 2000m
El Ultimo should lead and control the tempo. NOBLE LEE (4) broke through for an overdue maiden win at his first start on the poly track here a month ago. He still raced greenly that day, so he still has more to offer, and there is no reason why he can't take the next step immediately. DON PAULY (1) does not win often, but he is usually very consistent, and though he was only seventh here 2 weeks ago, he can bounce back into the top 4 here, especially with an extra 200m to travel. SACRED ZED (2) ran on nicely for sixth at New Plymouth just 7-days ago, and he could be a Kevin Myers special backing up so quickly in another Island. He is suited to the pole position, and can figure in the top 3 this time. I DUNNET (8) was a bit plain when making his South Island debut here a fortnight ago, but expect him to be a lot sharper this time. Each way value. UNWOKE (6) stepped up in distance, and improved to finish a solid third in a similar field to this. He is peaking at the right time, and he has top 3 claims again. SUGGESTED PLAY: Sacred Zed each way. |
|
5
|
02:18
|
CANTERBURY WESTLAND RACING OWNERS ASSOCIATION RATING 75 2000m
Expecting Kick On to bounce to the front and lead from the low draw. KIWI MAGIC (8) ran out of condition fresh up here 2 weeks ago over 1800m, where a heavy track counted against him. He has shown some real quality at times, and it would be no surprise to see him win this. BALANCE OF POWER (7) may have not won for some time, but he is usually competitive at this level, as he was when finishing third as the favourite here 2 weeks ago. He has won 2 of his 3 starts over this trip, and if the surface is slightly firmer he is good enough to take this out. MISS SETH (6) continued her recent top form with another win, scoring on this track for the first time 2 weeks ago over 1800m. The extra 200m is no problem, and in her current space, she can complete the hat-trick. HENRY THOMAS (3) finished a game sixth behind the third pick in the same race when resuming from a spell, and he will only improve form here on out. Each way. MINESHAFT (12) treks South for his peak run third up from a spell, and he is now ready to show some form over a middle distance. SUGGESTED PLAY: Kiwi Magic each way. |
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6
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02:55
|
CUP WEEK TICKETS ON SALE NOW OPEN 1200m
Toa Haka to take charge ahead of La Bella Nera at a solid tempo. IRON HAWK (4) rushed through the grades last season, and ended that terrific prep with a narrow defeat by a head in the Easter Stakes in late April. The only query for us will be him resuming without any public trials, but his class will take him a long way to winning this. TROBRIAND (5) ran on powerfully late to finish second fresh up here 2 weeks ago over 1000m, and the extra 200m now is ideal. A firmer surface will also help him, and he can go one better. INSATIABLE (2) finished seventh in the same race as the second pick when resuming from his spell, and this 7YO gelding usually improves quickly with racing. Each way value this time. TOA HAKA (3) needed his fresh up run on the poly track here just over 3 weeks ago, and his form on the turf has been superior. Stick with him. MISS ZIGGY (10) is also fresh up, and she has not missed a cheque when resuming in 2 starts. She gets back, but is more than capable of having the last say at odds. SUGGESTED PLAY: Miss Ziggy each way value in a good field. |
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7
|
03:30
|
NZB CANTERBURY BELLE STAKES 1200m
Ardent Love, Gina Gillotti and Outback Girl to battle for the lead at a strong tempo. SWORD OF STARS (8) showed talent as a juvenile, and was probably a touch on the weak side. She makes her South Island debut, and her top stable would have had this race in mind for some time as an ideal target for her fresh up. A wide gate is no help, but she can still take this out. SWEETEST THING (1) is a stablemate of the top pick who has taken a similar path, after some good efforts as a juvenile in the North Island, and resuming off the back of a couple of strong trial efforts. Hard to beat. OUTBACK GIRL (2) dented a few reputations when scoring an effortless win here 2 weeks ago over 1000m, after showing a ton of early pace to race outside the leader. She has to get 1200m yet, but this season, she looks like she can go right through the grades. FINAL TIME (6) did not get warm on an unsuitable heavy track fresh up behind the third pick, but she can improve sharply with racing, so stick with her. NICCITA (14) got going late on debut, and she is not without some rough claims. SUGGESTED PLAY: Sweetest Thing each way. |
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8
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04:08
|
THE LITTLE HIRE COMPANY OPEN 1800m
Anticipate Riviera Rebel, Sunset Boulevard and Shaking Stevens to set a strong tempo. SHAKING STEVENS (5) chased home the top pick last start, and he will be peaking third up from a spell. He meets that runner better off at the weights this time, and he can turn the tables. RIVIERA REBEL (1) is another noted front runner who went end to end here 5 weeks ago. He might have to take a sit this time behind the top pick, but he will again give another great sight. COURT OF APPEAL (10) was doing his best work late behind the top pick in the same race a fortnight ago when resuming from a spell. He may need this run as well, but expect him to finish a lot closer. CANHEROC (11) has been freshened up, and will be targeting the NZ Cup in November, but he can still run into the top 4 here. SUGGESTED PLAY: Riviera Rebel can turn the tables and win this. |
|
9
|
04:45
|
RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE RATING 75 1400m
Expecting Miss Starlight to take up the lead at a genuine tempo. HAKKINEN (5) has needed time to mature, and he will be having his first run in the South Island fresh up from a spell. He is on target for a bold run after winning a recent trial at Ashburton, and if he can overcome a wide gate, he should be right in the thick of things. POWEROFPERSUASION (4) has been progressing nicely since relocating to the South Island to join up with the Terri Rae stables. She can bring her good poly track through to the turf surface here, and will be hard to hold out again. MISS STARLIGHT (8) needed the run fresh up on a heavy track, and she can improve quickly on a firmer surface. Stick with her for all top 4 combos. SMILING EYES (13) made a winning South Island debut when scoring a big 5-length win at Oamaru just over 4 weeks ago. Keep her very safe in this. SUGGESTED PLAY: Hakkinen can win, and Miss Starlight for some each-way value. |
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