Ruakaka 12 Jul 2025
GOING: H(8)
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NORTHPINE WAIPU CUP 1400m Track: SOFT 6 Out 8m |
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Slick tempo with Trigon Lad to lead but under plenty of pressure in a keen early contest. MERCURIAL (1) won a couple of trials before finishing fifth in a 6-horse field fresh up at Te Rapa 4 weeks ago. He will find the firmer surface that he is looking for up here, and a form reversal is on the cards. SAINT BATHANS (2) did not have much luck here 2 weeks ago and has a senior rider back in the saddle this time. His tough run for second in his penultimate start is the guide to use, and he is good enough to take this out. ILLICIT DREAMS (4) is a locally trained mare who has not missed a cheque in 7 starts on her home track, including 2 wins. She was a brave third on this track last time out when setting the pace and could take some pegging back again. REWARD SMILE (6) put in a solid effort for fifth here a fortnight ago and will be spot on with his fitness fourth up from a spell. He is nicely weighted and worth including in all combinations to be safe. FONTEYN (3) normally performs well on this track and could have needed her last start here. She is worth another chance. SUGGESTED PLAY: Boxing up Mercurial, Saint Bathans, and Illicit Dreams in a quinella.
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| 1 | 700x5 |
MERCURIAL
STEPHEN MARSH 6YO BAY GELDING 60.0KG EST LATE C T JONES, M D DARVILL, A W FLEXMAN, T J MYERS, T W PHILLIPS, R I WYETH First-up after four months second last in a small field at Te Rapa on June 14 over 1200m, on heavy track; 6 len behind Twain carrying 57.5kg at $15.40. Previously second-up 5th of 11 at Te Rapa in the LR Lgcy Ldg Sprint on November 9 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Babylon Berlin carrying 59kg at $11.20. Rates highly and expected to finish much closer. |
3 JACK TAPLIN |
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| 2 | 8x426 |
SAINT BATHANS
ANDREW FORSMAN 6YO BAY GELDING 55.0KG HAYDEN & LISA DILLON Most recently 6th of 10 at this track on June 28 over 1400m, slow going 3 len behind Sterling Express carrying 54kg at $5. The race before that ran on from midfield; 2nd of 10 at Te Rapa on June 14 over 1600m, in the wet; long-neck behind Soldier Boy with 54kg at $6.20. Capable of sharp improvement. |
6 JOE DOYLE |
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| 3 | x0038 |
FONTEYN
RALPH MANNING 7YO BAY MARE 55.0KG MRS J M & T HOBSON Most recently raced behind the speed prior to fading 8th of 10 at this track on June 28 over 1400m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Sterling Express carrying 53kg at $13.50. The race before that 3rd in a small field at Te Aroha on June 2 over 1150m, in the wet; 3.5 len behind Twain carrying 59.5kg at $17.70. Can make her presence felt. |
5 RIHAAN GOYARAM |
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| 4 | 54663 |
ILLICIT DREAMS
KENNY RAE 4YO BAY MARE 54.0KG K RAE, S RAE, C LOW, S RUMBLE & A RUMBLE At the latest run rolled along in front then was edged out late 3rd of 10 at this track on June 28 over 1400m, on a slow track; 0.5 len behind Sterling Express with 54kg at $13.40. The run before that ran last in a small field at Te Rapa on June 14 over 1200m, on rain affected going; 11 len behind Twain carrying 54kg at $20. Can improve again. Will take plenty of beating. |
1 JASMINE FAWCETT |
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| 5 | 6x021 |
KEEGAN
BEN & RYAN FOOTE 6YO BAY GELDING 54.0KG BEN FOOTE, BRYAN HENRY, JOHN STEWART & POO MASTERS Last start favourite; won by 0.8 len at Cambridge Synthetic June 18 over 1550m defeating Billy Lincoln carrying 60.5kg at $5.30. The run before that 2nd of 11 at Cambridge Synthetic on June 4 over 1300m, 3.5 len behind Lhasa with 58kg at $3.80. Each way claims. |
4 V A COLGAN |
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| 6 | 0x545 |
REWARD SMILE
JENNA MAHONEY 5YO BAY GELDING 54.0KG L L LEE & MS V TANG Most recently got back early 5th of 10 at this track on June 28 over 1400m, slow going 2 len behind Sterling Express with 54kg at $6.60. The race before that 4th of 7 at Ellerslie on June 7 over 1100m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Pokuru Gold with 58kg at $10.10. Not too bad in three runs this time in for a new yard. Place and first four hope. |
7 A LAWSON-CARROLL |
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| 7 | 3886x |
TRIGON LAD
MICHAEL ROGERS 9YO BAY GELDING 54.0KG DUNCAN EQUINE PARTNERSHIP & MICHAEL ROGERS Finished off last preparation second last of 7 at Pukekohe March 21 over 1400m, on heavy track; 5.5 len behind Chattahoochee carrying 52kg at $26.50. When resuming last campaign fifth of 11 at Pukekohe Hcp April 6 2024 over 1300m, 3.5 len behind Rudyard carrying 54kg at $34.20. Might need a run or two. |
8 YUGA OKUBO |
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| 8 | x6021 |
KAIMAI QUEEN
GLEN OLD 7YO BAY MARE 54.0KG PEAK RACING Dual acceptor. Most recently won by 1.75 len at Te Aroha June 22 over 1150m in heavy going defeating Inca Belle carrying 56.5kg at $8.10. The start before that 2nd in a small field at Te Aroha on June 2 over 1150m, in the wet; 1.3 len behind Twain carrying 51kg at $28.20. Back in form and another bold showing is expected. |
2 ELEN NICHOLAS |
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