Race 1: (MAAT/1400m)
Speed is even set by (11) BOLI BELLE.
(2) SPEED LEGOCY landed a plunge ($6 into $3) winning at Te Rapa coming through a key form race at Ellerslie, it was a good win, fast out and fast home, this race sets up similar coming across and slotting in behind the lead speed. Deserved favourite, an unknown in wet conditions. (12) OUR LURRINA is bred in the purple and defeated Atkins first-up at this course in December, unsighted since, a big watch in betting if she’s here to win the stable rarely miss. (7) ATKINS ran time winning at Ellerlsie and form franked behind her, heavily-backed at Waverley but left with too much to do, beaten narrowly. Needs speed on and unlikely to receive. (8) GALLINDA represents value, building a decent profile, race shape against at Rotorua then broke through sitting wide at Pukekohe, her last start performance added further merit up in grade when trapped wide again, entitled to fade yet gave a strong kick (3rd fastest L600/400 of the race) another bad barrier, if out wide is the place to be she is a genuine Top 4 chance in this field and @$27 over the odds.
Suggested Bet: GALLINDA
Race 6: (F&M SW+P/1400m)
The speed is moderate only.
Scratchings have savaged this field. (8) SMART LOVE has been tried at the mile last couple and it has nullified her best asset which is her sprint, back to 1400m on her preferred conditions with the extra fitness brings her into winning contention. (3) MARY SHAN was arguably unlucky not to win the Jo Giles Stakes at Ellerslie when camped behind winner and surged at the line late, beaten by a good ride. Taking on the fillies and mares again albeit a stronger field assembled, she has two positives in her favour, excels on wet ground and blinkers can see her front half and steering a path to preferred ground. (4) OUR JUMALA returned in good order first-up at New Plymouth, this mare is the best wet-tracker in the field, a second-up winner and should be forward half, no shock to see her in the finish, rated Top 4 chance and over the odds.
Suggested Bets: SMART LOVE & OUR JUMALA
Race 8: (Open/2000m)
The speed has come right out of the race post-scratchings.
This will become a grind late in the day and two horses with recent racing and fitness stand above the rest. (3) HE’S A DOOZY is getting long in the tooth but racing in great heart, set a task last start in the Group 3 Trentham Stakes rising 1600-2100 caught wide and went forward, he presented to win but couldn’t sustain the effort. That should bring him on nicely for this 2000m event on heavy ground. (6) GIGI drops back from 2400 out of a Group 3 where he was no match, form prior was career-best, switching left-handed is the query.
Suggested Bet: HE’S A DOOZY
