Race 5: (R75 1200m)
Tempo: Average
The best of (2) ELUSIVE IMPACT at 1200m wins this race and appears to have found a winning opportunity. Recent form can be overlooked, cruelled by wide gates his past two starts and unable to get near the front where he’s performed at his best. Now a soft draw with blinkers on and peak fitness, rates a clear top pick. Best at a price is (8) FAKEITLIKUMAKEIT showed good ability as a young horse, started long odds to score here at his polytrack debut 14/5 with a game on-speed win enjoying the run of the race, maps to find an identical position stalking off the inside. Rated Top 3 chance, over the odds.
Suggested Bet: ELUSIVE IMPACT & FAKEITTILLUMAKEIT (VALUE)
Race 6: (R65 1400m)
Tempo: Average
(6) PAX MUNDI caught the eye at the trials for the new stable. A massive drifter in the market fresh ($5-$11) here and ran accordingly. Strong late support second-up and chased a fast speed with a strong finish giving the lead horse weight and good enough to run her down. Expect this to prove an excellent form reference and looks another good winning chance third-up ready to peak on the 54kg minimum.
Suggested Bet: PAX MUNDI (Best)
Race 7: (R65 1600m)
Tempo: Average
(1) POWEROFPERSUASION was impressive in defeat making her South Island debut for new trainer Terri Rae. The race rated extremely well and she worked hard early to get outside lead on a fast tempo. Although she was outsprinted in the straight she kept coming at the line and that gives her a perfect platform into this race second-up where she can lead on a softer speed. With a repeat performance she is the most likely winner of this race.
Suggested Bet: POWEROFPERSUASSION (Next Best)
Race 8: (R65 1400m)
Tempo: Average
Controlling the speed of the race is (8) MIRAQUA from barrier 2 and (11) RED LABEL from barrier 4, the latter can be ridden aggressive to take the front. She is now third-up and improved significantly between runs last start, only run down late by a better class of horse. The 2kg rise in weight is offset by an infinitely weaker field she meets this time around. If the speed is on early the best of the closing bunch is (2) MY SHARONA, a very tricky draw for jockey Alan Lai to navigate, the pilot yet to make an impression with his 2kg allowance in NZ, 5 wins from 86 rides. (6) DAKOTA is a talented filly by Super Seth, her polytrack debut had excuses, back and wide in an on-pace dominated race, need to see again before having confidence to bet on this surface.
Suggested Bet: RED LABEL
