Race 2: (R75 2400m)
Tempo: Below Average
Two-bet play. The lack of speed gives (12) PURE BARS an obvious winning chance as the clear speed runner with blinkers replacing the ear covers, he was backed in at a price at Ellerslie and ridden against market expectations and snagged backwards from a wide gate. The issue is he’s now 42 days between runs, fitness the query, if up to the mark he’s over the odds as a genuine each-way chance. (2) GOLD CURRENCY went to the 2400m quickly last start when just third-up in the preparation and was barbecued three-wide without cover, he stuck on ok, still needs to prove himself at 2400m and gets a soft draw to make his case, the horse to beat. Class runner and topweight (1) NOTABADSPILLANE can be excused last start held up at a key stage in a stronger race and lost all momentum having to make his run in the inferior ground in the straight. Will need luck again.
Suggested Bet: GOLD CURRENCY & PURE BARS
Race 3: (3YO SW+P 1200m)
Tempo: Fast
Race of the day. Speed is hot early. Map horse is the impressive debut winner (5) AURORA BELLE, she had good market support and enjoyed the perfect run stalking a fast tempo, her final clip was only modest but she was not emptied out and eased down to the line. That was on a S5 track, she can improve further on a H9 as trials suggest and finds a similar race shape to the debut. Expecting the market to come for Group 2 winner (1) SWISS PRINCE well in at the weights after the claim and clear class runner, trials also suggest he’s come back ready to win, however, the map is ugly, (3) ARMAGH, (4) ANGELS BREW and (6) FLYHALF have all drawn inside him and have the speed to hold him out, if he’s going to win he’ll need luck.
Suggested Bet: AURORA BELLE (Best)
Race 5: (Open 1200m)
Tempo: Above Average
(9) JETHRO TULL was enormous in defeat first-up off two trials when taking on the open class for the first time, he rode a genuine speed crossing from a wide gate and gave a strong kick under pressure. He gets a like-for-like rider change with Rooke replacing Kennedy and a positive map outside leader (5) CLEAT or can look to take up the running depending on the track pattern. This race no deeper than his last and has a winning second-up profile, a good opportunity to pick up another win.
Suggested Bet: JETHRO TULL (Next Best)
Race 8: (R65 1600m)
Tempo: Average
(1) BANNEN and (18) MISTER MEANER will go forward and (7) SHAMELESS BOY could inject speed if positive from a wide gate. (3) STARCLAN is building to another win, settled closer to the speed last start in a midfield position and charged home in an on-pace dominated race. Sam Collett is an excellent choice of rider and should have this horse in another prominent winning position. That would give him the edge over (10) AFTERGLO who has an impressive finish, hasn’t been afforded any winning chance in two runs this preparation getting too far back in her races, will again need favours from the draw.
Suggested Bet: STARCLAN
