Race 2: (R69 2140m)
Tempo: Average
(1) SUBTLE IMAGE earned his 3kg weight rise with an impressive last start win this course & distance overcoming a messy ride giving up the lead through the mid-stages, he peeled off their backs & attacked the line with gusto with blinkers back on the gelding for the first time in 18 months. The key to his winning chances is another positive ride with what could be a problematic speed map if they choose to go back on a moderate speed. Map players will find (6) WENEEDASHOCK with the weight advantage if Subtle Image is ridden negative, now hard & fit getting deeper into his prep.
Suggested Bet: SUBTLE IMAGE
Race 3: (MDN 2YO & UP 1200m)
Tempo: Average
(6) BEE PRECIOUS is incredibly well-placed to break through in this maiden in a race with very little speed engaged so the expectation is she will be too fast for this field, the only challenger on the map is (8) PINKY PIE who was awful last start on the Riccarton Synthetic at 1400m, led at a modest clip and popped. Hard to recommend despite coming back in distance and will have to work from a wide draw.
Suggested Bet: BEE PRECIOUS (Best)
Race 5: (MDN 2YO&UP 1700m)
Tempo: Average
May pay to overlook the race-day form of (5) STEADFAST, an Eminent gelding with the Kevin Myers stable, his performances at the Foxton trials suggest a forward showing is expected first-up at 1700m having done plenty of work leading in. He did win a trial on a fast track early in his career and should have no problem with the synthetic surface. We are opposing (1) RICHARD FARRELL from the bad draw, he was heavily-backed into odds-on in a similar maiden last start and was humbled by a rank outsider who ran good time to win off the front. Been given many chances.
Suggested Bet: STEADFAST
Race 6: (R74 1700m)
Tempo: Above Average
Potential for this race to be run at speed. (1) AL PASSO ran good time to measure up in this higher grade winning his maiden off the front in a dramatic form reversal switching from turf to poly. He’s our likely leader with (4) WONDERBOY coming across from a wider draw. Best at odds on the card is (8) ANAROA stepping up in distance after running on strongly last start in a fast run 1400m, that is a solid platform for this and if the speed does eventuate he does have the closing speed to be in the finish. Rated Top 3 chance and over the odds in early markets.
Suggested Bet: ANAROA (Value)
