Race 1: (MDN 1600m)
Tempo: Average
The 6YO gelding by Staphanos (4) EDISON makes his debut after a number of impressive trials for trainer Mark Oulaghan and is a close relation to stablemate Rocking Light. He’s been a model of professionalism as a potential staying-type and looked his best when put in a trial with race-day speed at Waipukurau over 1400m. Makes his debut at 1600m and rates a Top 4 chance at the odds.
Suggested Bet: EDISON (Roughie)
Race 2: (3YO SW+P 1200m)
Tempo: Average
On-speed can be an advantage early in the day and backing the aggressive placement from an astute local barn Johno Benner for their debutant (4) SECURER, a Time Test gelding, won a fast 1000m trial with ease at Foxton early August and then re-appeared later in that month with a close-up 2nd in a strong heat. He’s won a Levin jumpout earlier this month and Bruno Queiroz is a key rider engagement taking on race winners for his debut against an albeit moderate bunch.
Suggested Bet: SECURER
Race 3: (R75 1200m)
Tempo: Above Average
Extreme amount of on-speed runners engaged. (3) CREMANT, (7) COCOBILL, (6) BENERRO and (9) GREAT ESCAPE are all vying for forward spots. Plays into the hands of the map horse of this event in (5) PART TIME LOVER resuming for the elite first-up stable of Cody Cole. Proven at the level with Sam Collett riding, only needs the gaps to appear to produce her big sprint and fighting out the finish. (1) ZORERO is hard to knock chasing a hat trick of wins coming off the Hawkes Bay carnival, wide gate and topweight are the negatives, the speed on is favourable, expect him to be charging late with any luck in running.
Suggested Bet: PART TIME LOVER (Value)
Race 5: (OPEN 1400m)
Tempo: Average
The (4) AMAZING SON should prove hard to beat in this open class event, been getting back in his races since stepping up to the higher level and stormed home in the G3 sprint at Hastings last start in a race dominated up front, back to open class with a soft draw and we know can be put into a race early and that would be the instructions if he’s there to win on what is excepted to be a moderate tempo only. (5) UNCLE ARCH is one of many Bryce Newman’s horse bouncing at the trials to resume as we saw with Bee Precious winning at Trentham last week, this guy went to a career peak last campaign and his returning trials suggest he can sprint well fresh at 1400m before getting out in trip. One to play at odds.
Suggested Bets: AMAZING SON (Best) & UNCLE ARCH (Top 4)
Race 8: (R65 2100m)
Tempo: Above Average
(2) STEADFAST was three weeks between runs with a trial in between at Riccarton, opened favourite in the market and was a massive market drifter trading at double figures at the jump. Trapped wide throughout, not pushed around in the straight, big effort to finish close-up and in the money. Rise to 2100m is ideal for this staying-type by Eminent, however, does carry the 60kg and has to come from the back, speed on should suit. Clearly the most progressive horse in the race, with even luck he’s in the finish again.
Suggested Bet: STEADFAST
