Race 1: (R74 1550m)
Tempo: Below Average
Map horse and likely leader from the inside is (1) WHAT A YARN for the flying Chris Wood stable, a difficult ride and a horse that needs a strong jockey, he comes into this hard & fit and in winning form proving too good on-speed at Ruakaka last start. A two-time winner on the poly, the speed map gives him every chance to carry the 61kg to victory dictating the tempo.
Suggested Bet: WHAT A YARN
Race 3: (MDN 1300m)
Tempo: Average
Connections of (3) CONFECTIONIST have finally succumbed after nine failed attempts on turf to now debut on the local polytrack where she is a two-time trial winner and has looked at home on the surface. In a small field where this is an even tempo expected she finds a suitable race to clear her long time maiden tag landing in the front pairing with Michael McNab aboard. The (4) TOSS is likely to be the best horse to come out of the race but is well under the odds in the market as a filly with no gate speed and drawn the inside, there is a significant rider change with Craig Grylls replacing the apprentice which may help in the early stages, however, the map is ugly and will need luck getting off heels in the straight.
Suggested Bet: CONFECTIONIST (Next Best)
Race 4: (R80 1300m)
Tempo: Above Average
Topweight (1) LHASA is easily forgiven for his defeat when heavily-backed this course & distance last start, after a good beginning he was ridden too conservative from the 600m-200m with the apprentice Tom Wigram swinging off the 6YO gelding and bringing the backmarkers up around him at the turn, subsequently outsprinted in the straight. A free-rolling horse capable of running fast time when sent and gets another opportunity in the small field.
Suggested Bet: LHASA (Best)
Race 7: (MDN 2000m)
Tempo: Average
The locally-trained filly (7) BOOGALOO defied her starting price and ordinary trial efforts to make an impressive debut in a strong form race on the polytrack, over 1550m. She was slow to muster and settled at the rear before producing the best L400/200m of the race and ran out of ground late, unlucky not to win. That debut run screams 2000m which she gets but will need to use the good draw to be closer this time against what is a very moderate maiden field.
Suggested Bet: BOOGALOO
