Race 5: (Open Steeple 4250m)
Tempo: Average
(3) LORD SPENCER has been very impressive winning back-to-back steeple races this campaign, he’s always been a good jumper but has now matured and able to switch off in his races allowing him to finish strongly as he did bolting in at Woodville last start over 4800m. Takes on the champion jumper (2) NEDWIN our likely leader and gets 4kg off him which can prove the difference when they knuckle down in the run to the wire.
Suggested Bet: LORD SPENCER
Race 6: (R65 1600m)
Tempo: Average
This looks a set play third-up for (4) ON SHAW, the recent addition to the Nial Quinn stable this campaign and produced an impressive win first-up at Wanganui at the mile off just one trial and 258 days out. He then raced flat at New Plymouth sitting wide with cover and forced to make a long run, tiring late. He now draws a low gate and is a horse that can settle close to the speed with in-form apprentice Hayley Hassman back aboard. Clear horse to beat.
Suggested Bet: ON SHAW (Best)
Race 7: (R65 1600m)
Tempo: Above Average
With the speed drawn out, expecting this race to be run at a genuine speed early and bring those that are midfield and back into the race coming off the big sweeping bend. (1) BUNDY caught the eye at the Foxton trials doing sharp work late in a fast heat and also won a Levin jumpout during the week beating stablemate SHEAF, a subsequent race-day winner. He’s fresh into this race and stable like to target this week with their runners. They are also a ruthless betting stable and any market moves require attention. The (5) THE HARES EARS is a good galloper by Castledale, the mare is crying out for a trip after six consecutive runs at 1400m, the latest of those a good closing 6th at this course last start, she’s now six weeks between runs, the race sets up well for her if she’s ready to go, late betting will be key.
Suggested Bets: BUNDY & THE HARES EARS
Race 8: (R75 1400m)
Tempo: Average
Excellent race for the talented (2) SHAWSHANK to post a hat trick of wins under new trainer Sam Wynne. She has the 6YO gelding in career-best form and comes in off a fast win at Oamaru where he worked both ends of the race from a wide barrier and held a strong gallop to the line. Drawing the inside, he maps to control the tempo once again and weighted to advantage over his main threat (1) HE’S LUCID, an unreliable beast who was heavily-supported to win fresh at Hawera off a smart trial, needs it wet to show his best but will have to carry all of his 60kg to victory from his starting position back in the field.
Suggested Bet: SHAWSHANK
Race 10: (R75 1800m)
Tempo: Above Average
Two mares in winning form represent value in the finale. (10) TAVI ANN has raced exclusively at 2000m and beyond since arriving in the Blackadder stable and was dominant winning over 2200m at Oamaru. Best figures are at a mile and coming back in distance no negative for this mare. Will give them a start and be charging home. Another backmarker with a big finish is (13) PROUDTOBEHERE, a well-bred Belardo mare thriving on wet tracks and in career-best form, she goes to 1800m for the first time and maps to come wide with a smother late in the day. If she can run out the trip she profiles as a winning chance at odds in an open race.
Suggested Bets: TAVI ANN & PROUDTOBEHERE
