Race 2: (R75 1100m)
Tempo: Below Average
The expectation is the topweight (1) NICCONI COUNTY will take his place in the later event on the card. With that, only two runners have the speed to control, (2) SCOLERA was backed as if unbeatable here last time and led up at a slow tempo and was outsprinted by Nicconi County. It was a disappointing effort, dropping back to 1100m may help. Like the way (8) WITHALLMYGRACE has returned at the trials and on race-day this prep, the winkers added her past two have made a notable improvement with her finishing off her races, including a dogged win last start on heavy at Te Aroha. Up in grade, perfect map outside the leader with a fitness advantage on the better horses (5) BETHANY DEE and (7) VICTOR TANGO the stablemates resuming.
Suggested Bet: WITHALLMYGRACE (VALUE $10)
Race 5: (R65 1600m)
Tempo: Average
Key form reference for this event is the fast run R65/1400 held on 18/07 at this track with four runners lining up having coming through it. The overs in the market is 1st emergency (15) BILLY BLINX a difficult ride for Erin Leighton running around in the straight. The winkers come off and blinkers go on, with a strong rider in George Rooke taking over, he finds a similar run in transit settling midfield with (9) MISS SETH whose form is faultless, trained on the track and sure to give a sight once more. Kenn to play both runners in the race.
Suggested Bets: BILLY BLINX & MISS SETH
Race 6: (G3 3YO SW 1200m)
Tempo: Above Average
Well-related filly (7) SHALABIYA is a half-sister to Crocetti and was an impressive trialist. She then smashed her opposition and the clock winning at this course over 1200m on debut with a smart ride from a wide gate. A strong tempo puts her in the box-seat to repeat the effort at stakes level and only has one horse to fear in the locally-trained (6) SHE’S NO SAINT who benefited from a track downgrade last start putting away a modest field at 1100m, her chances would further increase on a heavy track.
Suggested Bet: SHALABIYA (Best)
Race 7: (Open 1400m)
Tempo: Above Average
Race of the day. A two-bet play with the returning (4) LEVAKIA, a standout performer at the Te Rapa trials recently. A two-time course winner, one of those landing a significant betting move in the Winter Champs Final when she was backed from $6 into $2.80. The speed runners engaged hold the key to her winning hopes as she will need the gaps to open up from an inside draw. (1) CLUEDO LANE is a G3 winner and good fresh horse with lofty targets in the spring, he’s also a bold front-runner who can reel off fast splits and sustain it as we saw last campaign for new trainer Joseph Waldron. He’s over the odds in the early betting. The other speed influence is dual-nominated (6) NICCONI COUNTY in rare form, beating up moderate fields at the level and this is another step up in a deep race. (5) MOSINVADER draws a sweet marble but is a non-winner and (2) REWARD SMILE received a dream run at Te Rapa two back when heavily punted then reared at the start and never a factor last time, he was a noted betting drifter on the day and hard to line him up.
Suggested Bets: LEVAKIA & CLUEDO LANE
Race 8: (R65 1400m)
Tempo: Average
One of two value plays on the day comes up in the last with (8) CHICAGO DREAM, won fresh up and then received a great ride in defeat two back by Jack Taplin leading at a good gallop and only swamped late by Miss Seth. He was then back in distance last start and snicked from the jump settling at the rear under Masa Hashizume and made ground late. Jack Taplin reunites and has the speed at his mercy if he chooses to be positive. With a confident ride he is an excellent bet at the odds in a wide open race.
Suggested Bet: CHICAGO DREAM (Value $10)
