MATAMATA

TEEN TITAN: Luck was against him when running second on his home track earlier this month. Race 2 on Saturday is the ideal opportunity to go one better.

Place your bet here.

AWAPUNI

Race 3        MANAWATU ITM AWAPUNI HURDLES          2900m

The Prestige Jumping Season kicks-off in the Central Districts on Saturday with a very even field of prestige hurdles set to face the starter.  Currently, we have a Dead Track but the weather forecast in the mighty Manawatu isn’t flash so I am anticipating a Heavy Track prevailing by post time and with this in mind, I am steering towards the MYERS and FANNIN combination via AIGNE.  Adept in the mud he also has a fantastic hurdling record winning 2/3, only going down narrowly to race rival TRISHA LEA at his very first start. He has been restricted to the flat thus far this season but should be ready to rumble and be right in the firing line at the post.

The chances, however, don’t end there and I wouldn’t purposely steer anyone away from others in the race including the stylish Waikato Hurdle winner TOMMYRA (although he will need a new rider with Hamish McNEILL, unfortunately, forced to comply with the Level 3 Lockdown restrictions) BAD BOY BROWN who will be improved immensely from that first-up at Waikato, ZENTANGLE who is way better than his last run, NO TIP another with a very strong hurdle record and another who will love the weather forecast, plus the up and comer’s GRINNER and TRISHEA LEA,  both very capable of an upset.

Suggested Bet:  AIGNE appeals as a solid each-way chance with BAD BOY BROWN, NO TIP and TOMMYRA the basis of my FIRST FOUR

Place your bet here.

 

Race 5        LJ HOOKER MANAWATU STEEPLECHASE       4400m

Another really even field of steeplechasers have been assembled for this year’s event, but for me, it with the brilliant WISE MEN SAY condensing the handicap I see 3 main chances in this years chase that been TAI HO, GAME PERCY and DES DE JEU.

TAI HO returns to jumping after suffering an injury early last season. Ellis WINSLOW is a master trainer of jumpers and has given him a sound base on the flat in preparation in the south prior to venturing north. Don’t be fooled by his current form-line this is a horse who has at times had the wood on DELACROIX and we all know how close he went at Te Rapa and has imposing steeplechase stats.

 GAME PERCY is the defending Champ and again the Myers and Fannin combination has to be respected as the horse seem to love a wet Awapuni track so I expect him to be right there BUT IN THE END this year I’m electing to go with the locals and DES DE JEU. Mark OULAGHAN has always had a capable jumper around him and the horse's last start second to Grinner over the hurdles indicated to me that this could be his year.  He promised plenty when he made world headline winning on this course with rider Aaron KURU 2 years ago and although he sometimes chance’s some of his fences he has looked more comfortable this season at the PTP and jumping trials. This Saturday presents him with his chance for a fantastic group of owners who have been long time supporters of the Jumping game.

Suggested Bet: DES DE JEU to finally take a step to stardom.

Place your bet here.

 

JUMPING TIPS FOR THE WEEKEND

MANAWATU

Race      1             BAK DA MASTER              FFP

Race      2             THE POORMANZABEEL  FFP

Race      3             AIGNE                                 FFW

Race      4             ZARTAN                              FFP

Race      5             DES DE JEU                        FFW       (ANY3 or 4)

TE AROHA SUNDAY

Race      1             RICHARD OF YORK          FFW

Race      2             Al HARAM                         FFP

Race      4             ZED MAN                           FFW      

PLUS ABLAZE TO COMPLETE THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND NATIONAL DOUBLE (ANY 4)