Best Bets

Race 2 - #6 FOREVER BABE (WIN)

Smart recent trial winner who is first-up here since debuting back in September 2022. She was thrown into the deep end in what was a strong 3yo race on debut, against the likes of Redmond, Grace ‘N’ Grey, Malborough Bay and Specialty. Expecting her to be much more suited back in maiden grade, any drying of the track before race 1 would only be in her favour.

Race 5 - #7 JAKKALNUTS (WIN)

Lightly tried 5yo mare by Jakkalberry who comes into this 2^nd up, now stepping up to the mile. She brings in superior form for a race like this, having previously been in the North Island with the O’Sullivan/Scott team until this campaign. Her record on wet tracks is brilliant, Sam Weatherley jumping on will only assist. Looks hard to beat.

Race 5 – #9 DIVOVSKI (WIN) – Cover bet

Will be having a small cover on Divovski, he steps up in grade and down in weight for this. He has been backed strongly in his last couple of starts, suggesting he may be back near the form which saw him clear maidens with a 6L victory in the Heavy conditions at Riverton. Jakkalnuts looks hard to beat, but I won’t be letting Divovski go around without covering on him also.

Value Bet

Race 7 - #5 ALBATROSS (EACH WAY)

I thought this mare was well above average when winning her debut for team Te Akau at Hastings over a year ago. She has been unable to recapture that form, having not finished better than 5^th since that debut effort. She now finds herself 4^th up here with the Tyler’s, on what should be a suitable surface at Wingatui. Senior jockey, Krishna Mudhoo, now takes the ride, if she can find anything near her best, she’d give this lineup a decent fright.