Best Bet

Race 4 - #8 STALLONE (Win)

With the track likely to remain a genuine Heavy 10, Stallone looks like he will relish the conditions. He run a bold race fresh up for 2nd at Hawera which will hold him in good stead here. His record on Heavy tracks is positive and I think he will power through the going. This is a competitive field, and he has drawn wide, but I think the draw should be no concern the way I expect the track to play, and I am confident he finds a race he can win.

Next Best Bet

Race 7 - #5 LURID (Win)

He is clearly in super form at the moment, off the back of a 13-length demolition last start, Lisa Latta entered him for a Rotorua cup, but he was subsequently scratched off the ballot and this is much easier. His two runs prior to that big win were desperately unlucky and I think he can reproduce a top run against this field. He gets in with a competitive weight at 56kg despite winning in this grade last time out and the opening quote of $2.80 is as good of a price I expect to see for him before they go to post.

Value Bet

Race 9 - #1 OLD TOWN ROAD (Each Way)

He is such an honest campaigner, and the prospect of a Heavy 10 track is a positive for him. From 13 runs on heavy footing, he has only once finished further back than 4th. Forgive his last start on a better track against better horses than he faces here. He will have to lump the 60kg but his form from this time last year suggests he can hold this field.

FEATURE RACE PREVIEW

Race 8 - HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY EDITH BULL - RANGITIKEI CUP (LISTED)

Key Runners

#1 JUSTASKME

I like the way Justaskme has progressed with each run this prep as we know he does, and he looks to be back hitting his straps. He has to carry the 60kg impost again, but he closed well last week over 1400m behind a smart galloper, and we know he will handle the genuine wet track. A wide draw is no issue as he will drop to the rear of the field early as always and look for him to swoop over the closing stages.

#6 MARY LOUISE

Mary Louise was super winning fresh up last start and is a deserving favourite but the concern here is the step up in grade on a very testing track. She gets into this on the minimum and the early market support suggests she can be ultra-competitive. The rise to 1550m should also be seen as a positive for Mary Louise.

Betting Strategy

#1 JUSTASKME (Each way)

I really like the way he progresses with each run through his preps and the 1550m will be ideal. The concern is the weight once again, but we have seen him perform consistently as a high level under big weights. In a competitive race, you know he has the class and at a price of $6/$2.30 I think he rates as a decent each way play.