Best Bet

Race 7 - #5 C’EST MOI (Win)

She clearly has a touch of quality this 4YO mare by Vadamos as her record from just five starts reads 5:2-1-1. Sectionally she was exceptional last start, posting the fastest closing sectionals of the meeting at Ruakaka against the track bias that day. She ticks the Heavy track box with the win two starts ago and meets race favourite Dancarina 1kg better off at the weights in this.

Next Best

Race 8 - #2 LEEDOX (Win)

Another horse with a touch of quality. In just 8 starts so far, he has recorded two wins and two minor placings, only once out of the top 5. Earlier this season he had the class to run 4^th in a Hawkes Bay Guineas, which should hold him in good stead here. His win at Ruakaka when last spotted was super as he carried top weight and gave the runner up a 5kg advantage that day. He is another who has Heavy track form and with Michael McNab on board, he should get a nice run in transit from gate 2.

Value Bet

Race 2 - #2 ODYSSEUS (Each Way)

He may be the winner of just one hurdle race so far, but he pushed this season’s star hurdler Nedwin to ¾ length here 3 starts ago in the Waikato hurdle. Back to Te Rapa on a Heavy track that should play very evenly, I think he is right in this contest. Race favourite Taika deserves his position at the top of the market and with his 3kg claim will take a lot to beat, but if Odysseus can run anything near as well as he did in the Waikato Hurdle, the $8/$2.20 he opened at is a great each way bet.