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LOVERACING.NZ Preview - Ruakaka 5 August
Best Bet
Race 4 - #1 DRAGON LEAP (Win)
The $3.50 on opening looked to be an absolute gift for one of the country’s most talented sprinters. The $2.70 currently available still looks a very generous price, I had him marked just above the $2.00 quote in this lineup. Back in an Open Handicap, Dragon Leap does have to carry the 62kg impost at a distance short of his best, however, I expect the likely strong tempo and Opie Bosson taking the steer from a low gate (4) will mitigate both of these concerns. His short neck 2nd to Imperatriz in this race last year reads extremely well for this, I’m of the opinion it would take considerable bad luck or him regressing significantly to be getting beaten in this field.
Next Best Bet
Race 2 - #4 SPIELBERG (Win)
Spielberg looks to be a horse with plenty of ability, who looked to only get his mind on the job very late in the straight on debut at Te Rapa. He has since been transferred to the Paul Richards stable, where he has trialled up on the synthetic twice for two very smart wins. The main concern here is the wide gate (13), where it may take some nifty riding from Michael McNab to land a prominent position without working too hard, as back and wide is not the place to be with the rail out 6m at Ruakaka. With even luck and a positive ride, he should be hard to beat here, I had him marked at $2.50, therefore more than happy to play at the $3.30 available.
Value Bet
Race 7 - #4 REVERBERATIONS (Each Way)
Reverberations is first-up on Saturday, coming into this 1300m contest off the back of an impressive trial win on the synthetic in July. Although he was ridden out in this trial and race rival Stage Three was held together throughout, Reverberations looked to be doing it under his own steam with his ears pricked over the latter stages. Triston Moodley claiming 4kg sees him get into this R65 contest with only 55kg on his back from the inside alley, where he should get every chance in the run. The $11/$3.50 currently available looks overs to me, I had him priced around $7.50/$2.60 in what looks an open race on paper.
