Meeting Overview: (as at 09/01)

Fine weather last week has meant the track team were required to put irrigation on late last week and with a little rain on Monday, the track has managed to hold the Soft 5 rating. The forecast shows nothing but high temps and dry weather between now and the beginning of the race meeting so it is likely we will start the day on a Soft 5 but will see an upgrade through proceedings.

The rail is out 3.5m for this meeting, which is a section of the track we haven’t raced on since the rail was in the True position on 7^th October or since it was out 4m on 14^th May. Suggesting this will be a fresh piece of the track and should race very fairly for all runners.

Best Bet

Race 3 - #7 TIGHTLY LACED (Win)

This well-bred, speedy filly put in an eye-catching display on debut last start at Tauherinekau. She jumped well and the speed was hot on that occasion, where she took a sit in behind them early, which I think will be key to her chances here. She has to contend with the outside gate in this and with the speed on inside her again, she will benefit from being able to slide across and settle just behind the leaders. The way she sprinted and put the race to bed on debut suggests she is well above average, and I am confident she has the class to retain that unbeaten record here.

Value Bet

Race 7 - #8 MATAKANA GIRL (Each Way)

While it might appear, she failed last start at Te Rapa, I think that run was better than the 8^th of 13 reads in her form line. Prior to that she had run two consistent races over 1200m & 1400m with form behind a handy horse in Tanganyika. The last start performance had her finish just 3.5 lengths from the winner when in arguably inferior ground on that occasion. Her best seems to be when ridden cold and the 1600m looks like it should be her sweet spot. She will likely need luck from the gate if she gets back but she has the ability to close with good sectionals and I am happy to play the $6 & $2.30 each way on opening.