LOVERACING.NZ Preview - Ellerslie 27 January
Best Bet
Race 2 - #4 IMWONDERFULTONIGHT (Win)
Her meteoric rise to stakes company has been so rapid and impressive, merely three starts ago she was winning a rating 65 at Te Rapa, albeit dominantly. Since then, she has run three super races in stakes company, finishing within 1 length of the winner on every occasion. Her run for 4th in the WFA Group 1 Telegraph last start was very impressive for a horse having just her 8th career start. She drops back to Group 3 level here, but the key will likely be the ace draw in barrier 1. Joe Doyle knows her so well and while she has skyrocketed up the handicaps, a repeat dose of her last three starts is enough to see her winning this at a juicy quote of $5.50, a price she won’t be for long.
Next Bet
Race 5 - #2 DESERT LIGHTNING (Place)
Everyone would suggest they are running for second place money in this race behind Legarto, but I think it has created an opportunity in the market. This horse was a Group 1 winner at 1600m in his last outing and has been faultless in his runs this prep. He is arguably in the best form of any horse in the race, outside of Legarto, and had the class to finish a brave 3rd in the 3YO version of this race last year, let alone win a Group 1 last start. The draw presents as a challenge, but Vinnie Colgan knows this horse inside out and from the 1600m start point at Ellerslie, has a long run to the corner. I think $3 for a last start Gr.1 TAB Classic winner is great money.
Value Bet
Race 6 - #1 PENDRAGON (Each Way)
I have been a big fan of last start Group 1 winning filly Quintessa for some time, and this is the only horse to have beaten her on a racetrack to date. It was his most recent win that really proved he was top drawer in my opinion. He looked to be in trouble as Quintessa loomed up to run past him, but he just kept fighting all the way to the line. He is a horse who has really hit his straps recently and from barrier 4 with Mark Zahra on, I suspect the pair will lead and should take a power of beating in this. At the $7.50 & $2.70 currently, I think he rates as a great each way value bet in the last.
