Meeting Overview

Going: Soft5 (23/02)

Rail: True

The track is currently a Soft5 as of Friday morning, with a clear forecast over the next 24 hours I expect the track to remain in this range (if not a Good4) for the duration of racing Saturday. The rail comes back into the true position, which is a 10m inward shift from the last meeting here earlier this month. Taking the above into account, I expect all lanes to play evenly, however I will be expecting a slight advantage to those close to the rail and on speed.

Best Bet

Race 4 - #1 MOVE TO STRIKE (Win)

The $2.40 on opening was huge overs for this colt, still more than happy to play the $1.70 currently available, as I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start shorter than $1.50 on the day. I’m forgiving of Move To Strike’s last start defeat, where despite being beaten as a $1.30 favourite, he did beat home subsequent Karaka Million 2yo winner, Velocious, on what looked to be a sticky track at Pukekohe. He now gets back on to his home track at Matamata, with the blinkers going on, I expect him to be accounting for this field en route to the Sistema Stakes in March.

Next Best Bet

Race 9 - #3 SNAZZYTAVI (Win)

She went very close to winning last start at Listed level for the F&M at Tauherenikau, where she had to do some early work after being very slowly away. She maps to land behind midfield from the wide draw (11), which I do not view as a negative given this race looks likely to be a strongly run 2000m. Snazzytavi’s breeding would suggest the step up to 2000m will only aid her chances in what looks a winnable race for her.