Racing journalist Jonny Turner has searched Sunday’s Rangiora card in the hope of finding three solid betting options for punters.
And he caught up with the driver of each horse to get their thoughts on how their charge is placed going into their assignment.
Race 1: Toro Stride (6)
Trainer: Phil Williamson
Driver: Matthew Williamson
Toro Stride went into his debut clash with Highgrove at Ashburton with plenty of hype around him and deservedly so.
With a blueblood pedigree, a sales topping price tag and being from top line trotting stable the two-year-old was no chance of ever flying under the radar.
The colt was also no chance of winning after breaking and losing all chance just a matter of metres from dispatch point.
Toro Stride had trialled smartly prior and looks well placed to make amends against what looks like a less formidable line up on Sunday.
“He wanted to pace behind the gate, which he can do from time to time,” Matthew Williamson said.
“Dad (Phil Williamson) has made a few changes with him and we are hoping he will be a lot better on Sunday.”
“If he was able to hold it together I would like to think he would be pretty hard to beat.”
Toro Stride opened at a $1.90 fixed win odds price before quickly moving to $1.40 following the scratching of his main rival, Mr Love.
Race 5: Mossdale Mac (4)
Trainers: Greg and Nina Hope
Driver: Ben Hope
Mossdale Mac looks to get an excellent winning opportunity under the 2000m standing start conditions on race 5.
The three-year-old is a brilliant beginner and showed that in his latest outing when running a solid fourth at Addington.
With three runs back this time in, the pacer should strip at his peak on Sunday.
Mossdale Mac just needs to make his usual smart beginning to be tough to catch.
“We were pretty happy with his run last time, he did have his chance but he went a solid enough race,” Ben Hope said.
“The race for him on Sunday looks ideal, he is a great beginner and hopefully he can step away like he usually does.”
“If he does he should be a pretty good chance.”
Mossdale Mac opened the $2.60 fixed odds win favourite for race 5 on Saturday afternoon.
Race 9: Artatac (11)
Trainer: Mark Jones
Driver Samantha Ottley
Artatac showed something more like his true worth when second behind Serg Blanco at Addington on Friday night.
And in doing so he showed again what a tricky horse he is.
The three-year-old looked to be under pressure around the home turn before winding up and hitting the line strongly to run second.
Artatac looks to have the ability to match most, if not all of his rivals on Sunday when he takes on an even line up.
“He did go quite good at Addington,” Samantha Ottley said.
“He is a really funny horse, you just don’t know which one is going to turn up.”
“The ability is there but he hasn’t always got his mind on the job.”
“If he is in the right mood on Sunday he would definitely be a good chance in that race.”
“But you have just got to cross your fingers a bit with him.”
Artatac opened at a $5 fixed odds win price and at attractive $2 place odds for race 9.
