Form analyst Jason Teaz has a detailed look at tonight’s fields at Cambridge (Friday).
Race 1
3 Highview Rockn Roll
7 The Last Gamble
6 Safrakova
9 Griffins Hall
HIGHVIEW ROCKN ROLL never runs a bad race, also steps and goes. Second at Auckland behind a five win horse over the 2200m. Hard to beat.
THE LAST GAMBLE will enjoy having Dale Moore back in the cart. The combination won last Thursday at the Pukekohe trials easily. She’s in career best form but she just needs to have her manners at the start on point.
SAFRAKOVA drops back significantly in grade tonight. Racing consistently at Auckland after quick beginnings. A first four must.
GRIFFINS HALL is enjoying his farewell tour. Unlucky two starts ago and after a mid race move stuck on nicely for second May 20. The 2200m if anything suits him more.
MINNIE BOW TIQUE was a winner here April 15 off 30m against maidens, and then backed that up with fourth at Auckland. Races best with her races spaced.
Race 2
1 High Flying Major
7 Run Mason Run
4 Brookies Jaffa*
10 Jaccka Cooper
HIGH FLYING MAJOR debuted exceptionally May 20. Lands barrier one for his step up tonight. Beat some nice maidens in that first start and strikes a few marooned in this grade.
RUN MASON RUN was a long way below his best May 20. Trialled brilliantly beforehand, so take on trust that he is on his game tonight. If he is, he’s a huge win chance.
BROOKIES JAFFA has had 39 starts, he’s run top six in 31 of them. That means you can’t leave him out. This is also the weakest field he has struck for some time. Pushed back at a vital stage last start. The blowout.
JACCKA COOPER is a rough gaited horse but has still raced out of his skin lately after tough trips. There’s only one way to drive him from this draw so expect him to make it a staying test.
BET WEST needed the first up run two weeks ago. Paced 2:40 on that occasion. A winner here before so include.
Race 3
5 Private Eye
6 Dressed In Gold
4 I Expect Bettor
10 Harvey Specter
PRIVATE EYE was only just beaten on debut from the same draw. Was in good time and he looks a smart type. Top pick in a strong maiden field.
DRESSED IN GOLD has had four trials and workouts for three wins. The qualifying win was his first trial in two months so should be still improving. Led all the way in that trial but may struggle to do that from gate six. One to watch.
I EXPECT BETTOR has a heap of ability and was unbeaten at the trials prior to racing for the first time. Not much luck in both race day runs and has since had an interesting stable change to the Blanchard’s. Can blow them out at odds.
HARVEY SPECTER has been consistent since joining the Blanchard stable. Only a length from Private Eye after sitting parked for 1200m May 20. Include.
SUPERSEDE is another first starter. Won his most recent trial at Pukekohe in a 2:01 mile rate and placed third behind Getn Wiggy Withit and Play Philly in a workout May 22 Is a half brother to multiple winner Superbass.
Race 4
3 Marathon Man
4 Chase The Gold
7 Rocknroll Mama
1 Le Pole Dancer
MARATHON MAN was all but a winner first up May 28. Got savaged mid race when leading and he gutsed it out for third on 2:39 speed whilst the attacker dropped out to last. Leads or trails tonight and wins.
CHASE THE GOLD was a close up fourth in juniors company June 4 after trying to lead throughout. Drawn to contest the lead tonight and has strong previous form here at Cambridge behind horses like Enjoy Me, Thee Old Bomb and Hezacrocwatcher.
ROCKNROLL MAMA ran third in the 4yo mares Diamond last Sunday. Was a huge performance and is sure to be considered a leading chance here and she seems to have no problem backing up week to week.
LE POLE DANCER also steps back from the Jewels where she was beaten ten lengths. Barrier one is a big assist here and can place.
BE MY ROSE has only had three starts. Last time she was at Cambridge she beat subsequent three-time winner Commander Cathy in quick time. Can improve from the first race in three months last Friday. Gives the Purdon/Phelan stable a strong hand.
Race 5
4 Wet Flipflops
5 Polka Delight
8 Shanlou
6 Tennessee Honey
WET FLIPFLOPS was only run down late at Auckland last Friday. Notoriously happier here and in a race devoid of form, should get her maiden win tonight.
POLKA DELIGHT arrives at Cambridge for the first time tonight. Adequate Auckland form and was only beaten two and four lengths respectively in her last two starts in strong maiden fields. Second pick.
SHANLOU has placed second three times in four starts at Cambridge. Barrier eight limits his chances, still needs including.
TENNESSEE HONEY is yet to win in seven trials but did run second behind Five Wise Men at the Jewels workouts. Sure to be plenty of stable support around.
BABA YAGA has been extensively trialled since October last year. Won her qualifier May 8 and then won another trial May 27 both at Pukekohe. An interesting proposition from one on the second row.
NOWUCEEMENOWUDON’T is only a two year old and only qualified May 20. Looks very inexperienced but trust the stable to have her ready for this.
Race 6
9 She Reigns
6 Ivegotbills
2 Majestic Harry*
8 As Free As Air
SHE REIGNS is chasing the Dunstan Horse of the year title. Nicely handicapped at only 45m behind and only a small field to contend with. She’s hard to beat.
IVEGOTBILLS picked up a penalty free win May 20 after stepping and running and passing laning. Drawn outside some other good beginners tonight but still rates highly.
MAJESTIC HARRY drops back from the 4yo Ruby on Sunday. Well beaten but that was his first race in a month. 2200m and being off the front tape again is his go. A value bet.
AS FREE AS AIR ended a rich vein of form with a 55 length last May 20. Got left parked and he couldn’t hack it. On his best form he can be in this.
THE HULK has won four from sixteen at Cambridge. Always a chance.
GREY STOKE picked up a strong 2200m win here two starts ago beating The Big Bird. The front tape is a great thing for him and goes his best races with Zac Butcher.
Another good beginner is STILL EYRE. His form has really dipped lately but this is an easier assignment.
Race 7
9 J Bee
6 Pull The Other Leg
2 Jack Tar
4 Ideal Agent
J BEE has been unlucky of late. Last Friday sat behind an outsider who stopped in his face. Prior to that he sat back on the sprint home behind Kango and finished seven lengths behind B D Joe May 28. One on the second row following out a decent beginner can help him tonight. He has a devastating sprint.
PULL THE OTHER LEG narrowly missed Jewels qualification on the back of three very unlucky runs in varying degrees. Barrier six is neither here nor there for him so tactics will be interesting.
JACK TAR has a never say die attitude and from barrier two expect him to lead and dictate the race. Game in defeat every start lately.
IDEAL AGENT had a crack at Group One glory in the Messenger and had no chance on the walk sprint nature of it. Cambridge Gold Cup winner here this year and hard to fault his grade racing form at Auckland.
OPTICAL ILLUSION is just a two race winner but in his first race for two months May 21 he was beaten two lengths by the since Group One placed Hot And Treacherous in 2:40. A better than average horse up to this level.
EAGLE WATCH and SPIRIT OF ANZAC are two stablemates who pop out sporadically and you would need them on first four tickets for that reason.
Race 8
2 Platinum
3 Romanee
4 Starry Star
1 Silver Lady
PLATINUM stands out like a beacon in this. She competed against the best two and three year olds in the last year. With her gate speed she should lead this the whole way. The bet of the night.
ROMANEE returned to some form May 20. Found the line strongly over 2700m. A winner of three races at Cambridge.
STARRY STAR has been out of form for quite some time. But in her last two starts she’s been much better. Her course stats are good with two wins here and once she finds form she holds it.
SILVER LADY ended up in a bad spot in the NZ Amateur heat May 20. She has no gate speed but will be hoping to hold up enough to trail the favorite. A good place bet.
Race 9
7 Wynberg Watch
6 Demolition Man
8 Cepheus
2 Skyzrclearnsunny
WYNBERG WATCH delivered on the promise May 20 with a dominant win. Yes he goes back to the 30m mark tonight but with his now customary quick beginning he can find the lead and if he does become the likely winner.
DEMOLITION MAN returns tonight after having the ultimate gear change. No workouts though in that time means he will be vulnerable tonight. However picks the perfect race to return in. Do I hear another second placing?
CEPHEUS returns to where she won her maiden in April. Sixth at Auckland last week was average but was running on. 30m tests but the front line won’t scare her.
SKYZRCLEARNSUNNY has the form around her but trialled terribly last Thursday. Was first beaten after leading. If there was a reason for that and she races up to her best she will be the first maiden home here.
The blowout is TRAMPS LIKE US. Mistakes have littered his northern career thus far but only needs to trot throughout to threaten.
Best Bet: Race 8 (2) Platinum
Each Way Value: Race 2 (4) Brookies Jaffa*
* denotes a horse that Jason and Megan Teaz train
