Grass track racing returns this Sunday to the Banks Peninsula Trotting Club meeting at Motukarara, with the feature race being the Tactical Approach D G Jones Banks Peninsula Cup at 3.58pm. Trackside presenter Marc Cookson casts his eye over the 12 race card.
Race 1 – Jean Anderson Memorial Trot (11.37am)
With a 50% place record in his 12 start career, with the same percentage placing on grass, Schoemaker is the one for me showing his versatility in racing and ability. In a maiden trot at “The Mot” I am looking towards him with Wypout also being an include after hitting the line strong with not all favours at Methven.
Race 2 – Leigh and Greg Ayers Proudly Support BPTC Mobile Pace (12.02pm)
Melton Magnate is drawn closer this week after being buried on the pegs from wider over the Methven mile. Delta Kilo tried to lead from the same draw at Methven after a 6-week freshener. Same draw for him again with that run under his belt.
Race 3 – Norjo Motorcycles Trot (12.27pm)
Torvi wasn’t the best beginner when well supported fresh up. She was looking for inside runs in the straight but didn’t find one when having a nice turn of foot on the way home. Look To Da Stars, the three-year-old, sat parked the last lap fresh up at Addington. The lone Nathan and Mark Purdon runner at the meeting and Blair Orange aboard second up is a must include.
Race 4 – Lather Up at Woodlands Pace (12.52pm)
Festus Haggen almost got his own way the entire journey at Methven with six weeks between runs. Stable and driver do well at “The Mot” and he is a must include again. Franco Chaplin cost us at Methven after blowing to pieces early. However, the trial from Mt Hutt the week prior is hard to drop. I want to give the son of Ultimate Machete another chance.
Race 5 – Ranui House – Bone Marrow Cancer Trust Trot (1.31pm)
Noah Magnific hit the line strongly at Methven after racing in some strong grades in the winter. Similar grade here to Methven. Each way here along with the old marvel Take After Me, who should be handy, and a watch on the fresh up Sinner Cool.
Race 6 – Townley Racing (Junior Drivers) Mobile Pace (2.11pm)
Opo will have to be driven differently off the second row draw this week, which could be more to his liking. In an open junior driver race, Santanna Mach looks a good top four chance
Race 7 – Richard Roberton Memorial (Blue September) Trot (2.44pm)
Being an invited drivers “Blue September” race, Brother Love has drawn Matthew Williamson and Sunny Louis has drawn Rory McIllwrick. Both enter an open race after efforts from the trail and lead respectively at Methven. Blair Orange has drawn Otago horse, Nubliah Chamay, who can be in this with manners and bringing her lovely grass track stats.
Race 8 – BPTC Remembers Katie Cox with Fondness (Blue September) Pace (3.18pm)
The well-bred Moonlite Blood was a black booker on the way he hit the line at Methven coming out of maidens. Amazing Tom was another head turner from the Grant Payne stable in that same race and beat Moonlite Blood home. Both are includes for me in this.
Race 9 – Tactical Approach D G Jones Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup (3.58pm)
Confessional was unlucky in the Ordeal Cup then both him and Kyvalley Hotspur ran second and third last start. Kyvalley Hotspur coming into that race fresh and doing all things right at the trials beating Highgrove, who has since come back huge. The Bob Butt-trained Aussie is only 10 metres behind and looks ready. Confessional is from Paul Nairn’s stable who could potentially line up five runners in the two mile feature, including Tectonic.
Race 10 – John McDermott 75 at 75 Mobile Pace (4.32pm)
Dulcinea was running on late at Methven from last getting only two lengths from Sweet Spirit. Gets a draw closer in and will have taken improvement from the run. Seven placings on grass and is a great each way Chance.
Race 11 – Richard (Dick) Eivers Memorial Trot (5.07pm)
Prince Teka was back at the trials on Wednesday and, as expected, was up handy trailing the leader. He drops markedly in grade here compared to his pre winter prep. Royal Dierdre is another chance from a stable who goes well on the grass this time of year. Good grass stats, standing start stats, Blair Orange drives. Tick, tick, tick.
Race 12 – Craythornes Hotel/Oxford Group Mobile Pace (5.37pm)
Poetry In Motion gets an awkward draw but could be getting into it late by the way this horse picked a path through late in the piece at Methven. Dennis Denuto is having start 50 on grass and has the one run under the belt this prep and will take improvement on that. Stephs Boy has more race fitness, similar draw to Methven where he went back and got into it strongly. Plus, he has won two of four races here at Mot so would play some exotics around those three to try and get out.
Best Bet
Race 4: Festus Haggen
Next Best Bet
Race 10: Dulcinea
Value Bets
Race 3: Torvi
Race 8: Moonlite Blood
