By Jonny Turner
The horse known as The Beast From The East is back and he is eyeing another Tuapeka Cup.
A two-time winner of the spring feature and runner-up in the event last year, Robyns Playboy is back from Australia and ready to get his career back on track.
New South Wales wasn’t the horse’s cup of tea, but the early signs trainers Ross and Chris Wilson are seeing suggest their Group One placegetter feels like he is ready to race like his old self again.
“We were hoping he was going to go over to Australia to finish his racing career but it didn’t really pan out for him over there,” Chris Wilson said.
“He didn’t really click with their system of racing, so he is back.”
“I think he is back to his old tricks.”
“He is kicking and bucking and trying to squash you in the stalls.”
“He is acting like he was before he left.”
“His work has been pretty good and we are pretty happy with his workout.”
“He had a good blowout, so I think he is going to be near enough.”
The only concern in the Wilson camp is that they won’t know for sure that Robyns Playboy is back to his best until they see it at the races.
“We have just got that uncertainty with how he was over in Australia.”
“But based on his work here he should be running a pretty strong race.”
“There is just that doubt in the back of your head with how he went over there.”
The Beast From The East takes on a talented field headed by the early favourite Get Up N Dance.
The Nathan Williamson trained pacer starts alongside Robyns Playboy from a 15m handicap.
Get Up N Dance showed a brilliant turn of foot when winning first up at Ascot Park.
Though he is unlikely to be sitting back and waiting on his rivals on Sunday.
“He hasn’t been noted for his speed, but it was quite pleasing to see him go that way and sprint up like he did,” Williamson said.
“His staying qualities are his best qualities and he may have to use them on Sunday.”
Get Up N Dance gets a head start on 25m back marker Tommy Waterhouse who drops in grade after taking on New Zealand Cup horses when eight in the Methven Cup.
Mach Quillan gets a head start on all three of them from the front line.
The pacer comes into the Tuapeka Cup on the back of a strong third behind Corravally Star at Addington.
Race by Race – Tuapeka Harness Racing Club :
Tuapeka Tips – Race 1
Mister McLaren comes into the first race after chasing the very impressive Teddy Baker home here in his last start.
If he can repeat that effort, which came in very smart time, he will take plenty of beating.
Nyla has the best draw of the leading hopes and ran very well at Oamaru last weekend, she’s a big winning hope.
Mucho Macho Man has raced much better fields than this and shouldn’t be underrated despite his ordinary form.
La Moth should definitely be included in your calculations, too.
Selections: Mr McLaren (5), Nyla (2), Mucho Macho Man (7), La Moth (6)
Suggested Bet: Nyla (2) – Eachway
Tuapeka Tips – Race 2
This is the smartest maiden trot field seen in the south in some time.
Aroha Kenny ran very well first up at Addington in her last start second behind a promising type.
Flying Without Wings has trialled very smartly ahead of his debut and looks a big winning threat.
Two lovely horses, with Aroha Kenny getting the nod as top pick with her inside draw.
Love A Patrick has shown talent in her trials and can win, but she looks in need of some luck from her tricky draw.
Justine Jaccka is a top 4 contender and En Masse should be considered after her nice recent trials.
Selections: Aroha Kenny (5), Flying Without Wings (6), Love A Patrick (9), Justine Jaccka (8)
Suggested Bet: Aroha Kenny (5) – Eachway
Tuapeka Tips – Race 3
Tabasco has been running hot lately but without too much luck.
Today looks his day after he came up with a great draw in barrier 2.
Sophie is first up in the south for a stable that has been in great form recently, so she deserves a lot of respect.
Magnetic Beckers produced a strong debut and gets a much better draw this week, he’s an eachway threat.
My Pleasure has trialled very well recently and shouldn’t be underestimated.
Consider Boot Scootn Boogie in your combo bets, he should get a great run from barrier 1.
Selections: Tabasco (2), Sophie (5), Magnetic Beckers (4), My Pleasure (3)
Suggested Bet: Tabasco (2) – Win
Tuapeka Tips – Race 4
Rightazz ran on very nicely in his fresh up outing and looks primed to run a big race here.
He’s drawn best of the big win hopes, which is a big advantage for him.
Lou’s Deal has trialled very well and looks a strong winning threat.
De La Renta can’t be faulted on her last two starts, she’s a big eachway threat.
Ballymena is better than her last start run suggests and Sonny Maguire deserves consideration too.
Rightazz (3), Lou’s Deal (6), De La Renta (5), Ballymena (4)
Selections: Rightazz (3), Lou’s Deal (6), De La Renta (5), Ballymena (4)
Suggested Bet: Rightazz (3) – Eachway
Tuapeka Tips – Race 5
Chasing really smart fillies at Addington looks a great form recommendation for Micaitlen Denario.
She cops a bad draw, but she can overcome it and is the horse to beat.
Sister Cherie has also run into very smart horses recently, don’t underrate her in this field.
Hit The Lights is very genuine and gets a great chance to run in the top three from barrier 1.
The Matriarch is bound to be running on strongly and she has also got a great draw in barrier 3, so put her in your Trifectas and First4s.
Selections: Micaitlen Denario (8), Sister Cherie (5), Hit The Lights (1), The Matriarch (3)
Suggested Bet: Micaitlen Denario (8) – Win
Tuapeka Tips – Race 6
This is a very even line up and the consistent Vin Scully looks as big of a winning chance as any.
He has raced smarter types than these and looks a strong eachway threat even from a tricky draw in barrier 7.
Sherwood Maggie is also very consistent and she must go in after securing a great draw in barrier 1.
Tisbury Rocks come into this after a gritty effort and she has genuine claims.
Magic Sign has been down on his best form lately but if he finds it, he can beat this field.
Stunin Star and Elouisa Dale look Trifecta/First4 options to consider in a wide-open race.
Selections: Vin Scully (7), Sherwood Maggie (1), Tisbury Rocks (5), Magic Sign (10)
Suggested bet: Sherwood Maggie (1) – Eachway
Tuapeka Tips – Race 7
A bumper trotting field, packed with chances with handicaps to play a crucial role.
The honest and reliable Port Pegasus looks one of the safest plays in this race.
His 30m handicap won’t be easy but he is sure to try hard and give you a run for your money.
Our Pinocchio gets a head start on the big guns which brings him right into reckoning.
The consistent Abby May is a big top 4 hope while it wouldn’t surprise at all if Domination’s Call ran well
Selections: Port Pegasus (13), Our Pinocchio (5), Abby May (10), Domination’s Call
Suggested Bet: Port Pegasus – Eachway
Tuapeka Tips – Race 8
Get Up N Dance was all class scoring here fresh up and will only strip fitter today.
He looks well placed from his handicap and should be hard to beat.
Tommy Waterhouse ran a meritorious race against the top liners in the Methven Cup, he shouldn’t be under rated.
Neither should Mach Quillan who comes off a strong last start placing at Addington.
American Mac has trialled up very well in Canterbury ahead of today’s race and must be considered while Mogul should go in your wider bets.
Selections: Get Up N Dance (7), Tommy Waterhouse (8), Mach Quillan (1), American Me (4)
Suggested Bet: Mach Quillan (1) – Place
Tuapeka Tips – Race 9
A cracking contest to round out the day, with several winning chances.
This grade should hold no fears for Where’s Daddy who has taken on stronger fields.
He hasn’t drawn the best, but he can overcome that to win.
Xlendi is new to this grade but looks very talented and is a big winning hope.
Boarding Call has drawn best of the leading contenders and looks a strong eachway threat.
Magnetic Terror has landed a tricky draw but is sure to be running on and rates a big place hope.
Santanna Mac is the smoky for those looking for value to get out in the last.
Selections: Where’s Daddy (7), Xlendi (10), Boarding Call (5), Magnetic Terror (9)
Suggested Bet: Boarding Call (5) – Eachway
