Form analyst Jason Teaz casts his eye over Manawatu’s meeting today. First race is at 3.59pm.
Race 1
4 Mackali
7 Gazza Galleon
3 Thank You
5 Leesa Castleton
MACKALI dominated these last Tuesday and has only gone back 10m for that win. Should win again with her customary clean getaway.
GAZZA GALLEON showed good improvement last week. With any fitness improvement he will figure again. Only lightly tried.
THANK YOU has certainly grown up the last month or so. Trotted well last week and even though he was slow off the mark he was safe. Has won a race like this before. Has more ability than anything else.
LEESA CASTLETON just whacked away last week. 50m is not easy for her and she appears to be past her best this campaign.
OUR GRACIE just can’t shake the 60m handicap. She will be worth a winning look soon when she comes further forward. Her third at Cambridge on February 11 was full of merit.
Race 2
11 It’s A Laugh
12 Mop
13 I Won’t Back Down
9 Easy Does It
IT’S A LAUGH has been another purchase for Scott Dickson. 40 starts for nine placings and has been competitive in some handy fields around the coast circuit and Canterbury provincials. Did sneak a third at Addington two starts back. Should smash these.
MOP beat a horse home for the first time in his life last Tuesday. Won’t be long a maiden in this company.
I WON’T BACK DOWN used his gate speed well last week and he looked maybe one run short. Draw is a nightmare but field is beatable, so should be in the fight.
Keeping on the bad barrier theme in this race, EASY DOES IT gets a second row draw also. Made up ground from the rear last time and with his dodgy barrier manners he wouldn’t have been pushed early anyway.
ZIRCON LASS was a flop last week, galloped in the score up and made a complete hash of the opportunity presented. Driven like the best horse afterward to no avail. A senior pair of hands on today.
DRAMATIST went the race of her life last Tuesday. Drawn the best of the leading chances, however only just off the unruly.
Race 3
5 Chase The Hat Trick
7 Santanna Mach
2 Ticking Over
9 The Kapiti Express
CHASE THE HAT TRICK is a different beast when he leads. stole the win last week with slow mid race sectionals and no reason here why he can’t do it again.
SANTANNA MACH is a former Taranaki cup and Palmerstonian winner down on his form. Hinted he was on the way back with the fifth on February 16, not a flash lot and his fitness should be better given it was his first race in six weeks.
TICKING OVER may have been out graded last week but he went a mighty race. Relished having a good draw and stuck nicely. Beaten by two horses who aren’t here today so is a big hope of winning this.
THE KAPITI EXPRESS was horrific last week. Narrowly beaten in a Manawatu Cup prelude and placed in a Wellington cup this campaign so give another go.
MAC’S TOMADO stuck on resolutely for fourth after a speed duel early. Didn’t pace that well, so could be improved.
SHEZSOMETHINSPECIAL was the other speed dueler last week. She will get a softer run on the markers today and can blow them out for a place.
Race 4
4 Smokin Annie
10 Frank The Tank
8 Zip Code
7 Golden Lace
SMOKIN ANNIE was beaten by the draw last week, Gets barrier four today which was the best draw on offer with the maidens getting the inside alleys. Should dominate these.
FRANK THE TANK won’t get an easier race to find his best. That race should have cleaned him up given it was his first for eight weeks. Expect him to be driven quietly early anf can run over top of these.
ZIP CODE had been finishing in a different area code in his races of late prior to the second in this company last week. One on the second line is a good spot for him and he’s a place hope again.
GOLDEN LACE had it all turn to custard for her at the quarter last week when the leader stopped and dragged her back. Her Marlborough form was better than many of these could muster so can upset.
DOWNTOWN BABE was very disappointing last time. Hasn’t shown much since running second to Show Me Heaven on xmas eve over the mile.Drops back even further in company today.
WRIGGLES RUFUS is the interesting runner. The best of the maidens with the stable change to Andre Poutama. Throw in your multiples as a throw at the stumps.
Race 5
1 Mahia
3 Midnight In Memphis
8 Superstar Legend
7 Classey Robyn
MAHIA was just outstayed by another former southerner in Chase The Hat Trick last Tuesday. Barrier one is a plum and should get a good trip. On her southern form wins this.
MIDNIGHT IN MEMPHIS has been consistent. Fourth from barrier 14 last week and gets a way better draw to use today. A week between runs suits her.
SUPERSTAR LEGEND drew one on the second line last week and drew behind one with no gate speed. Got held up badly and once she got into the clear stomped into second. A wily veteran drives today and follows the favorite. A big chance of winning.
CLASSEY ROBYN draws the outside of the mobile today, which is another unhelpful draw. She’s racing well enough to grab a firsst four spot.
JIMMY RICHTER probably didn’t back up from hs gut buster at Cambridge February 11 last time. A week between runs and no travel could mark a better finish off today.
Chuck in BOULTON HOME if you need one more, got a pass mark for last week’s fifth .
Best Bet: Race 5 (1) Mahia
Each Way Value: Race 3 (2) Ticking Over