Form analyst Jason Teaz has an in-depth look at today’s mini twilight meeting at Manawatu with the first race at 3.43pm.
Race 1
2 Mackali
8 Our Gracie
6 Leesa Castleton
4 Thank You
Hard to believe MACKALI has only had one win from 43 starts but she’s never raced better. Passing laned last Thursday at Cambridge and they were four lengths in front of the rest. Starts basically off the front today and should lead and be too good.
OUR GRACIE has relished starting off sensible marks at Cambridge but is back to the 60m today. It’s been prohibitive for her lately but her fitness has now reached peak so looks a must for trifectas
Same for Leesa Castelton, she was outclassed in the Waikato Breeders stakes but she comes back home for this assignment. Has performed well off 50m before.
THANK YOU showed his true ability when winning his maiden here but then galloped every start here since. Went to the South Island circuits and got a but more sensible every run. On ability can win but needs to stay trotting.
GAZZA GALLEON is the interesting runner now with Michael House, Trialled reasonably well at Ashburton last week in his only public hitout after being stood down last July.
Race 2
4 Crimson Rain
3 I Won’t Back Down
10 Mop
5 Harvey Specter
CRIMSON RAIN doesn’t run too many bad races without setting the world on fire. Has finished just behind them lately in stronger maiden races at Cambridge. Drawn to dominate the race.
I WON’T BACK DOWN had her first start at Otaki and went a nice race given her inexperience. Unsure of the gate speed but looks to have some upside.
MOP hasn’t beaten a horse home in any trial she has been in. But is a former Tapper horse which Michael House has a lot of success with so sure to start on the tote shorter than what she should but respect is due.
HARVEY SPECTER promised plenty early on but delivered absolutely nothing. If he was to ever win a race it would be here. Gets a slighty improved draw today.
LENA RIVERS has a handy draw and has gone one or two good races since moving to the Gommans stable.
Race 3
1 Zircon Lass
2 Manhattan Sunshine
4 Noela’s Delight
3 Painted Lady
ZIRCON LASS joined the Michael House stable after last Monday’s battling effort at Rangiora. This is still a monumental drop back in class and comes up with barrier one. Looks the bet of the day on her Southern runs where she was good enough to place in Southland.
MANHATTAN SUNSHINE ran a tidy third after having a nice marker line trip at Cambridge last Thursday. Has gate speed so expect her to lead and will have the favorite as her only danger on her back.
NOELA’S DELIGHT in her first start for six months at Cambridge on February 6 battled away being beaten six lengths and should be able to place in this lineup.
PAINTED LADY is still fairly new but did win a workout at Cambridge three weeks ago. Draw helps today.
JEZONIAS qualified at Pukekohe on January 23 in a slow time and has been sent south to Scott Dickson. Needs time but has at least no convictions.
Race 4
5 Mahia
3 Silver Lady
11 Classey Robin
10 Chase The Hat Trick
MAHIA heads the long list of former South Island pacers moved into new stables for this.Good enough to win a maiden at Roxburgh in the new year and since went two good races on the grass at Blenheim. Should win this on current form.
SILVER LADY has now moved to Stephen Doody after getting progressively worse in Christchurch. Never had much gate speed but this would be the weakest field she has struck. Only win was on the grass however.
CLASSEY ROBIN was entitled to fight on better at Cambridge February 6. Was looked at most of the way. She seems better in front like she did when she won here in December but is still a place chance.
CHASE THE HAT TRICK has been very weak on occasions however gets his chance in the CD. Has only been beaten eight lengths or under in last three starts in sub 2:00 mile rates at Ashburton and Rangiora so will find this world’s easier.
MIDNIGHT IN MEMPHIS won her maiden here in December quite nicely. Not sure how she can draw 12 12 12 and 14 in her last four starts so she is due some luck.
RAZCAL ALLEY is the smokey. She has been a lot higher in the grades and has a nce draw to use today. Question is whether there is enough fuel left in the tank. This hasn’t historically been her favourite track.
TICKING OVER gets a good draw she places, but usually gets a bad draw. Will be flying home and is one to follow.
MAYA ANGELOU comes north from Southland and won’t be a CD maiden long. She just strikes a strong form race first up.
Race 5
7 Smokin Annie
1 Golden Lace
8 Superstar Legend
9 Downtown Babe
SMOKIN ANNIE has been in the House setup for about a month now coming north from his Invercargill stable. She has high gate speed but can also make errors, so take on trust but on ability way too fast for these. Two starts ago crossed them easily from out wide at Roxburgh and ran second. Should follow that formula today.
GOLDEN LACE has been on the South Island holiday circuits and holding her own. Barrier one is an aid and stuck on OK down in the heavy stuff on a wet grass track last start at Blenheim.
SUPERSTAR LEGEND has been here before for a placing and is drawn to get a reasonable run. This is a big drop in class and last start at Methven grinded home fairly on a 58 half on the grass.
DOWNTOWN BABE disappointed January 8 but went the race of her life thes start prior when second on Xmas eve in 1:57. Again will be taking the shortcuts but can place at odds.
JIMMY RICHTER just missed in the game of cat and mouse last Thursday at Cambridge. Racing consistently now and will be a chance again.
EMMI ROSE gets her best draw in some time and given she likes to lead will be sure to try today. This is a quick front line though. But include.
JUNGLE GEM and EXPRESS PLAY are others in an open race.
Race 6
7 American Me
6 Santanna Mach
10 Mogul
8 The Kapiti Express
A form race this, AMERICAN ME was beaten by the handicaps in his last two runs at Cambridge. Sectionals were excellent and even off the outside off ths mobile conditions suit him.
SANTANNA MACH was a Palmerstonian classic and Taranaki cup winner previously. Starting to return to form again too after falling down the ratings. Massive drop in class from Wairio and Roxburgh cups.
MOGUL has also improved since racing on the grass in the CD disappointingly in the new year. Latest second was in the Amberley cup eight days ago. Will need luck from the second line to win this though.
THE KAPITI EXPRESS was outclassed at Blenheim but returns home today. Narrowly beaten in the Wellington and Otaki Cups before those misses. Inside second line hurts today.
GREATEST SHOWMAN albeit outclassed has the gate speed to lead early and trail the right horse so don’t leave out of first fours.
Best Bet: Race 3 (1) Zircon Lass
Each Way Value: Race 5 (8) Superstar Legend