It’s a massive meeting at Addington Raceway tonight and commentator Matt Cross has done the form on all 12 races.
Race 1 4:56pm NZB STANDARDBRED 2YO COLTS & GELDINGS MOBILE PACE
I was impressed with Midnight Miki here last week. He buzzed off the gate and was only worn down late by The Lazarus Effect. He’s the only horse on the second row here and it looks like he may get a chance to work into the race at some point. Two starts back he ran some excellent sectionals behind Marketplace who is the favourite in the $200k feature tonight. Strikem continues to run well this prep. Both of his starts this time in he has run into Marketplace. He drew four the second-row last time and I thought considering the extra ground he covered for the last 800m it was a top run. If he’s a couple of spots closer, he can win. Sacetas is a danger, in what looks to be a slight drop in class for him he can also win with the right trip. Coba Charged had no luck getting carted back last time and it much better than his price is suggesting, he might be worth including as a roughie here. Midnight Miki is the one to beat in my opinion even from the draw.
Selections 9-6-4-7
Race 2 5:19pm THE CANTERBURY WEST COAST AIR RESCUE TRUST 3YO MOBILE PACE
To be fair this race looks all over before it’s even begun. Renegade is drawn one, he’s got gate speed, he’s dropping back from running a luckless second to Harrison John and was unlucky to miss a start in the Group 1 tonight, he was just on the border. Take the shorts he should win this for fun. Twista follows him out so he’s the logical place bet if you don’t want to take the short odds around the fav, he ran second to Mantra Blue two starts back and shouldn’t have to do anything other than follow the leader and hope for the best. Dave Duley is as honest as they come, drawn 9 makes it tough to say he can win it but can run second. Commander Joe ran second to Renegade two starts back and had nothing go his way last time and is another that shouldn’t be too far from the placings. I’m picking most people agree that Renegade looks to have them all at his mercy here hence the $1.50 on offer.
Selections 1-10-9-2
Race 3 5:44pm $75,000 NZB STANDARDBRED HARNESS MILLION 2YO MOBILE TROT (Listed)
The first of our Harness Million races here for the 2YO Trotters is headed up by Meant To Be. He is a big raw talent drawn the unruly which I don’t think is all that bad. He can find his feet from there and gradually work into the race. He’s a great looking horse with a lengthy stride and looks the one to beat in this. Odina is on debut from the Hope stable. She’s a full sister to Muscle Mountain. She’s extremely well gaited much like her brother. She’s shown gate speed at the trials so she should cross early. She’s a live hope even on debut. Higher Power has the ability, but early mistakes have been costly to his chances in his two runs this time. The blinds go on, just cross everything with him at the start. Ya Rite Darl is the logical respect in the race too. She had to sit parked last time which I don’t think suited here. She’s won three of five and isn’t out of this. Meant To Be and Odina look a pair of talents.
Selections 11-3-8-5
Race 4 6:09pm AVENUE BLOODSTOCK MOBILE PACE
Still Rockin comes north for the Ricky Gutsell barn. He’s got good gate speed and finds a suitable race here fourth up this preparation. He’s got Robbie Holmes on, so I’d guess he’s going forward at the start. He’s a nice staying type so he will give you something to cheer for. The Coalman is first up for 124 days. He loves 2600m. He trialled well in a hot field. Look for him running over the top late. Jack Tar and Warloch are both top three chances, they’ve been there and done that. If they go hard that brings them right into it. Tough race to suggest anything with too much confidence. Maybe Warloch to run a place, you might not be far away with him.
Selections 7-13-12-11
Race 5 6:44pm DANCINGINTHEDARK M (USA) CANTERBURY PARK CUP (HCP TROT) (Gr3)
This is an exciting contest. Bet N Win returns after strutting his stuff in Brisbane over the winter. He trialled enormous; it took Don’t Stop Dreaming to get past him. They ran a slick last half, and he couldn’t have been any more impressive. He can run quick time here at Addington, I’m excited to see him back. Muscle Mountain is first up for 140 days. He goes super fresh (8-6-1). Just the one trial, but the Hope stable know how to get him fired up first up. He was second off 20m in this race last year. The horse that beat him was Oscar Bonavena. Oscar was fifth here first up – he still ran 1.3secs faster than the winner. His closing splits on The URB were 56.3 and 26.6. There’s very few faster than him over the last 400m. Both he and MM will need some things to go their way off 20m, but class takes them very close. Mighty Logan keeps stepping up, he will have to again but if he steps fast and gets a decent gap between him and the back markers he will give you a sight. Bet N Win is the new kid on the block, he looks like he will give Oscar and Muscle Mountain something to chase. Great to have them all in the same race, nonetheless.
Selections 11-14-13-6
Race 6 7:17pm WOODLANDS STUD MARES’ SPRING SPRINT CLASSIC (MOBILE PACE) (Gr2)
Mantra Blue and Princess Meritaten look like they will lock horns here. They’ve both won 5 of their 9 starts. Mantra Blue draws one spot inside of Princess Meritaten, does that mean she’s the one to beat this time around? Maybe? Maybe not? Both are very talented mares, I’m loathed to pick one of the two, it might be easier to play the quinella and then it won’t matter who wins. If Sweet Diamond is to play any part here, she must go forward early. If she goes back, she settles last and potentially gets nothing. She’s third up this prep and does have a great dash of early speed if needed. A good stake on offer at Group level there’s a chance they may go forward. Insarchatwist will keep going all day too. She may not have the class of a couple, but she’s got a big heart, don’t leave her out. Take the Q – 7 & 8.
Selections 7-8-9-5
Race 7 7:50pm CANPRINT FLYING STAKES (MOBILE PACE) (Gr1)
Chase A Dream gets barrier 3 for his resumption. Two trials, hard to gauge them as he just sat back in the first and then trialled from a stand where he missed away badly. If he gets to the pegs early, he’s the one they must beat. Cold Chisel is back south again, tactics will be interesting with him early drawn wide. With his second to Merlin last time out you’ve got confidence that he’s in a good place. Mako is the value in the race. I think he is a top horse in the making. Once we get out to 2600m for the Derby in a couple of months you might see the best of him. He can win this at a price. Bettor Knuckle Up will be coming home as good as anything from the second row. There are many other chances too. Chase A Dream & Cold Chisel are the class horses. Mako the smokey.
Selections 3-8-12-15
Race 8 8:23pm $150,000 NZB STANDARDBRED HARNESS MILLION 2YO FILLIES MOBILE PACE (Listed)
Winelight is a great each way bet here. She followed a hot speed to win first up and just had to go too early last time around. She got tired late but there was enough merit in her run to say she can play a part here. I’m Sandra Dee finally gets a draw to use. She was left out to dry in a Group 1 at her latest start, racing three wide in the open for most of the race. Expect some early speed from her off a nice draw. Stella Rouge couldn’t have asked for a worse draw. She gets the inside second row so she’s going to need a magic drive and a ton of luck to be winning. I think she’s one of the best 2YO fillies going around, but from a betting perspective it could be a tough watch if she can’t get out. Allets was huge here last time, she worked hard early, got held up at the turn, and kept trying to the line. Play Winelight each way.
Selections 5-3-9-12
Race 9 8:55pm GET YOUR CUP WEEK TICKETS NOW AT ADDINGTON.CO.NZ HCP PACE
Republican Party might have looked a bit below par last time, but he wasn’t on the clock. His URB sectionals were 1:52.5 – 54.6 – 27.5. He’s a stocky little entire so if anything, you’d think his best runs would be third or fourth up. He’s third up here and with a clean start I think he’s the one to beat. Don’t Stop Dreaming is the best horse in the race by a long way. The worrying thing if you’re backing him is that he’s fresh up off 20m against race fit horses that can step fast and run a good tempo early. This isn’t his grand final, it’s just a ‘preseason’ match if you will. I wouldn’t back him here even though he’s the best horse in the race. Alta Meteor is a top horse, a great third in the Canterbury Classic, he should only be improved for this. I think that the front markers can play a major role with good beginnings. Both Mo’Unga and Charlie Brown can step very fast and give the back markers something to chase. Rock N Roll Doo has trialled up poorly for his standards so it’s hard to know how he will go. Tact McLeod isn’t without a chance of winning again either. Republican Party each way is worth a shot.
Selections 8-6-2-5
Race 10 9:28pm $200,000 NZB STANDARDBRED HARNESS MILLION 2YO C&G MOBILE PACE (Listed)
Marketplace will run as the favourite here. And for good reason. His sprint is amazing. The big question is from the front row draw with $200k on offer do they use him early to take a better position than he has had in his two runs back? Or do they not change what’s not broken and go back and let him unleash late? Either way I don’t think it will matter he looks a very good racehorse. Got The Chocolates will come off the gate and go forward you can guarantee that. Lock him in for your place bets. If Confederate can cross early, he’s going to get his chance. Rubira needs luck from his draw. Demon Blue can fill a place. Marketplace deserves favouritism by a long way, even if you don’t back him just tune in to watch a mighty fast horse.
Selections 6-7-3-11
Race 11 9:53pm THE TYRE GENERAL HANDICAP TROT
Tyron Eros broke the 3YO record for 2600m here at his latest start. He was off 20m then as he is in this race. There’s nothing to say he can’t do it again. Masterly should step and run, he could land in front and from there he will give you something to cheer for. I did think his price was skinny enough though. Eurokash is also off 20m, but we know his class when he’s right. He’s second up after a decent break so you might see a sharper version here. El Conqueror is third up and he’s a bit better than the price that the bookies put up for him. Tyron Eros is the best horse in the race.
Selections 18-8-17-16
Race 12 10:23pm GOLD BAND TAXIS MOBILE PACE
The Big Lebowski gets in here so well at the ratings. He does have a nom for the NZ Cup, he’d have to go well here and pick up one of the lead up races though if he were to get in. He’s third up after 471 days away from the races, he might press on from the wide draw. He was 5.8L from Merlin last start and that good enough for me to have him on top here. Jimmy James Maguire is a great follower of speed, with the right trip he can win. His third behind Wag Star most recently will have his fans right on board. Wish Me Luck I though last time was still a week or two away in the coat so I expect he will keep getting better this prep. He has the gate speed to lead early. Borrisokane although up in grade I think he’s a better horse when they go hard up front. Watch out for him sneaking up the pegs late. The Big Lebowski on top here. Shopping the trifecta with him, Jimmy James Maguire and Wish Me Luck.
Selections 9-8-3-1
Best Bet R12 The Big Lebowski
Value Bet R8 Winelight
Roughie R7 Mako
(Courtesy of trackside.co.nz)
