To help punters out at Invercargill today southern-based journalist Jonny Turner has sorted out his best four winning chances on the day.
Jordy – Race 2 – 12.30pm
Jordy looks another strong hope on the Ascot Park card, especially after drawing barrier 1 in race 2.
The pacer locked wheels and lost his winning chance at Winton last week.
But Jordy made an excellent recovery, running on well into fifth placing.
El Sirrar – Race 5 – 1.49pm
El Sirrar was only just knocked off in his first start for the Ben Hope stable at Winton last week.
The pacer was nailed late, running second after looking the winner and leading throughout.
El Sirrar will strip a fitter horse for that outing, as it was his first since March.
The pacer is another who may need some luck from after drawing barrier 8, but regardless he should be a big winning hope.
“I was rapt with his first up run and he has taken good improvement from it,” Hope said.
“It is not an ideal draw, but I would like to think he would be very competitive.”
Rakadan – Race 6 – 2.16pm
An outstanding recent trial at Ascot Park looks to have Rakadan right on track for his resumption in race 6.
The three-year-old hasn’t started since his creditable 5th placing in the Southern Supremacy Stakes at Winton last month.
Trainer-driver Peter Hunter wanted to give the horse a strong trial and Rakadan cleared out from his opposition in an impressive warm up for this week.
“I think the others were there for a quiet run and I wanted to give him a good hit-out,” Hunter said.
“I wouldn’t look into the margin too much.”
“He is a gross doing sort of horse, so he did need a good run.”
“He is at a rating where he is going to be pretty competitive and he has only had nine starts, so he can get a bit more experience.”
“He is enjoying being in work and around the stable, too.”
Brookies Player – Race 8 – 3.26pm
Brookies Player comes into race 8 after running third in his last four starts, without getting many favours.
The four-year-old sat parked in two of those events and was held up at a vital stage of his last start at Winton.
From barrier 1 on the second row on Saturday, the pacer may need a slice of luck, but if he gets it he should be take plenty of holding out.
“The only bright side this week is he can pick who he wants to follow out,” co-trainer Chris Wilson said.
“Hopefully he can get off at some point and get around them and probably end up in the parked position again.”
“He has figured out racing and his manners have improved 100%.”
“He has always had the ability but now he is going out there and doing everything right.”