The Shark heads out to the punting graveyard of Motukarara in search of winners at the annual Akaroa Trotting Club meeting on the big grass track.
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Race 1
8 Romanite: Has performed well here in the past in amateur races and bring solid from down from the North Island. Hard to ignore.
7 Bush Man: Very brave last time out when finishing second. In genuine nick and doesn’t mind the grass track so has to be considered a live chance.
14 Highland Reign: Good in a tougher grade last time out when finishing third. Does like it here, but can be a little hit or miss. Not the worst though.
3 Bobby T: Another lover of this venue and overall the form is pretty good in some handy races, should find this a whole lot easier and be right in contention.
Selections: 8-7-14-3
Race 2
17 Rites Of Zhou: Closed of with a determined effort at Methven to just go down. Has always looked more than capable and a big chance of going one better here.
16 Chloe Rose: Fresh up today for strike-rate stable and while set to do plenty of work can’t be ignored based on some handy workout and trial form.
13 Superfast Lad: Has been knocking on the door for quite a while now, but would be a very deserved winner of this if things were to go right.
15 Luminosity: Bit of a check didn’t help last time but second here two starts back was excellent. Shouldn’t have to wait too much longer to get the so far elusive maiden win.
Selections: 17-16-13-15
Race 3
11 Johnny Eyre: Kept coming at Methven and if anything this looks a little easier again. Should be rewarded with success soon and a sweet trip here today could mean now.
8 Kacie Cullen: So much better than the formline would suggest. Right man in the bike to turn things around in what is a very even looking line up.
1 El Capitan: Two really good runs in last two efforts and from the sweet draw looks a big chance to go one or two better here today with a positive approach.
10 Adam Patron: Hasn’t been a friend of punters this campaign that’s for sure, but is capable and drawn to do no extra work here so expect him to arrive late.
Selections: 11-8-1-10
Race 4
14 Mossman: Had shown plenty in workouts and trials before everything went wrong on debut. Mobile here will help sort that out. Should go close.
11 Under Wraps: Probably not much between him and the stable mate to be fair. Both more than capable of taking this out. Orange sticks with this one too.
8 Deja Blue: Has always looked better than a maiden and slides into a very even contest here today. Can settle off them and get home better than most in this.
1 Razor’s Edge: Stable loves the grass track and this one qualified impressively. Nice draw and a weak front line mean a big chance if on top early.
Selections: 14-11-8-1
Race 5
8 Baileys Diamond: Two cracking runs from two starts thus far and maiden grade doesn’t look set to hold for much longer. In fact, today looks the right kind of day.
3 Petrea Bromac: Will appreciate this challenge after taking on a Sires’ Stakes heat last start. This is a whole lot easier. Handy draw should see her right in commission.
6 Ride In A Concorde: Copped a bit of a check last time out which ended the chances. There were good signs in the fourth before that, enough to be considered in this.
5 Lilac Change: Long time maiden but looked sharp late at Orari and might not be the worst chance in this line up if everything fell into place.
Selections: 8-3-6-5
Race 6
17 Mils McArdle: Handy run last time out after doing a little bit of work. Knocking on the door of a maiden success and with half a chance here looks the one to beat.
18 Budvar Eyre: Keeps running strong races but is going to need a little bit more luck from the carpark draw. Dangerous if Gavin Smith can plot a perfect path.
4 Kenya: In good nick without much luck. If he happened to ping away from the tapes and find the markers they might not see which way he goes. Can win it.
12 Regatta: Eye-catching effort on debut to finish third in a good maiden field. Won’t have to go too much better than that to be a big player here either.
Selections: 17-18-4-12
Race 7
9 Jaw D Nancy: Got it right the other day and was very good running sixth. Wide open affair here and no surprise to see a winning effort if the right one turns up.
7 Chivasion: Been around a long time but in this field that might just bode well for him. Can get out and going early and be handy which is where you want to be.
10 Michelle: Enigmatic, but talented. If she was to go things right, she’d go close in this. But there is a big if in there. More upside than most though, so include.
8 DD’s Super Stuart: Better for the fresh up run at Methven after an early gallop. Has shown ability and would be no surprise to see him attacking this late.
Selections: 9-7-10-8
Race 8
4 Delightful Tanner: In excellent touch and was brilliant again at Methven. Has to grind away in her races, but more than capable of doing that here and still winning.
11 Vinnie Rulz: Loves this place and is jumping out of last week’s Green Mile where he wasn’t all that bad. Look out for him late with a cold shot at them.
15 Shadow Minister: Mobile conditions suit but will have to get around them all at some point. He’s been racing in better fields though so give a shot at a nice each way quote.
2 Glory Days: Unlucky at Orari then things didn’t work out here last time. Lethal turn of foot when saved for one run and no surprise to see her in the action here.
Selections: 4-11-15-2
Race 9
15 Matt Damon: In great touch and was simply just too good for them last time out. Will need to work at some point, but is better than most in this and should win again.
16 Cast No Shadow: Dealt a pacing lesson to them on the grass at Methven to open the campaign and then solid since. Should enjoy this challenge and looks a big hope.
12 Norman Richards: Under rated pacer who was an excellent winner at Oamaru and can make his own luck in this, especially if he happens to land near to the speed early.
4 All About Henry: Sharp improvement expected from Methven run. Eight time in the money out of 10 starts on the track and with a quick beginning will give plenty of cheek.
Selections: 15-16-12-4
Race 10
12 Doff Your Cap: Got it right at Methven and went down fighting to finish third. Confidence building that one and now should be able to go on with it. Goes close here.
3 Cabella Noir: Never far away in all runs back this campaign and excellent manners are a big plus here. Should be near to the speed and right in on the action.
4 Rogie Falls: More like it in last two efforts including excellent run at Methven. Just needs to land a little handier to the speed and then he’s a big winning hope.
9 Young Stranger: Spotted putting in some good work late last time out and should be at peak fitness now. He’s good when he’s on song and perhaps that might be today.
Selections: 12-3-4-9
Race 11
9 Emmersyn Lee: Desperately unlucky at Orari late last month and then good against some top fillies last time out in a Sires Stakes heat. Can run all these down up the long straight.
7 Lilac Star: Both runs back from a spell have been excellent. Loves this track and won’t mind having to do a little bit of work either. Looks a strong each way chance.
11 Soundslikeart: Getting better with racing and going good enough to be considered a winning change in this, especially if able to get a sweet run through from the second line.
5 Ava Adore: Flash at them late last time out when in a fresh state. That bodes well for this with natural improvement and certainly not the worst hope here.
Selections: 9-7-11-5
BEST: 8 Baileys Diamond (Race 5)
NEXT: 11 Johnny Eyre (Race 3)
VALUE: 9 Emmersyn Lee (Race 11)