The Shark heads to one of the most iconic race days in New Zealand, Kaikoura Cup Day at the beautiful South Bay Racecourse for a massive day of harness racing action.
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Race 1
17 Copperfield: No luck fresh up at Addington, but that was always a strong possibility from the draw. Classy at best and although a long way off them here, hard to beat.
3 Roll The Dice: Copped a bit of a check at the top of the straight at Ashburton but rallied nicely for second. Well drawn here and shouldn’t be too far away.
1 Dongeal Davy Boyd: The penny has well and truly dropped with two strong winning efforts in last two starts. Set to rock and roll here today again from the draw.
4 Can I Be Me: No dice on the grass last time out, but better than that. Stable and driver combo is firing on all cylinders and right in the mix here today.
Selections: 17-3-1-4
Race 2
1 Freddiesam: Getting better and better with each and every start and comes up with the right draw in the right race to get that elusive maiden victory today.
2 Navagio: First starter from the Barron stable with an impressive trial under the belt. Couple of options out of the gate here and can press the #1.
4 Beaudiene Hustler: Has look reasonably handy in workouts and trials heading into today’s debut. Small field will assist the chances. Not the worst.
6 Tasman Tempest: Shown plenty of upside in public runs ahead of today’s debut and was an impressive trial winner last week to ready for this.
Selections: 1-2-4-6
Race 3
3 Majestic Mannequin: Handy type fresh up from a spell here and was handy in a workout victory recently. Could jump and run them here and they might not catch.
6 Idle Stuartia: Manners let them down at Ashburton but maiden win at Addington prior to that was clinical and smart. Will win more races, just needs to get it right.
7 Sierra Gold: Very good in a strong field at Ashburton last week after finding the front early. Can repeat the dose here with similar tactics.
12 You Really Got Me: Ability in abundance but no certainty on the manners yet. A full round would be a winning one, but no confidence on that happening.
Selections: 3-6-7-12
Race 4
1 Lonestar Lad: Hasn’t run a bad race for a very long time and gets into a winnable affair here too. Needs to jump and run but good enough to win with the right run.
7 Overzealous: Lovely fresh up effort behind Oscar Bonavena last week at Ashburton. Will only be fitter for that and can rush right at them late here and get the prize.
11 Idle Moose: Has come back strong this time in with three really good runs. Peak fitness now and right man in the mike to make things happen.
9 With Ice: Ability is there just needs patient hands to get to the line in one piece. Wouldn’t be the worst in this if everything fell into place.
Selections: 1-7-11-9
Race 5
4 Virgil: Bit to like about the effort in a Sires’ Stakes heat recently. That form, with this draw, should bode well for a big performance here today. The one to beat.
12 Down To The Bone: Big effort to run second in Sires’ Stakes heat, but barrier draw isn’t too much help here. Will be getting home strongly though so has to be considered.
5 Mach Da Vinci: Nice type back from a spell after doing a really strong job last season. Trialled up nicely and has the right man in the bike to make things happen.
1 Where’s Daddy: Won like a good horse at Methven but this is like going from the frying pan into the fire. Wouldn’t count him out, but will have to be even better.
Selections: 4-12-5-1
Race 6
7 Destiny Jones: In great form and rounded things off nicely at Ashburton last week albeit beaten by 12 and half lengths. Good beginning and a sweet trip and she can win.
5 Habibi Inta: Hit the line nicely last week but Destiny Jones did run past him. Master trainer will have him right on target for this and shouldn’t be too far away.
2 Valloria: Too far back at Ashburton off the back mark but found the line well. Much better suited here from the handy draw and can at least fill a placing.
6 Bordeuax: Former winner of this race who was handy enough in first race back for a long time. Will have taken plenty from that and shouldn’t be too far away here.
Selections: 7-5-2-6
Race 7
3 Another Masterpiece: Very good run in behind Spankem and co. five days ago. Little pro who will ping away and get himself in the right spot. Can go close too.
8 Classie Brigade: Stand start flyer who will be looking to get across them early here – and can do it. Dangerous if able to get own terms in front.
6 Cruz Bromac: Manners a bit of an issue late at Ashburton, but so much better than that so allow another chance. Good enough to win if he’s at the top of his game.
10 Nandolo: Really liked the last stages of his most recent run. Saved for one run and really charged to the line. Might look to do that again here and could surprise.
Selections: 3-8-6-10
Race 8
3 Taxman: Three from three this time in and headed for bigger and better things it would seem. Stand start might be the issue but with clean heels early it’s game on.
7 Cast No Shadow: Has returned in fine form with two very good runs. Can get right into this too if Orange can work his magic and find the right spot to be in.
11 Arden Roanoke: Talented pacer with a pretty impressive formline. This has been the target and with a good beginning and the right kind of luck can make the most of it.
1 Heisenberg: Big effort after things went wrong early at Ashburton last week. Needs to step cleanly, but best version with clear air would be hard to beat here.
Selections: 3-7-11-1
Race 9
9 Letterkenny Boy: Saved for the one run at them and came too quick at Addington. Will be looking for something similar here and can win again with one cold shot.
6 Jay Tee Tyron: Nice type back from a spell and has been quietly handled in workouts and trials to prep for this. Will give it a pretty good shake.
7 Ivana Flybye: No dice at Ashburton last week but prior runs had been excellent. A little luck early on and the right kind of run and she can unleash late.
11 Go Davey: Hasn’t had the best of luck lately but there’s encouraging signs there still. Hot speed will bring him right into contention here with any luck.
Selections: 9-6-7-11
BEST: 1 Freddiesam (Race 2)
NEXT: 9 Letterkenny Boy (Race 9)
VALUE: 3 Majestic Mannequin (Race 3)
