The Shark heads to the first Manawatu Harness Racing Club meeting of the new season and goes in search of success.
For more punting information head to The Punters Lounge
Race 1
8 Sundon’s Flyer: Stand start toff who was good enough to win on Cup Day last year. Should eat the handicap up pretty quick and be hard to beat.
7 Stylish Duke: Blair Orange’s choice of three Michael House runners. That bodes well for the chances, should be at peak fitness by now.
6 Laura Bush: Did a good job in this part of the world last season. Will get better with racing but still an each way hope here today.
5 Takenoprisoners: With manners, he’d go close to winning this but doesn’t always bring them to the party. Each way prospect, but with risk.
Selections: 8-7-6-5
Race 2
4 Artfilly Crafted: Into the House stable and has always shown a modicum of ability. Expecting things to turn around sharply here with a big performance.
3 Den’s Legacy: Handy enough pacer who should relish the drop in grade here today. Primed to produce a big effort.
2 Scelta Uno: Loves a trip around the Manawatu and although fresh here today should have the all round game to be competitive from the handy draw.
1 Iamthedream: Not the worst chance here, does race well on the track and comes up with the plum draw. Will be out to make the most of it.
Selections: 4-3-2-1
Race 3
7 Ace Strike: Done a good a job in the five career starts to date, all in fields much stronger than this. Small field suits and negates the draw. A big chance.
2 Ohoka Bandit: Into the Michael House stable after showing a little bit of ability in three career starts. Won’t be far away here today.
3 Absolut Russian: Another who joins the House juggernaut. Gate speed to burn which is a big plus so likely to land on the speed and the right man in the bike.
5 Machteer: Fresh up from a spell and has done a good enough job in the career to date to warrant some serious consideration in today’s assignment.
Selections: 7-2-3-5
Race 4
2 Fancy Schmancy: Over raced but kept coming to finish second in a fresh state last time out. Drawn up to dominate this assignment today.
3 Tempo Rose: Has competed, and competed well, in much stronger fields than this. Handy enough draw and should get a sweet run near to the speed.
9 Red Terror: Form has bounced off a bit, but does go well here – as does the stable. Warrants a bit of respect in the hope things turn around.
1 Contractual Issues: Loves the Manawatu and gets the perfect draw for tonight’s resumption. Shouldn’t be too far from the speed the whole way so good place hope.
Selections: 2-3-9-1
Race 5
8 Jingles Bromac: Has really turned the corner in recent starts and racing strongly currently. Tricky wee draw but good enough to turn it into a positive one.
7 The Kapiti Express: Races best here and has had one run under the belt to ready for this. Wide draw is a bit of a problem, but can overcome it and be a big player.
6 Mucho Macho Man: Orange lumps for this one over three House stablemates. That’s usually a good sign. Always been capable and might stand up here.
10 Changearound: Big win last time out down at Oamaru. Joins the House stable and won’t be far away from the action here today.
Selections: 8-7-6-10
Race 6
1 Voodoo Prince: One from one on the track and Orange in the bike. That ticks a couple of boxes straight away. Should be very hard to beat in a fresh state.
8 Matai Minky: Barrier draw could work out perfectly and with a dream run behind the speed can certainly get in on the action late in proceedings.
5 Westar Sam: Loves a run around here and has been in stronger fields than this. Expecting the form line to bounce back to looking good here today.
4 Stevie Lynn: Hasn’t had much luck in the career but when it did come the runs were excellent. Orange in the bike today so gets the big tick of approval.
Selections: 1-8-5-4
Race 7
7 Payment Plan: Too bad to be true last time out. Wide draw here, but does have the game to win this in what is a very even looking line up.
3 Tactful Reaction: Has looked smart enough in workouts and trials ahead of today’s debut. Stable will have him ready and a big effort expected.
1 Jessie Kelly: Honest toiler who is never far away from the action. Has the House polish on today so that may turn things right around.
8 Yankee Dancer: Barrier draw should work out OK and decent enough in two runs back from a spell this time in so not the worst.
Selections: 7-3-1-8
BEST: 2 Fancy Schmancy (Race 4)
NEXT: 1 Voodoo Prince (Race 6)
VALUE: 8 Jingles Bromac (Race 5)
