Saturday 11th January 2025
Four out of five – very consistent!!
A late scratching reduced us to five, but we still managed to get fourth of them into the win or place bracket!
Bold Type (8 units win) flew the lids, and after four seconds in a row, we were anxious for him to find winning ways again, and he duly obliged with a dominant win at $1.60.
December and Trobriand (4 units ew both) ran second and third to the expected fav winner, paying $1.80 and $2.90 the place and filling out the exotics…
Catalina Dreaming (5 units ew) continued her consistent run with another third at $1.90.
Six from NZ today on Thorndon Mile day, plus fourteen from Aus gives us a nice round 20 from today’s blackbook, so let’s have a look!!
NZ today…
Enrico
Trentham R2
Not a bad effort from him three weeks ago in the G3 Manawatu Cup, running sixth as the outsider in the field. This is obviously well back in grade and Weatherley jumps back onboard, must go close today, $4.60 fav.
BET: 5 units ew
Manifique
Trentham R6
A painful watch 27 days ago, dead last all the way and steamed home to just miss to Opawa Jack. Strangely enough, Masa jumps ship to OJ today, and while this is a jump in grade, our girl can go close at $9.50.
BET: 4 units ew
Pearl Of Alsace, Aegon, Mali Ston
Trentham R8
We’ve got three in the Thorndon Mile, and there’s some decent horseflesh in this edition…
Pearl of Alsace was sensational in her early career and hasn’t been far off around this level during this prep. Possibly in foal but trialled up in top order recently and McNab and the stable are very bullish about her chances in what might be one of her final races, especially with some give in the ground. Drawn the carpark but if she can muster early ad get slotted in she can take this out. T&D stats are top notch, must go in at $9.
On the same price is Aegon, who ran an improved second in the Great Northern at the end of November on returning from Aus. Vinnie sticks, must be considered…
Mali Ston continues to throw in gutsy performances, gets a decent draw here and another who can figure at $18.
BET: POA 5 units ew Aegon 4 units ew, MS 3 units ew, include in exotics with top two in the market…
Millefiori
Kumara R3
Goes over her fav distance today, but not sure her heart’s in it any more. Gets into a nice spot, but doesn’t like company, so the 7 draw may suit better today, needs to find a finish, $8 on offer…
BET: 4 units ew
Aussie today…
Newfoundland
Flemington R4
Irish import who caught the eye on his third run in Aus in October with Tim Clark producing a top ride for him to win with some style. Produced an identical run to win at Warwick Farm two weeks later then ran a close second on M Cup day followed by fast-finishing fourth 10 days ago in the Bagot. Back in grade for this and looks a threat as $4.40 second fav.
BET: 5 units ew
Ersa
Flemington R6
Her nine length win to break maidens in October last year was top notch and has run in G1 and G3 company since before running two close seconds at the end of last prep. Resumed after 192 days, and she cruised up in the last 200m to win nicely for us five weeks ago then a close second 16 days ago, both at the Heath. Racing well, up to the mile suits, watch for her late at a generous $7.50…
BET: 5 units ew
Joyful Fortune
Flemington R8
Here’s a big call… 800 days away after the win that put him in our blackbook, but he’d won four from ten prior. You’d think he’d need the run but we gotta keep him safe at $8 with Harry up top…
BET: 5 units ew
Lady Shotgun, Lost His Beans
Gold Coast R2
These two carrying similar form, running midfield after a series of wins, and both look solid EW bets at $5.50 and $9.50 in a competitive betting field.
BET: Both 4 units ew
Sky Lab
Gold Coast R4
Goes better on soft going, which he’ll get today. Drops in grade and has won this T&D, EW at $10.
BET: 3 units ew
Zoubaby
Gold Coast R8
Big jump in grade but ran a close fourth in a G3 14 days ago after a dominant win at Randwick two weeks previously. Should be thereabouts if she races handily, a bit $41 on offer…
BET: 3 units ew
Regal Lion
Wyong R7
Done nothing this prep, maybe EW but needs to find his best from to feature in this at $13…
BET: 2 units ew
Russian Dancer
Murray Bridge R4
He showed some fabulous early career form, but hasn’t shown much like it this prep with two last placings, but was well-supported 7 days ago when running third. Fitter, re4ady to win as $3.60 fav.
BET: 8 unit win
Fox Gem
Murray Bridge R7
Does his best work late, so the rise to 2000m suits, EW at $8.50.
BET: 3 units ew
Underhand
Darwin R3
Close third on return two weeks ago, has talent, will be fitter, chance in small field at $4.
BET: 5 unit win
More Likely, Saulok
Albany R6
ML is struggling to win another one but better placed here. Up to the mile should also suit, watch late, $4.40 on offer.
Saulok was very dominant when winning on debut in Sept last year but has had a couple of breaks in between times and three resuming runs have been a bit plain. Needs to lift, $6.50.
BET: Both 3 units ew
Ruler Rocket
Ascot R9
Has talent but a bit erratic, ran last this T&D and grade 21 days ago but if the right RR turns up, he can win this at $23…
BET: 3 units ew
