Saturday 25th January 2025
Boom, boom, boom!!!
And back to winning ways!!
Three winners, two thirds and a fourth from our ten yesterday!
Wins for Oakeys Choice (7 unit win, $3.20), Bodhi Boy (10 unit win, $2.70) and Oak Hill (10 unit win, $4.70).
Places for Catalina Dreaming (third yet again!), Cornelian Bay and Appin Girl.
Huge day of racing today, culminating with the Railway this evening at Ellerslie, and we have blackbookers in all six races for you, and nineteen overall in NZ, plus thirteen from Aussie to come, let’s dive in!!
Big day in NZ today!!
Poetic Champion
Ellerslie R1
G2 placegetter who blew ‘em away on resuming in the Colin Meads in September, but faded to fourth at Matamata a month later before heading for a 3 month break. Trialled up for a win two in December, then proceeded to knock off the much-vaunted Sweynesday on NY Day this T&D, he’ll do me to get us off to a good start as $2.70 fav.
BET: 10 unit win
What You Wish For
Ellerslie R2
Went in the book with a dazzling finish at Matamata in early October, last all the way and got up on the line under Opie. Billy Pinn jumped on last month in the G3 but he never featured. Seemed suited when back to the mile here on NY Day, but he got back early, making some late headway for eighth. $23 in this, but the kicker is B Shinn up top, keep safe…
BET: 3 units ew
Belclare
Ellerslie R3
Back from a spell and back from Aussie and is 2:2 here, though is 5:0-0 first-up. However, she is $4.40 fav here, so respecting the money… Will try to lead all the way.
BET: 4 units ew
Miss Ziggy
Ellerslie R4
She’s been pretty consistent in her four runs to date, this is tougher but could give a sight at $41.
BET: 3 units ew
Yaldi, Dealt With, Tuxedo
Ellerslie R5
We’ve got three in this, all with good credentials…
Yaldi won the Guineas here on Boxing Day before a close third here 13 days ago, $6.50 on offer.
Dealt With is two from two and on the six day back-up. Again, this is tougher, steps up to the mile and he’ll try to win from the front, just depends whether he sees it out, $7.
Tuxedo won his first two before a second here 24 days ago. Also rates well at $8.
BET: Can back all these 4 units ew, plus include in exotics
Alabama Lass, Crocetti, Waitak, Master Fay
Ellerslie R6
Four in this and plenty of decent horseflesh going round in the Railway…
Sticking with Alabama Lass, even though she was beaten in the 1000 Guineas by Captured By Love, and they’ve both trialled up well recently, but AL to win as $2.90 fav.
Crocetti looks to be returning to his best and will be dangerous, $6 shot.
Waitak is honest but found the Telegraph a bit rich 21 days ago, EW chance at $11.
Master Fay is good, but again may find this a bit too much, $34 on offer.
BET: AL 10 unit win, can back the others EW and include in exotics with AL to win.
Bona Fide
Riccarton R4
Plenty of support a month ago at Timaru and duly obliged with an impressive all the way win. Fancied her to push on with it at Riccy 10 days ago but she faded late after her usual early speed. Will be better for that experience and expect her to figure in the finish today, $19 looks tempting!
BET: 3 units ew
Tommy Shelby
Riccarton R6
Spruiked up like a good ‘un on Boxing Day and won accordingly, cruising up from the back to run away and win by nearly 8 lengths. Up in distance a week ago at Wingatui and was produced beautifully by Moseley for a very ice win. Up in grade but certainly sticking with him as $4.60 second fav.
BET: 5 units ew
Capo Dell Impero
Riccarton R7
Won at nice odds for us two back but did nothing 28 days ago at Timaru over the mile. Back to the 2000m where he’s 5:3-1, and he’s a decent EW punt at $13.
BET: 3 units ew
Buoyant, Amberecho
Riccarton R8
Buoyant’s early career stats were outstanding, but seven runs in Aussie saw him last or close to last but in higher grades but resumed in NZ and ran three fourths. We fancied him to break through on Boxing Day and he duly obliged at decent odds under De Oca but then sank without trace 24 days ago at Riverton. His stats are too good to dismiss him entirely but he’ll need to lift, $19 shot.
Amberecho has been better in her last two, but this is tough, outsider’s chance at $31.
BET: Both 2 units ew
Enrico
Whanganui R7
The drop back to this grade from G3 did the trick for him at Trentham 14 days ago as he was produced right on time to win for us. Ticks w few boxes and looks ready to win again as $4 fav.
BET: 5 units ew
Five Bells, Andersons Bay
Whanganui R8
The win by FB 21 days ago was a bit of a surprise, but now she’s got the idea she’s a threat in this, especially up to the 2040m, watch for her late, $4.80 second fav.
AB simply hasn’t shown up in three runs back after previous encouraging form.. Hard to assess where he goes from here, $23 shot.
BET: FB 4 units ew, AB 2 units ew
Aussie today!!
Pondalowie, Philosopher
Sandown R5
Pondalowie resumes from a three month break, goes well first-up and at this distance and Billy sticks, close betting race, small field but she can win at, $4 on offer.
Philosoper is very consistent, will try and lead all the way, place for sure.
BET: Pondalowie 8 unit win, Philosopher 5 units first three
Chorlton Lane
Sandown R8
Consistent again and rates well enough as $2.70 to win this.
BET: 8 unit win
Ndola
Sandown R9
Noted bolting home in August here then ran seventh in the Poseidon a month later. The jump to 1400m in September looked ideal and he was backed in with some venom and won accordingly. Resumes from a four month break, ticks all the boxes, watch late, $4.20 fav.
BET: 5 units ew, 10 unit win if the money comes
Sunshineinmypocket
Sandown R10
Won his first three in some style before getting a bit too far back at Bendigo in April. Resumes from a huge 287 days spell, Jaylah jumps on and can win on return, $3.80 fav.
BET: 10 unit win
Clear Thinking
Randwick R3
Noted with an amazing win here last July, trapped and seemingly out of it with 300m to go, she found a gap and flew home to make it three wins from three. Been waiting for her to re-appear and here she is. Bullock is 2:2 onboard and has been on the two trials recently. Will need to be at her best to beat this fav but we’re confident she can do it, $3.20 second fav, race in two.
BET: 10 unit win, 10 unit quinella with HS
Stanislaus
Sunshine Coast R6
Needs to get back to his early form, resumes after along break so may need this, $10 on offer.
BET: 3 units ew
Wheels
Morphettville R7
Drops in grade but needs to improve, $34 shot.
BET: 2 units ew
Ramones
Newcastle R7
Not going well enough right now,needs to improve, $23 shot.
BET: 2 units ew
Shuri
Newcastle R8
Pretty consistent, and very good on her day. Resuming and a big show in this as $8 second fav.
BET: 5 units ew
Sting Jet
Warwick R7
Resumes after a disappointing prep in the Spring. Capable but need this, $3.90 in a small field.
BET: 5 units top three
Shore To Happen
Warwick R8
Hasn’t backed up the smart debut win, will be better for resuming run, $5.50 here.
BET: 3 units ew
Advance To Jaffa
Great Western R3
Debut ride was unlucky as he got blocked for a run, then ran a close third before a break then a sixth at Ballarat. Tried to resume on NY Eve but scratched at the barrier, if he behaves he should go close as $2.20 fav.
BET: 8 unit win
