Saturday 3rd February 2024
Boomshanka!
Now we’re just showing off…
We suggested the step up to the mile would suit this fast-finish lad, and he duly obliged in a blanket finish at a mouth-watering $34.60/$8.90 despite the betting drift. The 3 units ew would have put more than a bit of cash into the coffers on another Boomshanka day for PG’s Tips, and another Hall of Fame entry!!
Twenty from the book today, over half of them in NZ’s two meetings, let’s dive in!!
NZ today…
HENRY HUBBER, AMBERECHO, CHOKITO
Wingatui, 4
Very tight betting race with less than $8 between the fav and the outsider. HH ($5.00) got up 14 days ago for us at nice odds, beating today’s fav at Gore, with Amberecho ($5.50) in eighth. Chokito has run two close seconds in a return to form, and goes round as the $11 outsider.
BET: HH 5 units ew, A 3 units ew, CH 2 units ew, exotics.
CAPO DELL IMPERO, LOCHNABERRY
Wingatui, 7
CDI has two from his last three for us and tackles the 2400m today for the first time, should suit his race pattern, $4.20 fav in a decent field. Lochnaberry has won twice for us this campaign also, and she steps out to this distance for the first time and capable of making the frame at $26.
BET: CDI 5 units ew, LB 3 units ew, exotics
LORD DARCI
Wingatui, 9
Great runs for third in his last two, down to G3 and has won at this grade. Loves the distance, Smilin’ Joe jumps onboard, definite chance and value at $9.50.
BET: 5 units ew
SHAMELESS BOY
New Plymouth, 2
Showed a lot of character with a gritty effort on debut a month ago when headed and fighting back to win on the line. Ace draw, up to 1400m, $2.30 fav, looks like a race in two.
BET: 10 unit win, 10 unit quinella with Malachy
SHAMUS, LADIES MAN
New Plymouth, 4
Shamus won six of his first eight, resumed this prep with two runs a bit on the short side for him, so up to the 1400m where he’s 3:2-0 looks ideal. Fitter, has win third up, down in grade, $2 fav, that’ll do us. Ladies Man was going well before a three month break at G1 and G4 levels. Good T&D stats and certainly not out of this as the $17 outsider.
BET: Shamus 10 unit win, LM 3 units ew, exotics
DARK DESTROYER
New Plymouth, 6
Not done much this prep but is unbeaten in four on heavy ground, makes him a chance at $8.50.
BET: 4 units ew
LET FLY
New Plymouth, 8
Her run at Taupo in early Nov was an eyecatcher, blocked for a run when looking the likely winner, and we’d been waiting for her to re-appear, and when she did at Ruakaka a month ago, she duly obliged with a belting win by 3.5 lengths. Only fly in the ointment today is her 3:0-0 record on heavy, and makes us a little cautious, even as $3.70 fav.
BET: 6 unit win
Aussie today…
YOSEMITE FALLS
Caulfield, 2
Up in grade and distance, last win was gritty at Seymour, the value runner in this at $9.50.
BET: 5 units ew
BIFROST
Caulfield, 3
Former Kiwi who spaces his wins out a bit but capable on his day. Gets back in the run but finished on well on resuming 14 days ago and will be fitter. Upgrade to Shinn onboard will do no harm at all… $17 on offer.
BET: 3 units ew
BULLET WING
Caulfield, 5
Tried to lead all the way 21 days ago at Flem and just run down late, a creditable effort at SP $21. He’s batter than the $13 odds suggest, and can win this…
BET: 5 units ew
JIMMYSSTAR
Caulfield, 10
Another ex-Kiwi making a big splash in Aussie with two wins from two there, massively impressive, sell the farm, he wins again as $2 fav.
BET: 10 unit win
KRISTILLI
Rosehill, 4
Noted on debut running second and obliged next up with a win at $19 before a 4 month break. Must have had issues, finishing last on resuming in August/Sept before another break. Trialled twice for this, might need the run in this small field at $9.50
BET: 4 unit win
DAYTONA BAY
Eagle Farm, 10
Very consistent, went well on resuming, never missed the top five in 14 runs. Orman sticks, $2.30 fav in a race in two, hard to beat.
BET: 8 unit win, 10 unit quinella with Emperor
HAYAI MESU
Morphettville, 2
Second-up and has a good record in that state. Finished well from the back for fifth 17 days ago, value in this at $11.
BET: 3 units ew
MARKWELL DREAMER
Newcastle, 8
Back in grade on resuming, trialled up nicely for this, T&Ds OK and has done well first-up, chance in this at $8.50.
BET: 4 units ew
BLAZING TYCOON
Ascot, 12
Generally thereabouts at big odds, though win strike rate is of concern. EW shot at $17.
BET: 3 units ew
