Sunday 23rd February 2025
Return to form…
Another NZ racing débâcle yesterday as Otaki was abandoned after just one race…
Almost understandable in winter, but the middle of summer? Can only assume that rain on a hard track can turn into an ice-rink, but this is happening too often in NZ…
That left us with 28 from the book, producing three winners, three seconds, a third and three fourths…
Star of the show was undoubtedly former Kiwi sprinter Jimmystar, and though we had some concerns that his famous big finish might not come into play back at the 1100m, he make a mockery of that with an outstanding ride from Ethan Brown to get up at $8 for us!
We were pretty confident that a resuming Broadsiding would be good enough to win at Rosehill, and so it proved, paying $3.00.
The other winner was in the opener at Caulfield, where we had two in the race and a slight preference for Pondalowie, but it was Samangu who prevailed, despite weakening out in his last race, and up in grade in this, holding on for a nice win at $3.40.
Pick of the placegetters was Luna Cat, running second and paying a juicy $5.50 the place…
Eleven on a busy Sunday, let’s have a look!!
Eleven for Sunday…
Iron Maiden
Ashburton R2
She was a tidy third on debut just before Christmas and her trainer advised us to blackbook her, and her she is. Looks like a race in three and she’s a real chance at $5.50.
BET: 5 units ew
Those Ocean Eyes
Ashburton R4
Very impressive on debut 18 days ago at Riccy, headed and fought back to win, trainer says she’ll be even better over longer but she sticks at the 1200m and will take some beating, $3.10 on offer…
BET: 10 unit win
Brancaster Bomber
Ashburton R9
Resuming after 102 days away, he’s very consistent and sports some decent T&Ds, has won first-up, EW at $17…
BET: 3 units ew
Flattered
Ballarat R2
The run in May at the Hillside in Open class was top notch, screaming home from last to run second, his fourth in six runs, then ran fourth at Sale before heading to the paddock. Resumed in December at the Valley after 163 days with Billy onboard and steamed home for third. Fitter 40 days ago and massive odds-on but left her run a bit too late and never got near. Billy sticks, picking she’ll make amends today, $5 on offer…
BET: 5 units ew, 10 unit win if the money comes…
Deep Stream
Ballarat R4
Spruiked up and well-supported on debut and charged home for fifth, and we’ve been waiting for him to repeat but without much joy… Resumed from a 221 day spell last month, after trialling twice without threatening, we thought he might need the run and so it proved but he wasn’t far off, finishing well late for fourth at big odds. Fancied he’d feature at $10 26 days ago, but while he looked the winner for a while, he just faded late for a close third. Up to 2000m for this, jockey sticks, still an EW chance in this at $14.
BET: 3 units ew
Cosmic Rhapsody
Ballarat R8
Struggling to make an impact this prep, does tend to get back and finish late so the push out to 1200m may assist but needs to improve, $81 would be nice!!
BET: 2 units ew
Storm De Lune
Nowra R4
Resumes from a three month spell, but it’s been a long time since he saluted. Interest bet at $34
BET: 8 unit win
Ticklebelly, Sunchyme
Nowra R7
Tickleberry noted with a very gutsy win 21 days ago and now goes for the hattrick. Has early speed so she can get across from the carpark draw. Winning jockey sticks, $10 looks tempting.
Even though we were a touch concerned about the heavy going in December at Rosehill, Sunchyme led them a merry dance with an eye-catching win at $12, so the drop back to 1200m 15 days ago should have suited but she jumped midfield and ran last, but that was in BM78. This is way back in grade, she’s 3:1-1 second-up, so $26 looks very tempting, today’s sleeper…
BET: Gonna back both of these 5 units ew, plus exotics
Forty Four Cubits
Nowra R8
Struggling to find her best form this prep, needs to improve, $34 shot…
BET: 2 units ew
Divakara
Sunshine Coast R8
Lightly-raced gelding who’s been going round at short odds and got up here in December. Loves the track but would prefer him over longer, but early markets have him as $4.40 fav in an open race, happy to back him EW…
BET: 5 units ew
