I have sorted out nine selections here and in Australia, and it is the Australian runners I’m most confident about on the decent track surface. It really does highlight the fact that if we had a track like Ellerslie in the CD and South Island, owners, trainers and punters would have much more confidence and bet accordingly. Synthetic does have its place but many trainers and owners won’t race on them, so we need to bite the bullet and invest in decent tracks. Hastings is a good example. Sell the place and proceeds can go into constructing a really good StrathAyr course somewhere in the Hawkes Bay.
Bet of the day Sydney Race 4 8.Mahoona $1.85 FF
Value bet of the Day Ashburton Race 8 1.Alottago $4.40 FF
Multi of the Day with the two above to return $81,40 for $10
Otaki
Race 2
Confidence:2/5
5.Phats has placed in stronger company and didn’t get all favours last start. Is ready to show winning form and is a good eachway bet. RP $5, $8.50 FF, $10 Odds Surge
Race 6
Confidence:2/5
2.Dubai’s Potoki won impressively here fresh up. He has always shown above average ability and the ear covers come off. He strikes an average field and can go back to back. RP $2.50, $3 FF, $3.30 OS
Race 8
Confidence:2/5
11.Monologue was very impressive winning her race at Trentham. She closed in excellent sectionals and looks as though she is going to open company. Nice weight and looks a very good eachway bet. RP $3.80, $4.40 FF, $5.00 OS
Ashburton
Race 5
Confidence:2/5
8.Moussaieff has had two runs back now and third up on an improving track, and with the 2kg allowance, he looks the one to beat. RP $4.50, $7 FF
Race 6
Confidence:2/5
8.Texas Dolly was unlucky fresh up despite what the formline comment says, ( Stld Bk OTF, Chal Tn, No Go ).
She will get back but there is a heap of speed in this so she can finish over the top of them. RP $5, $12 FF into $7.50
Race 7
Confidence:2/5
5.Sir Albert was just beaten last start and the rider of the winner, Richard Stomper, used the whip blatantly illegally, so he likely gets in here 1.5kgs lighter than he would have been carrying. Drawn ideally and Bruno will give him every chance. RP $3.50, $3.80
Race 8
Confidence:2/5
1.Alottago won strongly last start with excellent sectionals. There looks to be good speed in this which will suit him nicely and he looks the one to beat. RP $4, $5.50 FF into $4.40
Race 4
Confidence:3/5
8.Mahoona won the Golden Slipper and was to tough and too strong fresh up. She has a great will to win and drawn to get every chance and should beat these at set weights. RP $1.60, $1.85 FF
Race 8
Confidence:3/5
2.Lindermann begins well and should cross and get 2nd outer then maybe lead or sit outside it. He has run the times over a middle distance to say he can kick on these and be very hard to run down. RP $$2, $2.90 FF
