Racing: Great betting fields at Te Rapa

James McDonald. Photo / APN

What a shame it rained yesterday.

There are 12 races full of talented and/or form horses and the club could have scheduled 15 races.

Have a look at a couple of the races, like Race 10, that are fantastic betting opportunities - a fascinating combination of classy horses resuming and fit types that have raced through winter.

If you get it right today, Christmas will come early, provided the fields hold up after the rain.

Saint Pat, particularly with a 3kg claim, will be competitive. The No 17 barrier looks ominous, but if the emergencies come out that will come back to No 12.

He was luckless at Ellerslie last start and the run can be forgotten.

Gaston, the mount of James McDonald, was similarly luckless when just beaten at Ruakaka and you have talented types in Hill Of Gold and Sworn To Secrecy and any number of others that can win. Let's hope the field holds up.

Tudor Bubble can prove it was only a bottomless Manawatu track that beat her last start when she lines up in Race 11.

Her overall form has been sparkling and she almost always gives her best.

It's a tough time of year for 3-year-olds to compete at level weight with the older horses, because they are many kilos worse off in the handicaps.

For that reason it will be interesting to see how two classy types in Magic Briar and Charma cope against their older rivals in Race 8.

Take note of the form today, it will be applicable for the next few months.