KEY POINTS:
Okay, winter tracks have dried up and apprentice claims are suddenly not as important, but they should still play a major role at Ruakaka today.
James McDonald's 4kg, which won't be lasting long, will be a valuable asset to the formidable Logan/Gibbs team this afternoon.
The 4kg he takes off Stabinthedark (No1, R3) puts the useful stayer right in contention, particularly, as he gets back on to some decent ground after two starts in the heavy stuff. Add that to his course stats of five wins from seven starts and his chances pick up real momentum. Punt Higher (No3) has plenty of ability and this field looks well within his range.
McDonald's claim makes Caramaddy (No9, R5) something of a weight special. The useful mare is going to carry just 50kg, a full 4kg less than anything else in the field. Forget she went around as beaten favourite at Taupo last start, things went wrong and judge her here on her good second to Ka Ching on this track on August 4, when she also struck trouble in running.
Only threequarters of a length separated the pair that day and Caramaddy meets Ka Ching 2kg better off this time. Ka Ching still looks one of the most dangerous rivals. Show Lad (No6) and Bold Contact (No3) are trifecta chances.
Al Qurhah (No1, R1) made a big impression winning at the first set of Te Teko trials and should go close in what is his raceday debut. Silk Spur (No5) won well on debut at Wanganui last week and generally winning form like that gives horses an experience edge over first starters, but Al Qurhah was so professional in winning at Te Teko he is entitled to start favourite. Should be an interesting contest.
Put up $30,000 for the open sprinters and the guns come out of the woodwork.
Race 8 is shaping up as a mini-Railway field with last season's Railway winner Donna Rosita (No8) having her first start since that race facing the likes of the Stewards' victor Clifton Prince (No2), Aimee's Idol (No5), Dezigna (No1) and Belthazar (No7).
Even with his 58kg, Clifton Prince is going to give a great sight. He is almost certainly going to be on the pace and will fight as hard as any of the opposition - the ideal type for Ruakaka. Take a lot of notes on this race for the future.
Stand Tall (No8, R9) should have benefited from a mini-break. He has plenty of ability and provided he doesn't get too far back in this large field from his outside barrier, he should go close to winning.
Our Genes (No6) found a fair amount of trouble at Ellerslie last week and was not suited at the back of the field by an on-pace bias. She could show something at good odds.
Bonjour (No8, R8) looks good each-way value in the $100,000 Merial Metric Mile at Awapuni. He's a class act that has had excuses in his two starts back this campaign and looks well placed today. Samurai (No5) is in the best form of his life and can be guaranteed to be running on in the closing stages, which will be crucial to success in this race. Floydeboy (No3) and Ben Hogan (No13) look the value runners.
Zilt (No7, R4) made a huge impact with back-to-back victories at the end of her last campaign. She looks to have the ability to go right through to the top grades and if she strips close to her best when resuming today, watch out. Have a bit on today and follow her. King Cambo (No11) can also run a big race while fresh.
Towzan (No5, R5) probably didn't get the right breaks at Hastings last time. He is a lot better than that and he could get the money at respectable odds today. Watch out for Prized Punch (No1) in what looks to be an interesting betting affair.
Hi Yo Gotcha (No4, R6) steps up to a middle distance race, which she's been waiting for. That was a nice run for third at Tauranga and she should be fitter for this.
It was a better run from Bear Coat (No1, R7) at Hastings than it looked. He was coming off a break and should be closer to full fitness now. He's no champion, but could be each way value today.
The last is an interesting race. Two good types in Untouched (No8, R10) and Taatyana (No3) both resume from winter spells. Untouched is a staying type who might just get away with the 1400m while fresh. She looked good at times as a 3-year-old last season and always gave the impression she would improve with age and maturity.
