KEY POINTS:
Very few punting standouts today, but the fields at Te Rapa are still great betting affairs.
There could be a raft of $5 to $6 favourites.
Leith Innes gets a chance on one of them in the first - Untouched (No13, R1), a Danske filly with Margaret Falconer that showed promise on debut at Ellerslie on October 28.
The track rating was officially dead for that day, but was significantly worse when Untouched ran and finished fifth behind Veloce Bella after getting into trouble early.
There is not a lot of exposed form here and the unraced types may prove to be smart, but Untouched is a decent each-way chance.
My Hangover (No4, R2) is appropriately named to be a winner at this time of year. He is likely to be improved for his run at Hastings on November 25 and rates right up there in this field.
The barrier draw is not good for Media One (No6, R3), but at least it's 1400m and not at the more difficult 1200m starting point. He hasn't had a lot of luck in two starts for the O'Sullivan/Scott stable and Leith Innes' job is to find him a comfortable run from out wide. Young Zeus (No8) gives comeback jockey Sam Spratt a real chance to land a winner on her first day. He did a lot wrong on debut and still managed to finish second.
The last six strides of Everswindell's win at Matamata last start told you she is in for a few more wins. The step up to 1600m will assist the big finish she has and, while this is a smart field, she is going to give it a great shake. Far Too Much (No7) didn't get a lot of luck when fourth here last Saturday. The Silence Sir (No8) raced on Avondale Cup day as though he would appreciate stepping up to 2000m, but he is still good enough to be rated a chance at 1600m here.
Innes and the O'Sullivan/Scott stable link again with Stolen Thunder (No12, R5). He won and lost a race at Hastings on debut then flashed home for second over 1400m on this track last start. The key to his chances is the jump up to 1600m.
An even lot face the starter in Race 6 and Shotgun Start (No7, R6) gets his chance to break maidens. His last two have been useful runs and the last start was his first over a middle distance, which horses usually take benefit from.
If each of the last six tips wins and you're on them, you won't be even close to the happiest person around - Innes will be because he's riding every one of them.
And he's on the horse to beat in the seventh too - Philamor (No5). That was a nice win in the York Cup at Avondale but don't be surprised if one of the well-beaten runners that day in Willy Smith (No6) finishes a lot closer than the 5.75 length margin last start. Willy Smith was hampered by a slow pace in the York Cup, which should be a fair bit different this time. Valley Chief (No8) and Luckshan (No4) are strong trifecta chances.
The wide barrier will make this tougher for Young Centaur (No8, R8) than the passage he struck when he won at Ellerslie last start. He is promising and if he finds a reasonable passage he should be in the finish. Ditto for Teepeem (No6).
Plenty of chances in Race 9. The 1kg Buddy Lammas takes off Beersheba Knight (No1) may prove valuable. He is coming back from a decent break and is the type to race well when fresh. Black Cat (No11) was impressive at Matamata.
The form numerals alongside I Can Sing (No7, R10) are unimpressive, but they should be better. She has had little luck and she needs only a bit of it to turn things around.
