By Mike Dillon
You might find a handful of horses appreciating slightly easier conditions at Avondale today.
Tropical humidity-induced showers in Auckland yesterday had the track rating last night at 2.8 and easy, a relief for those who have been feeling the flint-hard tracks of the last month.
Saludos (No2, R6), Rijeka (No2, R7) are two form runners who won't be adversely affected if the track is easy again today. And the three York Cup favourites Coup De Folie, Tynesider and Ballroom Lady all have good winning form on easy, rain-affected tracks.
Punting when the track conditions are slightly "off" can be dangerous, but if there is a good thing all day it is probably Super Mellay (No1) in the last.
She is a bit underrated, beat a field nearly as strong as this on the final day of the Ellerslie carnival and has form on all types of footing. Super Mellay has to carry 58kg topweight - up 0.5kg despite going up a class - but there are no apprentice claims.
Saludos and Lance O'Sullivan make an appealing combination in the sixth. The mare was never a hope from a shocking barrier on Cup day at Ellerslie and that run can be forgotten.
Diamond Style (No1) has turned in a succession of good performances and will get the perfect trip from the No2 gate. Merimac (No9) is a trifecta chance and Mountain Breeze (No16) is the bolter.
Despite having not won on anything by rain-affected footing Rijeka has been running top races on hard tracks lately. Zahra (No7) won't be easy to topple, her Cup day win at Ellerslie being just reward for being caught wide the start before. The Zabeel influence could see her on the way to much better things. If you punt either one, save on the quinella.
Coup De Folie (No4, R8) is the logical York Cup horse. She races on the speed and kicks hard to the line. Ballroom Lady (No7) will probably be giving her a few lengths start on the corner, which won't make her task easy, but there is a suggestion she could be about to explode and she could surprise a few here, despite racing out of her class. Tynsider likes this track and is an obvious threat.
The sprint is a tough race and the conditions are likely to determine the result. The likely scenario is Mi Signora (No4), with an apprentice allowance, will lead.
If the track is easy it might suit horses running on for a change, in which case The Mighty Finn (No11) and Festival Time (No3) will be charging into it late.
You can forget the recent form of both horses. Te Akau Dancer (No5) loves a bit of moisture.
Takanini has a stranglehold on Race 3 with Zablinka (No1), Breaking News (No2) and Macarena (No6).
Horse Racing: York Cup trio will relish easier track
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