Racing: Avondale topweight well placed as an early banker

Local Just A Swagger is a solid each-way hope for one of the features, the Hawkes Bay Steeplechase. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today

There is plenty to keep punters interested today with a good card of jumping events at Hastings interspersed with racing at Avondale.

Golden Silence (No1, R1) is going to be difficult to contain in the opening race at Avondale today.

Last week he finished fourth behind The Mooseisloose and Lunus, which is a much stronger form race than this. Earlier he had placed form behind the likes of Zlato and Sanjeev.

He often makes it hard for himself by getting too far off the pace and the small field here will better suit his racing style. Track Brat (No2) is probably still under-rated and will take beating with Maija Vance's 3kg claim.

There is a saying in racing that weight will stop trains, but often not 2-year-olds. We've seen plenty of cases where talented youngsters have successfully carried big weights. Comme Tu Veux (No1, R2) will have to do that today if she is to complete a winning treble.

Last start she gave Direct Dash (No2) 1kg and beat him by 1 lengths. The 2.5kg gap in weights this time should bring them closer together, but will it get him past the topweight?

You have had to be impressed by Comme Tu Veux's determination and ability to slug it out in bad ground and she'll give another big shake today. She's worth the risk, even at the weights.

Pennacchio (No8, R3) looked impressive winning first-up at Avondale and can make it two on end here. She has drawn the outside gate, but has plenty of natural seed and Sam Spratt should be able to get her across to the rail.

Josun (No9) is close to another win. He wasn't beaten by much last start and finished powerfully.

Lakeland Queen (No1, R5) should be a weight special. In her past three starts she has carried book weight in two open handicaps and a R90 event and finished thirds to talented types in My Lips Ar Sealed, Oriental Lad, Irish Colleen, Pindy and Beau Casual. This time she not only drops back to R80 grade, but claims a 4kg apprentice allowance, which drops her weight to 54kg.

Amelia Denby has ridden a couple of winners now, so she's not just a passenger and if there is any justice at all the combination should be winning.

Desert Lad (No2, R6) finished only fifth at Tauranga last week, but he was just 1.3 lengths from the winner, battling away quite well.

That was his first start for a month and he should be improved by it. He's well up to this R70 grade and looks a great each-way prospect today.

After his dashing debut second at Ellerslie last start, El Presidente (No4, R9) will be a warm favourite to break through here. He turned on a remarkable finish after such a slow start and kept getting to the finish strongly. If he repeats that he'll win this. Rediyme (No6) is getting closer.

The step to 1400m will be ideal for Rusty Devil (No2, R10). He can really finish his races off when allowed time to settle early and if the pattern is suiting back runners - and it should be particularly late in the day - watch for him to be finishing off strongly.

Being a back runner he shouldn't be inconvenienced by the wide barrier.

At Hastings, Mikemendaad (No1, R8) is going to take beating in the Hawkes Bay Steeplechase - his record of six 'chasing wins from eight starts is outstanding.

But, weightwise, he might have a job on his hands to give Climbing High (No6) 4kg.

Mikemendaad won't want to get too far off the speed, because Climbing High will be on the pace, and perhaps even making it and that 4kg will come into play even more if Mikemendaad is giving the other horse a decent start in the closing stages. Mikemendaad can certainly win, but at the relative odds, Climbing High is a great each-way bet.

Local trainer Paul Nelson is always hard to beat at home and his pair Just A Swagger (No2) and No Rush'n (No 4) are trifecta prospects.

Weight may also be the issue in the Hawkes Bay Hurdles. Harvest The Gold (No8, R5) is in great form and has only 63.5kg on his back.

The .5kg above the minimum is ideal for his smallish frame. Even better, he has Jonathan Riddell to help him around.

The sprint at Hastings, Race 9, is a beaut - it should be a stunning race. Veloz (No2) was run down by Yanna Marie, who had the fast lane wide at Wanganui last start and did well to hold second. He looks well placed here, but it won't be easy in this field.

If David Walsh can find him a decent trip from his wide gate he will finish this off well.

What a sight old Bulginbaah (No1) is going to give with his massive 61kg. Don't miss this one.