Racing: Leica Scotch looks value bet in big field at Tauranga

It hasn't been a vintage season for Roger James and Paul Mirabelli, but a late charge could continue at Tauranga and Hastings today.

Leica Scotch is going to be a touch of value in the $60,000 Winning Edge Presentation 1600 (Race 7), simply because of the depth of the field.

There has always been a sense of emerging talent about Leica Scotch, something that was hampered by leg issues. The 4-year-old was a good thing beaten when blocked for a home-straight run at Ellerslie last week.

In this big field luck is going to play an important part again and if Leica Scotch can find his share of it, look out.

Tanalised is another who was luckless last week, being caught three and four wide from his outside gate. Forgive him that. And Lady Chaparral's fifth to Juice at group one level last start is great form going into a race like this.

John Sargent had been undecided whether to run his talented juvenile Warspirit at Tauranga or Hastings.

He'd be extremely difficult to head off in the opener at Hastings and if he ran at Tauranga in Race 2 a quinella result with Nancho Bella looks a good result. Warspirit, a big improver, got lost at the back of the field in the Manawatu Sires last start and could not recover.

Nancho Bella looked a filly on the rise at Te Aroha last start where she was slow, improved wide on the home bend and kept coming at the leaders. The small field this time is definitely in her favour.

Hill Of Gold (No1, R4) started from gate No15 at Te Aroha last start and paid the price. The extra ground she covered was not much less than the four lengths she finished behind winner Anna Maria and from a better gate this time she should figure. Kingston Samba (No3) is learning all the time and is close to a win.

Loviste (No4, R5) looks a good bet from a good draw. One of her rivals, Tsardurka (No1) beat her a nose at Ellerslie last start and Loviste meets him 1.5kg better off this time. Alvin Ng is gaining experience all the time.

At Hastings, Warspirit (No2, R1), as mentioned, will be difficult to handle if he travels south.

Race 2 is a great betting affair. Regal Ruler (No2) each way is not a bad way to go. He had to be taken to the front to avoid covering too much extra ground last start and still got the money. The three weeks between runs will be his friend.

One of the each-way value bets looks to be Miss Krisdel (No9, R3). She looked unlucky not to have won a race during a run of minor placings through the summer and last start tackled open company, so you can forgive that. She drops all the way back to R70 for this and being fresh the 1600m should suit. Look for her to be storming home. Phantom Storm (No6) and Kaapdiva (No11) are two to be coupled up with Miss Krisdel in multiples.

Fresh from a decent break, Miss Judged (No7, R5) is going to be difficult to contain. James McDonald has a good draw to work with and this is the sort of field she should handle unless luck goes right against her.

Nightime Jockey (No1, R7) came from what looked to be a very difficult rearward position to win at Ellerslie last start. It was the run of a real emerging stayer and jumping up to 2500m should be no worry to him. The Grogoch (No4) is in great form.

The James/Mirabelli stable can finish their day with a flourish at Hastings. Fiorano (No12, R8) is in the mix in the Hawkes Bay Cup despite a run of form that has some punters screaming "Please, no more."

He went to the front mid-race when beaten into third last start and is probably going to be better ridden quietly here.

He's only one of a stack of chances, but he's going to be at better odds than he's been for a while. Tough betting race.

The stable have a better chance with Firebolt (No3, R9). He looked set up to win when bolting in the trail at Ellerslie last weekend and what beat him narrowly was having to change ground to get clear running in the home straight. He looks a terrific each-way prospect.