Fascination Street will likely go out as favourite in the $50,000 Rotorua Stakes today. Photo / Trish Dunell
Yes, borrow a hat to raise to Authentic Paddy if he can overcome his big weight in today's $75,000 Rotorua Cup.
In reality, he should have all sorts of difficulty holding out Storming The Tower with a whopping 6.5kg less.
Storming The Tower looks good each-way value in the Cup at $6 and $2.20.
It is difficult to see him missing a 1-2-3 place in his current form.
The favourite with our TAB last night was Gesemi at $4.50 and $1.85.
In the second feature, the $50,000 Rotorua Stakes, the TAB market looks to be right on the money - Fascination Street $3.80 and $1.60 and Miss Denni at $4.80 and $1.90.
The driving finish Fascination Street was able to produce to win last start would take her close again.
The rapid improver is Miss Denni, here from Chris Waller's Sydney stable in an attempt to pick up black type form.
The wet track may not make her go better than her close second on firm footing last start, but it will put a few of the others out of business.
The opener, the highweight, is not easy. A value runner at $12 last night is the Kevin Myers-trained En Suite (No12, R1). The form on paper does not look flash, but it is better when you factor in that a couple of starts back she ran in the Derby at Ellerslie, copping terrible luck in running. Feroz (No9) and Troy Harris could make a nuisance of themselves.
Koenigsegg One (No6, R2) is probably entitled to favouritism in this, but at double those odds Battle Time (No2) looks great each-way value.
He won well fresh at Tauranga when many thought he couldn't be fit enough then was caught three wide without cover in Xtravagant's fast winning trip at Te Rapa last time. This will be more his style.
Karen Iris (No11, R3) finished a close third when resuming at Te Awamutu last start and would have won clearly but for lugging in badly in the home straight. Trainer Rudy Liefting was unable explain it, but is hoping the switch to a left-handed track will help.
Single Shot (No3) could be the value runner for multiple bettors.
Hollywood Lass (No8, R4) was well beaten behind Xtravagant at Te Rapa last start, but forget that entirely and focus on her winning debut at Te Aroha in which she walked around to win by a margin. She has only to handle the conditions.
Summer's Day (No6, R5) looks one of the better bets on the day. She has bundles of talent and can handle an 'off' track. The short odds are still attractive. Ohope Prince (No6) is the improver after a couple of runs this campaign.
Nomisma (No11, R7) needed her resuming run last start.
She will be a lot fitter here and her ability on a rain-affected track puts her right in contention. A Tad Leica (No6) loves the wet and is tough - two qualities in high demand today.
He Kin Fly (No2, R9) created a huge impression winning on debut at Te Aroha. It will be surprising if he doesn't follow up on that. Travis Star (No3) is in the right form.
