Racing: Uncle Shayne in form at Ruakaka

Wide barrier draw aside, there are very few pointers against Antonio Lombardo in the Breeders Stakes. Photo / Sarah Ivey

He's Remarkable is lengths better than this field if he's close to his best form.

Local form is critical at Ruakaka.

Horses trained there are similar.

Which makes Uncle Shayne a pretty good proposition in Race 3 there today.

He has a record from 11 starts of three wins and two seconds on the track, which is as good a recommendation as you can get.

Last start he nearly topped off Smoking Chimney's on the big day at Hastings and in dropping back to a slightly easier race this time makes him look good on paper.

Dancing Chief finished close up in that same Hastings race after missing a gap in the home straight and with his record on this track (4 starts for a win and 2 placings) he rates highly.

A formline of 0960- looks pretty ordinary, but He's Remarkable (No5, R2) is lengths better than this field if he's close to his best form. He comes into this field on 54.5kg as a horse that probably should have won the $1 million 2000 Guineas last November. If he's ready, watch the finish on him.

Race 4, maidens over 2000m! Well, if you're an every-race bettor Forty Twenty (No2) is not the worst. He was narrowly beaten on this track last start.

Celeris (No2, R5) might have been looking at the back door of her career when she bled in the Telegraph in January, but she is back and bleeding is not a life sentence unless, under the Rules Of Racing, they bleed again. She is an extremely brilliant mare and has a record of two wins from three fresh-up starts. They are going to have to go quick here to beat her because Leo Molloy can get them ready fresh from a spell. Don't underestimate Ego (No1), who races in similar ownership.

Race 6 is tricky, but don't take Fast Love (No3) lightly. She finished second to Keep The Peace in her Cambridge barrier trial and has performed well when fresh previously. Whatever she does today she will improve on, but she might surprise a few. Course winner Shandream (No1) will be tough to beat.

The wide barrier draw aside, there are very few pointers against Antonio Lombardo (No1, R7) in the Breeders Stakes. He is speedy, he wasn't far removed from the best juveniles last season and he pushed champion 2-year-old Anabanadana to a nose in the Manawatu Sires Produce. He looked good at the recent Cambridge barrier trials, where he beat open sprinter San Bernadino.

There is a lot of emerging and established talent in this race. Shanghai Bund (No4), Sir Lovesalot (No5), Society Lady (No9) and Duckworth Lewis (No2) are among them.

Idalmar (No1, R8) would have won but for an ordinary gate opening here when resuming last start. He's been placed in three of his five raceday appearances and deserves a turn. So, too, does Uwillbeglorious (No2). Universal Magic, who beat him at Tauranga last start, is pretty useful and would win this race easily. Time Pays (No3) gets no luck and has drawn out wide here. He can still play a part in the trifecta though.

Race 9 is a head-scratcher. Witz End (No6) looked smart in only five starts as a juvenile in the old season and is worth a look here. He has drawn well and has the speed to stay handy. El Menear (No9) is the value with Alex Forbes' 4kg claim.

The last is hardly a get-out race, but Tekeela (No 12, R10) is a real chance. She got home strongly here last start and jumps from 1600m to 2100m.