By MIKE DILLON
If there is any justice at all Dupre should win at Te Rapa today.
There has been an almost tragic feel to the number of minor placings, particularly close seconds, Dupre has recorded in her career, often to smart horses.
While there is a bit of talent involved this time, any number of Dupre's better efforts would be good enough to win this race, particularly her half-head second to talented Jaiapeno on this track last start. Dupre's record is three starts at Te Rapa for a win and a placing, three starts in heavy ground for a win and a placing and two starts on soft tracks for two placings. That is a record which should look slightly better by tonight. The inside barrier draw could be a problem late in the day and anything that can get her out off the inside rail would almost certainly be an advantage.
Glace Star (No 1, R1) looks a chance in the hurdles. He challenged a fair way out against a better field than this at Ellerslie last week and was left without a finishing punch, but over a distance shorter by 260m and in a comfortable line-up, he looks the goods to start the day.
It took a smart sort in Trizeel to topple Altivine (No 1, R2) at Matamata last start and the rapidly improving 3-year-old should go close to shedding his maiden status. He managed the heavy track well at Matamata, something which will be crucial to success all day today. Pacific Star (No 2) did enough on debut to suggest she can be difficult to deal with.
The maiden steeplechase is a bit of a raffle, but if you must have a bet Oscarwise (No 5, R3) has done enough in only a handful of jumping starts to suggest he could be some hope.
Moments of Magic (No 7, R4) has no form at all on rain-affected footing, but Royce Dowling is too astute to line her up if he did not give her some chance of handling the conditions. She finished only ninth on a soft track at Counties last start, but there was a lot of money to day she could win that day and she may just be sharper this time. Crown Dancer (No 1) has threatened to win a race for a while.
You could make the case that Lady Tee (No 1, R5) has had her chance to win lately, but she has been racing in a bit better class than this and at level weights in Class 2 she gets her chance to win. If you prefer better odds Palliate (No 9) showed plenty in the wet last winter to say she can be an upset chance after a first-up run to fit her at Rotorua. Also, watch King Fly (No 4) if he gets loose, wet conditions.
Among the wide array of chances in Race 6, 3-year-old All Lies (No 4) makes appeal. He looked likely to win at Waipa last start when in front on the home turn, but he was swamped late and finished fifth. That was his first start for nine months and is almost certain to have improved his fitness. Soroya (No 3) is fresh, but can turn in a top run, while Roman Tuscany (No 2) and Darcy (No 5) are chances in a wide open field for the second leg of the TAB treble.
If the finishes of the middle distance races come down to a slog, and you can bet next week's wages they will, Le Rah (No 2, R7) might be too gritty for the opposition. His hurdling background and tough race when second at Ellerslie last weekend just might have him too tough and seasoned. Gone Some More (No 5) is the danger and Isle Floorem (No 1) might be a bit of treble value.
Difficult to make any sense out of the first leg of the TAB double, Race 8. The classiest horse, Mr Bond, will need the footing to be very loose to be comfortable and is therefore a risk. Money Machine (No 8) has been disappointing, but is worth one more try in this field.
Wa Zebenza (No 4, R10) could not finish off his effort at Rotorua last time, but that was his first start back following a spell and he may have needed it. Give him another chance on the track he scored his only win on.
Racing: Victory long overdue for honest place-getter Dupre
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