Racing: Winning habit becomes addictive

Addictive Habit has had six starts for two wins and three placings and he should go close again today. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Trainer Lee Somervell is extremely confident Addictive Habit has freshened sufficiently to run a bold 1600m in today's $25,000 Ada Parnwell Tribute (R9) at Te Rapa.

Which puts the horse in a rare group. Only a handful of horses could, in 14 days, recover sufficient freshness for 1600m after a tough 2100m Taumarunui Cup.

Addictive Habit was relegated from his dead-heat position in that race to be officially announced second, but it was a fine effort. Something similar would see him go close today. Addictive Habit's 1600m record helps back up Somervell's opinion - six starts for two wins and three placings.

Difficult to know where to go after Addictive Habit, but Sarsarun (No2) has won a barrier trial since last racing and has plenty of ability when in form.

The apprentice claim on Freedom (No1, R10) is going to be handy to take relief from his 59kg topweight. He had only to jump away with the field to win on this track last start but he was slow away and on a day when they found it near impossible to come from the back, he flashed home from a tailed off position to take second behind Aaja Nachle. Plenty of chances in this race with Clara Jane (No3), Biologist (No2) and Kentucky Son (No5) all rating highly.

It's entirely possible to end up with patches in your jeans betting in maiden hurdle races, but on the basis that John Wheeler knows what it's about when it comes to educating jumpers, Wai Not (No6, R1) might be an okay way to start the day. Endor (No10) and Magna Carta (No16) are a couple of debut jumpers who are worth looking at.

Real Treasure (No4, R2) should win. He found Zenocoin (No2) too strong last start but has a weight concession here. His prior form was excellent. Zenocoin looks the danger again.

The maiden 2-year-old, Race 6 could be a trap. Two debut runners worth attention are Green Jungle (No3), Silver Rod (No4) and Francome (No16) and of those who have previously appeared, Twya (No5) looked good getting home well at Ruakaka last start.

Tough call between Twilight Dragon (No3, R7) and Spin Doctor (No1). The way Te Rapa is racing today will be a big factor, Twilight Dragon will be well suited if pacemakers are getting home in the first six races. Just 1.3 lengths separated the pair last start here two weeks ago, but offsetting that is the 1.5kg relative weight swing Twilight Dragon's way here. Go here on how the track is racing.

Each way Prospero (No3, R8) could be the way to go in a very even field. His three races this preparation should have him very fit.

Cillian Will (No1, R11) has had a slight freshen, which should have him close to his best. He gets a decent apprentice allowance with Jack Wong in the saddle and on his home track is worth looking at. Sky Idea (No5), Jesshanimo (No3) and Maestro Tom (No4) are all strong hopes.

At Taranaki, Rafa (No2, R5) needs only to repeat his effort here a couple of weeks ago to go close. He was tailed off early and ran on to finish sixth. Last campaign he used to race handy and if he can do that here will take some heading. Rowena Smyth takes his weight back to 57.5kg.

I Am Sam (No1, R7) is the horse to beat in the Opunake Cup despite his 59kg topweight. Sunbeam (No15) - at $26 fixed odds yesterday - can chip at his heels with a 6kg weight differential.