Racing: Wood-en it be good to get edge

Wooden Edge (No4, R1) is a capable winter galloper and will make his presence felt. Photo / Supplied

Chris Wood could start the day off well at Te Rapa.

The Cambridge conditioner has one of the day's best in Roc de Bank in Race 3 and Wooden Edge to start the day off in the opener.

Roc de Bank scored well on this track first time produced this preparation then showed he was definitely underrated by being narrowly beaten into third behind multiple open class winner Underthemoonlight, again on this track.

This field is no gimme, but Roc de Bank will give it a great shot.

Wooden Edge (No4, R1) is a capable winter galloper and will make his presence felt.

Totally forget his resuming run here last start, he was in trouble in running and came back afterwards with damage to his back legs. Justacanta (No7) is a danger.

Take the short odds about Cyber Attack (No2, R2). He should be too strong for most of these, the majority of which have not had his experience. There was plenty to admire about his closing second to highly talented Peaceful on this track last start and he looks the winner, even though dropping back from 1400m to 1200m.

Ivy's Court (No7, R4) made ground into fourth at Waipa last start as if she was looking for more distance than the essentially metric mile, but she returns this time over the same trip.

What will help is a smaller field today and she probably will not be required to cover as much ground coming around the home turn. Not a great field and she has definite each-way claims. Hot Saki (No4), out of the same Waipa race, is another who will be suited by the small field.

Plenty of winning chances in Race 5 and it's a tough betting proposition. Take a few multiples and ensure Shockwave (No4) and She Dares (No13) are locked in.

Race 6 is even tougher.

There should be little between the two topweights in Race 7, Jochen Rindt (No1) and Rodrico (No2). With the forecast for today appearing dry, the Te Rapa track may be a touch better than Jochen Rindt prefers, which might just give Rodrico the edge.

After having to negotiate a number of difficult races, the last does not offer up a huge amount of relief. Perhaps an each-way stab at something at value odds might be the best way.

Replica (No16) and Bojangles (No2) fit that. Bojangles has a horror barrier draw, but Chris Johnson is well capable of weaving a bit of magic to offset that.

At Manawatu, Rosewood (No6, R7) looks one of the best prospects. She handles the worst of winter tracks with great ability and it will be extremely testing today.

Foxy Housewife (No2, R7) looks one of the better bets at Doomben this afternoon. She was caught wide last time out, but fought really well for fourth. Jim Byrne has the ride and look for him to make the most of a better draw this time.