It is difficult to label a horse who finished eighth of 10 at its previous start a good thing, but Zabeels Angel might come close at Rotorua today.
The improving mare was beaten out of sight at Sandown in Melbourne last start, but the run, on a good track, underlined the belief of trainer Jenny Vance that she is essentially a wet tracker.
The form of Zabeels Angel (No 10) leading up to Sandown had been fabulous. She won by a wide margin at Ellerslie and was then beaten into second at Flemington when nothing went right for her. She looks capable of beating the opposition in Race 9 today on a track which should suit ideally. There are plenty of winning chances against her with Regelle (No 6) and Soroya (No 9) making strong appeal for the trifecta.
Hero (No 4, R8) may not get his favoured own rules in front, but he's worth the risk of a win bet. He is all class, if slightly erratic. Owner and trainer Jim Campin is sure Hero has had sufficient work to put him close to winning. Durzetta (No 10), Buster Brookfield (No 1) and Arduous (No 7) could complete the trifecta.
The other feature, the $40,000 Centra Rotorua Challenge Plate, is a great betting race, but there is no clearcut strong fancy. Jolly Rodger (No 3, R6) is a problem horse when he gets away from the inside running rail and just what he might do from an extreme outside barrier is anyone's guess. Opie Bosson has been entrusted with a difficult job and if he can find Jolly Rodger some luck he can win. No Alimony (No 11) and Rijeka (No 5) are strong chances. Look to Rijeka to be fitter for her outing in the Matamata Cup, where she failed to kick on in the closng stages. That was only her second start back this campaign. No Alimony was impressive at Hastings last start.
Hot Streak (No 2, R7) is underrated. Take no notice of his failure at Ellerslie last start when nothing went right for him in a very competitive PQ race. He steps up to 1900m this time and if he can manage that, the small field will assist him. Myotash (No 5) is smart and so is South Park (No 7).
The key to the open sprint will be whether the racing pattern is favouring leaders. If so, Tio Lavender (No 1, R4) can sneak a win at her favourite 1400m distance. The 58kg topweight would be impossible for her, but the 4.5kg allowance claimed by Melanie Ritchie puts her on a much more realistic level. The dangers will be Ruakiwi Lad (No 5) and fresh runner Seeking (No 7). Seeking might be eight years old, but he retains plenty of ability and has won three times when fresh from a spell.
Hakkinen (No 2, R3) was never a chance to win after drawing the outside of 17 runners at Ellerslie last start, and he is in the right place to make amends here. Mr Barrymore (No 1) and Super Lady (No 4) are chances.
Lochmara (No 1, R2) has done everything but win a maiden race and looks well placed to remedy that today. Seize The Moment (No 2) could be the danger.
Magic Prince needs to win the Herbert Power at Caulfield today to get into next week's Caulfield Cup field and don't rule that out as unrealistic. His effort for third to The Message in the Kelt Capital Stakes was excellent given he is not a weight-for-age horse and under 54.5kg today can give this a shake. It is never easy to win on an Australian campaign, but the overall strength of stayers in Melbourne right now is not fantastic.
Falvalon is a terrific sprinter and just the type to go a big race fresh from a spell in the $A200,000 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield. He has drawn perfectly at No 4.
What a great race Tie The Knot, Testa Rossa and Shogun Lodge will provide in the $A400,000 Yalumba Stakes.
Testa Rossa has to step right up in class from his last two winning runs, but we know he's got plenty of that.
Racing: Zabeels Angel set to atone for failure at Sandown
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.