Pukekohe hosts an eight-race program on Saturday. The track is rated a Good4 with the rail out 5m. A clear forecast over the next 48 hours should see the surface remain in excellent order.
Selections for each of the eight races below:
Smart Love (#3) is a progressive mare who has won both starts this campaign in good fashion. She remains in R75 company and a repeat of either effort would see her hard to beat again third-up. From the inside draw she maps to settle just off the speed and should be finishing over the top late.
| 3. Smart Love (1) J: Masa Hashizume 57.5kg 21X11T: Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott |
Miss Perna (#7) is a 2yo filly by Satono Aladdin on debut for Te Akau. Her trial efforts were handy enough to suggest she could run well on debut. Expect her to settle off the speed and look to finish off strongly late down the outer.
| 7. Miss Perna (4) J: Corentin Berge 55kg T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson |
Ariadne (#14) comes here second-up after a sound debut at Ellerslie when finishing 10th. She never really had the chance to balance up after being forced very wide on the corner and not having entirely clear running thereafter. She should be improved for the experience and has a much better draw to work with here. Can go close in this field.
| 14. Ariadne (2) J: Masa Hashizume 55.5kg 0T: Roger James & Robert Wellwood |
Si Exquis (#7) has been going well this preparation without enjoying all favours. Happy to forgive her last outing on a Heavy track and instead take a guide from her prior run at Ellerslie where she was only beaten 1.4L. Back onto a firmer surface, she looks worth speculating on at long odds.
| 7. Si Exquis (11) J: Erin Leighton 57kg X5490T: Simon & Katrina Alexander |
Pax Mundi (#8) was fair resuming at Rotorua on a Heavy surface and should be improved for the run. From a favourable draw she maps to settle in the first half of the field with cover. Back on top of the ground she looks a solid chance in a very even field.
| 8. Pax Mundi (5) J: Sam McNab 57.5kg 524X7T: Tony Pike |
Jaarffi (#2) was getting home nicely first-up at Rotorua before being held up late. She will appreciate getting onto a firmer surface and being able to build momentum down the long Pukekohe straight. The concern is that she may get back in a race without much tempo, but she still shapes as a key each way chance in an even race.
| 2. Jaarffi (8) J: Warren Kennedy 58kg 572X7T: Lance Noble |
Age Of Discovery (#1) hasn’t quite shown his best this time in but has had excuses along the way. He should be much better suited on a Good4 surface and now drops back into a more suitable R65 race. Drawn to settle in the first half and gets his chance to find form again.
| 1. Age Of Discovery (6) J: Matthew Cameron 60kg X3050T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson |
Zormella (#12) hasn’t had much go her way in two runs this campaign, including being held up for much of the straight last start. She appreciates firmer footing and has drawn favourably under Masa Hashizume. She should get every chance to bounce back to winning form in what is a very competitive race to close proceedings.
| 12. Zormella (5) J: Masa Hashizume 56kg 12X00T: Roger James & Robert Wellwood |