Matt Markham gives his best in all races at Rangiora on Friday 6 February.
Not a huge level of conviction here in a wide open trot but thought The Will (12) might be the surprise packet. Manners have been an issue lately but with them here would be more than good enough to get the job done at a decent quote.
Selections: 12-11-10-3-6
| 12. The Will (1) J: Mia Holbrough 07700 T: Bruce Negus |
Big effort to run second to a pretty smart one at Addington last week by My Wingman (9). Talented horse who is going to pick one up shortly and this looks a prime opportunity, even from the wide draw. Should be too good for them.
Selections: 9-7-4-1-3
| 9. My Wingman (9) J: Blair Orange 17002 T: Brent Borcoskie |
In terms of speed, nothing will go with Lavra Rose (7) here. She’s too fast for them. It all just depends on what kind of run she gets throughout. With a cold shot, you’d expect her to be able to come from anywhere and run past this field. Just needs that luck.
Selections: 7-6-11-8-4
| 7. Lavra Rose (2) J: Sheree Tomlinson 39422 T: Derek & Adele Jones |
Navigated a big field and a big handicap to win at Ashburton and Vertigo (9) gets back on the grass here which is often her favoured surface. Probably no harder in this either, especially with the way she can begin and a nice run and cold shot at them and she’ll be charging.
Selections: 9-7-6-5-4
| 9. Vertigo (2) J: Lawrence McCormick 44221 T: Lawrence McCormick |
Everyone caught the final few hundred metres of Ma Belle Amie (1) at Cromwell early in January. Had no right to finish as close as she did and it would appear only a little luck from the inside draw today is required for a win to get on the board.
Selections: 1-3-4-1-9
| 1. Ma Belle Amie Franco (1) J: Craig Thornley 02 T: Steven McRae |
A wild throw at the stumps here, but, if Bonnie Bagrie (12) can do everything right today then she’s a big chance of having a little too much talent for this field. No clean runs for a while but was better last time and looking for that to continue here.
Selections: 12-7-2-3-4
| 12. Bonnie Bagrie (0) J: John Dunn 47600 T: Matt Purvis |
Starting to make a bit of a habit of coming off big handicaps and winning is Smoke On The Water (7). A small field here really helps the chances and shouldn’t be too far off them from which he can launch his attack. Big chance.
Selections: 7-6-1-4-3
| 7. Smoke On The Water (1) J: Robbie Close 04111 T: Matt Purvis |
Certainly isn’t winning them out of turn but boy Kushite Warrior (1) looks well placed here. Some really strong recent runs and with the aid of the inside draw should be in the right spot from which to launch on them and win.
Selections: 1-7-8-11-10
| 1. Kushite Warrior (1) J: Gavin Smith 5644d T: Malcolm Shinn |
What a lovely set up for Ready Set Jet (9) here. Has raced against and competed with far better fields than this in the past few months and with a good draw should roll forward and be prominent throughout and hard to beat.
Selections: 9-7-6-3-2
| 9. Ready Set Jet (1) J: Bob Butt 24249 T: Bob Butt |
Only the first run out of maidens, but there was a bit of arrogance about that win from Shanky’s Shot (2). Looks a progressive horse who from the right draw here should be able to be very hard to beat once again.
Selections: 2-7-11-5-10
| 2. Shanky’s Shot (2) J: Bob Butt 27281 T: Tim Trathen |