Wingatui plays host to a blockbuster 10-race card for Property Brokers Otago Classics Day on Saturday, highlighted by the running of the ODT Mile, Dunedin Gold Cup, Dunedin Guineas and the White Robe Lodge WFA. The track is rated a Soft5 with the rail in the true position. Mostly clear weather across the Otago region leading into Saturday should ensure the surface presents no worse than a Soft5 come raceday.
Selections for each of the 10 races below:
Purple Prose (#1) was last seen running a very good race for 4th at Riccarton over 1600m behind the likes of Professional Lad and Life Of Riley, form that reads very well for this. The wide draw is not a major concern, given she now has the services of Opie Bosson to help offset the draw, as well as a long run into the first bend. He shapes clearly as the horse to beat and should take plenty of stopping with even luck in running.
Outback Girl (#3) is a 2yo Bivouac filly resuming for Samantha Wynne after a solid debut 3rd to a handy enough 2yo in Out Of The Blue in October. She showed good early speed and fought on well that day. She now returns to the races with just 53kg on her back after Floor Moerman’s claim and gets a decent draw to work with. The lack of a public trial/jumpout is the only query, but trusting the stable has her forward enough to run well first-up.
Dupont (#6) makes his South Island debut for Terry Kennedy after mixed form in the North Island this campaign. He looks to find a very winnable R65 first-up in the south and from the low draw with Opie Bosson he should get every chance. I’ve got him mapped to settle ahead of midfield with cover off what appears genuine early tempo, and in this company, he is capable of producing a much-improved effort.
Oaksdeel (#6) ran a solid 3rd at Riccarton last start despite making her run on the inferior going nearer the fence. She is likely to settle back from the wide draw in this but the long run to the first bend from the mile start here should give Joe Doyle plenty of time to find a position. With a genuine tempo likely, she should be a good chance of finishing over the top of these late in the piece.
Eye Spy (#9) resumed with a pleasing effort for 4th behind The Princie One here first-up, where she was slowly away before working home nicely from the back. She should take good improvement from that outing and now gets a favourable swing in draws, allowing Kylie Williams to settle her closer to the speed. With a better map on paper this time, she should get her chance to go close here. She looks a great price to play on an each way basis.
Trobriand (#9) is best forgiven for his below-par run on a Heavy track in the Timaru Stakes last month and is capable of much better. Really like the setup he gets here – improved conditions underfoot, Bruno Queiroz jumping aboard, and he maps to settle off a genuine tempo. Expecting he should be blending into the race late and is the horse to beat if he can run up to something closer to his best.
Alottago (#1) produced a solid first-up effort at Ashburton behind some handy 3yo’s, where he got back and stayed on nicely to the line. That effort suggested he would be much better second-up and the rise to a mile on better footing looks ideal. Joe Doyle now takes over the riding duties and the blinkers go on, which look key positives. From the wide draw he can settle back with cover off speed and will be charging late.
Smooth Operator (#8) returned to form in emphatic fashion when dominating the Invercargill Gold Cup last start, suggesting he is back on track this preparation. He remains well placed on the minimum here with Tina Comignaghi staying in the saddle. He maps to get a good cart forward into the race from his wide draw, where he should be able to take up a handy spot without overdoing it. If he runs up to the last start win he should go very close in this.
Sir Albert (#1) was far from disgraced in the Gr.2 Thornden Mile last start, where he rallied strongly late after looking like his wheels were spinning in the conditions. He is much better suited back on firmer going here and finds himself in a much softer race on paper. From the handy draw, Samantha Collett can position him 2-3 pairs back from the speed off a strong tempo, which is exactly the setup he desires. Should take plenty of beating should that eventuate.
No Party (#3) has been one of the more progressive gallopers in the South Island this season, going through his grades nicely for the Andertons. He comes here off a fair effort for 4th at Ascot Park last start, where he was coming off a gap between runs and likely had this race in mind. He should be peaking now and Corey Campbell jumps back aboard from a low draw, which should see him secure a soft run ahead of midfield. Expecting he’ll be improved for the last start effort and now looks ready to run a big race.