Te Rapa hosts an eight-race program on Friday, with the track rated a Heavy10 and the rail out 9m. Although the forecast for Hamilton is clear, recent rainfall has already taken its toll and conditions are expected to remain very testing throughout the meeting.
Selections for each of the eight below:
Hephaestus (#2) didn’t fire last start at Pukekohe when unable to make an impact from the back in a strongly run race on firmer footing. George Rooke returns to the saddle here and he drops into what looks a more suitable R65 staying contest. The Heavy10 is an unknown for him, but if he handles the conditions, he is capable of bouncing back and running a much improved race.
| 2. Hephaestus (11) J: George Rooke 59kg 03120 T: Roger James & Robert Wellwood |
Awhina (#6) produced a solid effort on a testing Heavy track at Te Aroha last start, sticking on well for 3rd in stronger company. Another Heavy surface holds no concerns and she looks well placed dropping back in grade. From the low draw she should settle ahead of midfield with cover and get every opportunity to go close. Looks a leading contender.
| 6. Awhina (3) J: Joe Doyle 56.5kg 33403 T: Nicholas Bishara |
Timeless Beauty (#12) is a 2yo Wootton Bassett filly on debut for Te Akau who has had three trials to prepare for this. She draws to get a nice run from a good gate and Craig Grylls takes the ride, which is a big assist. She has shown enough at the trials to measure up in this field, with the main query being how she handles the Heavy conditions on debut.
| 12. Timeless Beauty (2) J: Samantha Collett 55.5kg T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson |
Rioja (#7) was dominant when breaking her maiden at Matamata last start, putting a space on her rivals late for a commanding win. She has the speed to be prominent again, although there looks to be an abundance of pressure engaged which may see her settle just off the pace. The Heavy track is a query, but she did handle it well enough in her debut placing to suggest she can cope. Promising filly who can go on with it.
| 7. Rioja (7) J: Warren Kennedy 55kg 3X21 T: Simon & Katrina Alexander |
Chattahoochee (#3) didn’t show much at Te Aroha last start but had been racing consistently prior to that. The blinkers go on here and he gains the services of Opie Bosson, which is a positive. He should be able to roll forward early and track the speed, and if he handles the conditions, he is capable of improving sharply.
| 3. Chattahoochee (4) J: Opie Bosson 57.5kg 0X567 T: Lisa Anderson |
Tristar (#16) comes off a solid effort at Trentham where she worked home well through the line, and now has four runs under her belt this campaign. That fitness edge looks key on what will be a very testing track here. She has handled Heavy conditions in the past and is drawn to be making her run in the better ground out wide late. Looks the one to beat in this.
| 16. Tristar (7) J: Jack Taplin 59kg X3235 T: Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott |
Accentuate (#16) wasn’t far away first-up at Avondale on a Heavy track despite having excuses – including racing wide without cover and having the saddle slip. She should take improvement from that run and stepping to 1300m second-up looks okay. With Craig Grylls aboard from a middle draw, she gets her chance to run a competitive race at a price.
| 16. Accentuate (6) Scratched: | |||
Lotus (#13) comes into this fourth-up having been thereabouts in all three runs this preparation without quite threatening. She looks well suited getting back onto Heavy footing at Te Rapa, which has been a happy hunting ground for her previously. Down in the weights with George Rooke aboard, she maps to get a favourable run and looks a leading chance in an open race to close the card.
| 13. Lotus (5) J: George Rooke 55kg 8X579 T: Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall |