Te Rapa hosts an eight-race program this Saturday, with the track rated a Soft5 and the rail out 3m. A clear forecast for the Waikato this weekend should see the surface remain in the Soft5 range early, with the potential to improve to a Good4 as the day progresses.
Selections for each of the eight below:
Bradley (#1) has found R75 company a touch too rich at his past three starts since winning well at Trentham four runs back. Back to R65 grade here, this looks a much more suitable assignment in what isn’t an overly strong race. While he typically settles back, the smaller field and low draw should ensure he isn’t conceding too much of a start. He should get every chance to run an improved race back in this company.
| 1. Bradley (2) 60kg21877 |
Topsy Turvy (#10) is a 3yo filly by Super Seth resuming here off a long lay-off, last seen finishing down the track in a maiden behind Well Written back in September. She has had the benefit of a recent trial to bring her on for this, and the booking of Craig Grylls from an inside draw is a key positive. She should be able to take up a forward position and looks capable of running a competitive race fresh.
| 10. Topsy Turvy (1) 56.5kg0X |
General Menari (#1) has been consistently around the mark this campaign and was good in defeat last start at Otaki behind Avantaggia. From the inside gate he maps to settle much closer here, and should get conditions to suit underfoot come race three on Saturday. With natural improvement on the shorter turnaround, he looks a solid chance to get win number two on the board.
| 1. General Menari (2) 60kgX5332 |
Force Of Nature (#2) produced only a pass mark first-up at Otaki, where he settled well back in a genuinely run race before working home fairly. He should have taken good improvement from that outing and looks much better suited here. In a small field lacking obvious tempo outside of Vegas Queen, he maps to settle much closer in the run. With George Rooke taking the ride, he looks set to produce a sharper showing second-up.
| 2. Force Of Nature (5) 57kgX10X4 |
Belle Rebelle (#5) was very good when finishing 2nd in the Star Way Stakes at Ellerslie last start, where she was held up at a crucial stage before finding the line strongly once clear. She has the natural early speed to hold a position from the low draw and should land a pair back off the speed. Her raceday efforts suggest 1400m will be no issue and she looks the one to beat here with even luck.
| 5. Belle Rebelle (3) 55kg12 |
Financier (#7) has been a touch hit and miss since returning from a long lay-off. His last start effort here over 1400m was only fair, where he worked early, found a position, and looked a touch flat thereafter when finishing 5th. The step up to a mile may suit him better, and he now draws to get a more economical run under George Rooke. It’s a tricky race, but he should take beating if he brings his best.
| 7. Financier (6) 57.5kgX2745 |
Celtic Tycoon (#2) ran well to finish 5th in the Gr.3 Championship Stakes over 2100m last start, grinding home from the back despite laying in for much of the straight. From the wide draw he maps to settle back again, where he will likely be ridden patiently and saved for one run at them late. The drop back into R65 company suits, and if he handles the drop in distance, he should be thereabouts. Looks a solid each way contender.
| 2. Celtic Tycoon (12) 59.5kg5135 |
Hankee Alpha (#4) was excellent at Ellerslie last start when finishing off strongly from a long way back, just missing in 3rd. The setup looks very similar here, where she maps to get back again from a wide draw in what should be a strongly run race. The key will be whether she can find a back to follow into the race before the turn, as she possesses a sharp finishing burst when saved for one run. Given her pattern, she looks a very good 1×3 each way play to close the card.
| 4. Hankee Alpha (13) 58kg32623 |