Whanganui Tips & Preview | Sunday 10 May

So Call Me (#4) resumed with a very respectable effort on the flat at Otaki in Open Handicap company, where he was held up at a key stage before finishing strongly once clear into 3rd. He should take improvement from that run and now looks ideally placed returning to the hurdles second-up. He showed genuine promise during his first jumps preparation, including a dominant maiden hurdle victory by over 14L. Looks well placed to make a winning return over the jumps. 

Fourty Eight (#3) clearly had excuses last start when struggling a long way from home before being eased out of the race. The stable has made several gear changes ahead of this steeplechase assignment, which may help rectify the issues that surfaced there. His dominant flat win prior reads much better for this and he profiles as a horse who could make a strong impact over the bigger fences this season. If right, he should prove very hard to beat. 

Sacred Zed (#4) hit the line well first-up at Woodville over the mile after getting back and only balancing up late in the race. He should strip fitter for that effort and the rise to 2060m second-up looks much more suitable. Amateur rider races always come with a level of uncertainty, but Lisa Kennedy has ridden well this season, placing at each of her two rides. Expect him to get back and be charging home late. 

Porotene Tiger (#2) produced a huge effort for 2nd at Otaki behind Atavus after covering ground throughout without cover. That performance suggested stepping up to 2060m would suit him nicely and he looks capable of running another bold race here. The wide draw is the obvious concern again, but with even luck early he should be able to work across into a handy enough position closer to the fence. Looks over the odds relative to the early favourite Loose Enz. Happy to be in his corner at the price. 

Roc All Night (#1) resumes here after an excellent debut effort for 2nd behind Sierra Leone back in February. There was plenty of merit in that run and it rated well enough to suggest he’d only have to repeat that here to be winning. Kelly Myers taking the reins is a positive and the stable has made a few gear adjustments ahead of this assignment. In what looks a fairly moderate maiden, he shapes as the one they all have to beat if he picks up where he left off. 

Bokushi (#2) was a touch disappointing at Hawera last start after leading and weakening into 4th, which was below the standard of his first two career efforts. He should appreciate getting back on to softer footing here and from the wider draw Kelly Myers is likely to press forward again and take up the running. If he can reproduce the form he showed prior to last start, he should be right in the finish. 

The Dirty Dee (#3) resumes here for Robbie Patterson after finishing down the track in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes to end her last campaign. Her form prior to that was very encouraging and if she can run up to either of those efforts, she would take plenty of beating in this field. From the middle draw she should settle midfield with cover before looking to finish over the top late. Happy to speculate on the right version of her showing up at the price. 

Ruff Ryder (#4) produced a solid debut effort at Waverley when leading up and sticking on well for 4th. He should take good improvement from the experience and maps to roll forward again from the middle draw. There looks to be enough speed drawn wider that he may be able to take a sit this time, which would aid his chances of seeing out the 1600m strongly. Wouldn’t need to improve much off debut to be featuring in the finish.