Wingatui Tips & Preview | Friday 22 May

American Cheval (#4) produced a career peak performance last start when leading throughout for a dominant win over 1400m. The drop back to 1200m is a slight query, however she again maps to settle on speed throughout, whether that be leading herself or trailing Bakers Dozen in the run. She gets another rain-affected surface on her home track and if she can reproduce the level of her last start effort, she should be fighting out the finish again. 

Turn The Tide (#6) bounced back to form with a strong effort for 2nd at Riverton last start, where she looked much more comfortable in the testing conditions. While the footing here may be slightly better than what she struck there, a Soft7 or Heavy8 still looks ideal for her. She maps to settle just off the speed from a handy draw and should get every opportunity from there. Another honest effort looks likely. 

Proclamation (#5) resumes here, last sighted finishing down the track at Cromwell over six months ago. She won a jumpout here recently, suggesting she may have returned in good order (no public footage available). She maps to get back in a genuinely run race from her wide draw, where she’ll likely be saved for one run at them late. Happy to speculate on her at long odds. 

Imperative (#3) was disappointing at Riccarton last start over 2600m, where she got too far back in a slowly run race and never made an impression. She looks much better suited back in trip and returning to her home track here. She is not the quickest beginner, so expect her to settle back of midfield early in search of cover before looking to work into the race late. If she can bounce back to the level of her previous runs, she should be thereabouts. 

Exclude (#3) is a locally trained 3yo by Ancient Spirit who produced a solid debut effort when finishing 3rd here over 1200m after only getting warm late. He gets a much kinder draw this time around, which should allow Courtney Barnes to secure a softer run in transit. He should take natural improvement from the debut effort and the rise to 1400m looks ideal second-up. In an open maiden field, he shapes as a key contender. 

Life Of Riley (#6) was enormous from the back at Riccarton last start, where she was slow away and made significant ground in a race dominated by those near the rail and on speed. Remaining at 1400m on a rain-affected surface looks perfect for her and she maps to settle back of midfield from the wide draw again here. With even luck, she looks set to go very close and clearly appeals as the best bet on the program for mine. 

Aspen Voltage (#9) is worth forgiving for her last start flop, where she simply never handled the Heavy10 conditions. Her effort two starts back for 2nd was much more encouraging, where she fought on bravely after working on speed throughout. She looks better suited getting back on slightly firmer footing here and the 2kg apprentice claim is another positive. An improved showing is expected and she appeals as a solid each way chance at odds. 

Proudtobehere (#7) has continued to improve with each run since joining the Terry Kennedy stable, culminating in a tough win here last start. She appeared to relish the rise to 1600m and looks well suited remaining at the trip again. From the low draw she should secure a similar run in transit and if she continues on her current upward trend, she will take plenty of beating again. 

Bella Luce (#3) was well beaten in the Great Easter Stakes at Riccarton last start after being trapped wide throughout and faded late. She should take improvement from that run now third-up and the rise to 1600m looks suitable. She gains a much kinder draw this time around, which should hopefully allow her to settle closer with cover. Expecting a much improved performance here.