Wingatui Tips & Preview | Sunday 31 May

Doubtable (#3) is a 2yo daughter of Doubtland making her debut for Terri Rae. Her two trial performances have been encouraging without being spectacular, but the key positive has been the early speed she has shown on each occasion. From a favourable draw in a short 820m dash, she should be able to hold a prominent position throughout and give a bold sight here. 

Exclude (#2) 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 should take natural improvement from that first outing and the rise to 1300m looks ideal second-up. In an open maiden field, he shapes as one of the leading chances. 

Taihoro (#1) produced a much-improved effort when finishing 4th at Riverton last start, charging home strongly through testing conditions. The addition of blinkers appeared to sharpen him up significantly and they remain on here. The wide draw may actually prove advantageous if conditions remain very heavy, allowing him to search for the better ground wide in the straight. With Tina Comignaghi taking the ride, he looks capable of going very close. 

Undisputed (#1) made a big impression at his South Island debut for Bruce Tapper when leading throughout and running his rivals ragged in the Heavy10 conditions. He should strip fitter with that run under his belt and looks ideally suited by another Heavy surface. The wide draw gives Billy Jacobson the opportunity scout forward in the better ground off the fence, where he should be able to pick the optimal lanes. With any natural improvement from his resuming effort, he looks hard to beat. 

Tycoon Prince (#6) was below his best at Ascot Park last start, where he never looked comfortable along the rail and failed to finish off as expected. The setup appears more suitable here, with a more genuine tempo likely. The concern is whether he becomes buried away on the fence from the low draw, but Leah Hemi will be mindful of that and look to angle into better ground when required. A return to his prior form when winning here would see him very competitive. 

Life Of Riley (#10) was enormous from the back at Riccarton last start, where she was slow away and made significant ground in a race that favoured runners near the rail and on speed. Remaining at 1400m on a testing surface looks ideal and she maps to settle back of midfield from the wide draw once again. If she enjoys even luck in running, she looks set to go very close and appeals as one of the better bets on the program. 

Flash Roca (#10) comes here off a dominant victory at Ascot Park, where she enjoyed a favourable run and put her rivals away comfortably when asked. She maps to settle just off the speed in what should be a genuinely run contest and gets in very well at the weights carrying only 53.5kg. That could prove a major advantage late in the day if conditions become particularly testing, and a repeat of her last-start performance would see her very hard to hold out. 

Sight To See (#2) ran a brave race for 3rd behind stablemate Flash Roca at Ascot Park last start, sustaining a long run from the back of the field. While she draws favourably, her usual racing pattern suggests she will settle back of midfield again. She is a genuine mudlark who relishes rain-affected conditions and few in this field will handle the track better than she does. If the race is run to suit, she should be right in the finish. 

Proudtobehere (#11) has continued to improve with each run since joining the Terry Kennedy stable, culminating in a tough win here at her most recent outing. She appeared to relish the rise to 1600m and looks well suited remaining at the trip again. From a favourable draw she should secure another economical run in transit and, if she continues her current upward trend, she will take plenty of beating. 

Vamos (#2) has been disappointing in three runs this preparation, most recently finishing well down the track in the Canterbury Gold Cup. He should be nearing peak fitness now fourth-up and the rise to 2200m on a testing surface looks much more suitable. Kendra Bakker’s claim reduces his weight to a manageable 55.5kg and they may look to utilise the claim by riding him positively from the outset. He is capable of much better than his recent form suggests, could run a very cheeky race at odds. 

O’Ceirins Belle (#8) caught the eye when finishing 3rd over 1600m here first-up, only really getting into her work late in the race. That effort suggested she would appreciate getting over further second-up, which she gets here. She handles Heavy tracks, draws to receive a comfortable run in transit and has Billy Jacobson aboard again. With natural improvement expected, she looks one of the leading contenders in the last.