New Plymouth Tips & Preview | Friday 12 June

The Republican (#3) heads here having his first start for the Kevin Myers stable. He was last seen finishing 6th in a maiden highweight at Hawera, where he settled outside the leader but failed to finish the race off in the straight. Back onto Heavy footing looks ideal and he arrives rock hard fit now four runs into his preparation. In an even contest, he appeals as a solid each-way chance.

Reconvene (#2) resumes second-up after an unlucky and forgivable effort at Wanganui, where he was building momentum from the back before copping a terminal check at the 200m. He should derive plenty of benefit from that outing and now draws to enjoy clear running from the outside gate. His runner-up effort as a 2yo when splitting Spandeedo and Platinum Pantheon on a Heavy track at Hawera is clearly the best PB figure in this field. Conditions suit and a much-improved showing at odds wouldn’t surprise.

Hopingfora Beauty (#9) produced a sound first-up effort at Hawera when finishing 5th after doing plenty of work early in the race. She was entitled to tire late after that effort and should strip fitter for the run. Remaining at a mile second-up looks ideal and she maps to roll forward from the wide draw. The draw should also allow Sam McNab to stay away from the inside and steer toward the best lanes. This looks a very winnable maiden assignment.

Dink (#6) comes into this off back-to-back runner-up performances, having enjoyed good runs in transit on both occasions but finding one better. She appears well suited by the Heavy conditions and the form around her 3rd placing at Te Aroha three starts ago reads strongly for a race of this nature. The wide draw may prove advantageous in these conditions and Sam McNab’s claim sees her carry just 54.5kg. She looks the one to beat on paper. 

Emac (#5) was disappointing on debut at Rotorua after receiving a favourable enough run behind the speed before failing to let down in the straight. He should have taken plenty of improvement out of the experience and this appears a more suitable maiden assignment. QLD apprentice Leah Martyn takes the ride and arrives in excellent form after riding doubles at her past two meetings. If he can reproduce the ability shown at the trials prior, he can run a much-improved race. 

Niagara Sky (#4) resumes here after being last seen finishing well back at Te Aroha in August. She has had the benefit of a recent trial win where she was asked to extend and responded well. A Heavy track first-up presents a slight query, although she did perform creditably at this meeting last year when finishing 3rd on a similar surface. With the claim seeing her carry just 55.5kg, she could run a very cheeky race at a decent price. 

Trainwreck (#5) resumes after being last sighted at Trentham in September. He returns without a public trial, which is standard for him. While a testing Heavy track first-up would normally raise concerns, he has won first-up in each of his last two campaigns and both victories came on Heavy10 surfaces. Triston Moodley takes the ride and the wide draw should allow him to steer for the better ground. Happy to speculate on him at long odds. 

Florin (#4) comes into this effectively second-up on the quick turnaround from Te Aroha, where she finished off nicely into 4th behind Grande Gallo over 1150m. She rises sharply to 1800m, which poses a slight query, although Michael Wallace has successfully used a similar approach with her previously. She maps to settle back in the field off what looks an even tempo before being produced for one run late. The testing conditions late in the day should play right into her hands and she looks the best bet on the program for mine.