Tauranga Tips & Preview | Saturday 27 June

Girlzgirlzgirlz (#4) comes into this at just her second career start after a fair debut at this course/distance, where she looked a touch flat before working home nicely late into 4th. She should improve with that run under her belt, and staying at 1200m on a Heavy track looks ideal – she also trialled impressively on testing Heavy tracks prior to her debut. Tom Wigram’s 4kg claim looks a big assist, an improved showing would not surprise. 

Quondo (#5) brings the best last-start rating into this race through his impressive first-up win at Matamata, where he surged away smartly late and looked to still have a bit left in the locker. He should strip fitter for the run and looks well suited remaining at 1200m on a testing track. He maps to settle midfield with cover from his handy draw, where George Rooke should give him every chance to mount his run in the best part of the track. Looks hard to beat if he runs up to that resuming win. 

Ocean Road (#4) resumes here off a long lay-off, last sighted finishing a distant 10th at Te Aroha back in August. He has the benefit of two recent trials under his belt earlier this month, both quiet yet eye-catching efforts on Heavy tracks. A testing Heavy track first-up off a long gap between runs is a query, but he has performed well on Heavy tracks fresh in the past. Drawn to be in the best part of the track, he could run a cheeky race at long odds. 

Mo Charaid (#4) comes into this with four runs under his belt this campaign without recapturing his better form from last season as of yet. Given both of his career wins came on Heavy tracks last campaign, he looks much better suited getting on to a testing surface here. Sam McNab’s claim helps, and the wide draw could well prove an advantage come this point of the day. Capable of running a much improved race in what looks an even contest on paper. 

Dance For Her (#5) heads here off a good win last start at Otaki, where she made up good ground from a midfield position to grab them in the shadows of the post. Six weeks between runs is a slight query given the likely testing conditions underfoot, but she has shown she can handle a testing Heavy track with her gutsy effort for 2nd when first-up on NZ soil at New Plymouth. Expect her to be allowed to settle back of midfield from the middle draw before scouting wide into the better lanes late. Leading chance. 

Platinum Diamond (#14) ran a good race to finish a close-up 7th in Listed company last start at Whanganui, getting home well despite not being suited by the improved track conditions that day. She looks perfectly suited getting back on to a Heavy track here, as she simply grows a leg when conditions get into the Heavy range. She has been jumping slowly of late and will likely land near the rear from her middle draw again, but she is more than capable of finishing over the top of these late.