Te Aroha Tips & Preview | Thursday 4 June

Jamestown (#5) is a lightly tried 4yo son of Turn Me Loose resuming for Diane Kennedy after finishing well down the track on debut back in October. His recent trial efforts have been sound and should have him forward enough for this first-up assignment. A genuinely testing Heavy track may pose a query without race fitness under his belt, although being the opening race of the day the surface may still be in reasonable order. At long odds, he looks capable of running a cheeky race in what shapes as a very even maiden field.

Tartan Shocka (#4) is a locally trained and lightly raced 5yo who heads here third-up after a pair of respectable efforts to begin his preparation. He should be nearing peak fitness now and the prospect of a Heavy track looks unlikely to trouble him based on what he showed on a Heavy track here on debut. Expect him to settle back from the wide draw before looking to make his run out wide in what will likely be the better lanes. He appeals as a solid each-way chance at the price. 

War Queen (#9) had very little luck at Arawa Park last start, where she appeared to have every opportunity before being badly held up early in the straight and only getting clear late to narrowly miss. She is one of those on the card who looks to have been a big beneficiary of the meeting being postponed and now being run on a Heavy track. The middle draw should see her getting every chance under Grylls, looks her race to lose. 

Luminance (#6) resumes her campaign second-up after a plain effort at Otaki, although she didn’t have all favours after being caught wide and working throughout. She should strip much fitter for that outing and the prospect of a Heavy track looks ideal. Craig Grylls taking over the riding duties is a significant positive, while the drop back into R60 company also strengthens her claims. A much-improved showing would come as no surprise. 

Honey Badger (#8) has returned in excellent order this campaign, producing two strong performances including a very handy 3rd in Gr.3 WFA F&M company at Rotorua last start. She looks well placed dropping back into open handicap grade and is well placed on the minimum with Michael McNab aboard. Heading here third-up, another Heavy track should be right up her alley and the drop back to 1150m is no concern. She looks capable of giving another very strong account of herself here. 

Dancin In The Dark (#3) hasn’t done much this time in to be enthused about, having been beaten a combined 22.1L across his two runs this preparation. However, he looks much better suited rising in distance third-up and should be approaching peak fitness now. A deteriorating Heavy track later in the day could play into his hands as much as any in this, whilst getting Michael McNab back aboard is another positive. He appeals as an each-way chance to close out the card.