Trentham Tips & Preview | Saturday 6 June

Comedy (#5) makes his hurdling debut here and is sure to have been well educated given he comes out of the Wilson yard. His three flat runs this campaign have all had merit, including his latest efforts in Open Handicap company. The prospect of a Heavy track shouldn’t concern him in the slightest and he gets the services of a handy jumps jockey in Hamish McNeill aboard. A bold hurdling debut is expected. 

Kick On (#9) is a well-accomplished flat horse who makes his jumping debut for the Kevin Myers stable. He comes here off the back of four flat runs, which should ensure he is rock-hard fit for this assignment. While a very testing Heavy track may not be ideal for him these days, his flat ability should carry him a long way. He is sure to be well schooled out of this stable and should run a big race at his hurdling debut. 

Billy Boy (#2) makes his long-awaited return to the hurdles. He comes here with four flat runs under his belt, mirroring the preparation Jo Rathbone used when he won this race last year. He looks well placed at the weights carrying 65kg after the claim and his recent race fitness should ensure a testing Heavy track holds no fears. Expect him to roll forward and give these plenty to chase. 

Hidden Spark (#10) is a 2yo Bivouac filly making her debut for the Allan Sharrock stable. She arrives without a public trial, which is not unusual for this stable. I was happy to be against the early favourite Shamelia Kirk on a Heavy track, trusting that Sharrock would only line this filly up if he was confident she’d cope with the conditions. In a race of many unknowns, I was happy to speculate on her. 

Invisible Spirit (#2) comes here off a fair effort over the hurdles at Te Rapa last start, where he battled on into 6th. He should now be rock-hard fit following two recent hurdle runs and gets back over the larger fences, which looks ideal. The prospect of a testing track should not pose too many concerns and he looks capable of running an improved race here. 

La Chica Bella (#7) is a 3yo Telperion filly who comes here at just her second career start. She ran a very good race on debut at Hastings when finishing 2nd, only being nabbed late after hitting the front inside the final 100m. She should have taken plenty of improvement from that experience and looks to have found a very winnable maiden assignment. The Hastings surface that day was effectively closer to a Heavy10 on times for mine, which suggests a testing track here should not be an issue. She looks extremely hard to beat. 

Sinbin (#4) resumes her campaign with plenty of upside after a good first-up effort for 4th at Otaki, where she settled back in a slowly run race before producing all the fastest closing sectionals when finding the line well late. She was 210 days between runs that day and should strip much fitter here. The prospect of a Heavy track shouldn’t inconvenience her as much as some of her rivals and she gets in light with just 53kg on her back after the claim. Looks a strong winning chance. 

Sunny (#7) scored well in trying conditions at Hastings last start, where positive tactics proved the key to success for him that day. Expecting similar tactics to be implemented here given how it paid off for them last start. The prospect of another testing Heavy track poses no concerns following that effort, and he looks capable of measuring up again at attractive odds. 

Tobias (#9) resumed with a fair effort behind Belle Tribute at New Plymouth, where 1400m on a Soft5 track looked a touch sharp for him. He should be improved for the run and now gets out to 1500m on a Heavy track second-up, which appears much more suitable. A testing Heavy track won’t bother him and he can settle closer to the speed this time around. Expecting a much improved performance. 

Wheelitin (#6) was an eye-catcher first-up at New Plymouth behind Belle Tribute, flashing home late for 3rd after settling well back. She drops back in grade for this assignment and should have taken good improvement from the resuming effort. Expect her to settle towards the rear again from the wide draw, before being produced in what I expect will be the better lanes out wide. She looks a great each-way chance at long odds.