Whanganui hosts a nine-race program on Saturday, with the track currently rated a Soft7 and the rail out 4m. A mostly clear forecast leading into raceday should allow the surface to continue improving, with conditions expected to return to something closer to a Soft5 by the opening race.
Selections for each of the nine races below:
Old Fashioned (#3) is a 2yo Proisir colt making his debut for Bill Thurlow and Sam O’Malley. He has had just the one trial leading into this assignment, which came only 10 days ago, where he showed good gate speed before leading and kicking away nicely under Kelly Myers. Myers retains the ride here on raceday and similar tactics can be expected. A bold debut performance wouldn’t surprise.
Released (#1) resumes here for Andrew Forsman after producing two very good runner-up efforts before failing at Matamata, where he pulled up with excuses. His recent trial was encouraging, finding the line strongly into 2nd, and suggests he has returned in good order. If he can reproduce either of those earlier runner-up performances, he should take plenty of beating in this field.
Tick Tock Tessa (#10) comes into this off a 5th placing at Hastings, where she never appeared comfortable on what proved to be a testing Heavy track. Back onto significantly better footing here should allow her to return to he better efforts prior. She maps to secure an ideal trailing run from the low draw and should be afforded every opportunity. Expecting a much-improved showing.
Capaci (#3) heads here off a solid placing at New Plymouth, where she launched a promising bid along the fence before having to settle for 3rd. She looks well suited dropping back into R65 company and this race appears a touch easier than what she encountered last start. Jack Taplin’s claim sees her carry just 55.5kg and she maps to enjoy a soft run with cover from the inside draw. Gets her chance to notch up a second career victory.
Roc All Night (#5) was finishing strongly into 2nd here last start behind Shameless Star, where he was held up and unable to obtain clear running until the race was effectively over. He receives a significant swing in barriers for this assignment and maps to settle closer to the speed in a genuinely run race. Kelly Myers takes over the riding duties and should ensure he receives every chance from the inside gate. Looks the one to beat.
Mr Mojo Risin’ (#2) did not have the race run to suit last start in Listed WFA company over a mile, where he was trapped wide and unable to work into the race from the outside draw. The drop back to 1360m looks much more suitable and he maps to settle on or near the speed this time around. Kelly Myers takes the ride from a favourable barrier and should have him positioned perfectly here. Expecting a much-improved performance.
Im Bartholomew (#5) resumed with a strong runner-up effort at New Plymouth, where he was finishing off powerfully from the rear of the field. He should strip fitter given he was 252 days between runs heading into that performance, and remaining at 1200m looks ideal second-up. A genuinely run race should play right into his hands, setting up for him to finish strongly over the top of them late. Appeals as a strong each-way chance at odds.
Nigella Lane (#2) arguably should have won last start in Listed WFA company over the mile here, where she was held up before charging home late into 3rd. She now steps out to 2060m, which looks unlikely to pose any concerns at this stage of her preparation. From the inside draw she maps to enjoy a perfect run following her stablemate throughout and should be given every opportunity. Looks the horse to beat with better luck in running late in the piece.
Atavus (#1) was excellent at Ellerslie last start over 2100m, where he produced some gallant late strides to finish 2nd. It was his first attempt beyond 1600m and he appeared to relish the rise in distance, producing a career-best figure in the process. He maps to settle back from the wide draw in what looks a genuinely run race and should be charging home late once again. On paper, this looks his race to lose.