Hāwera Tips & Preview | Saturday 11 July

Brutiful Lass (#3) is a dual acceptor here and at Otaki on Friday, and I’m keen to be in her corner if Lisa Latta opts to line her up here. She produced arguably her worst run in her 11-start career last start where she looked to be struggling a fair way out at Woodville on a testing Heavy track – but she is capable of much better and looks to find a suitable maiden assignment here. She shouldn’t be settling too far away from the speed from the low draw, where she should be afforded an ideal run with cover throughout. Can run a much improved race here. 

Ima Brazen One (#1) left his rivals in his wake last start at Trentham on a testing Heavy10 track, where he led and booted away for a comfortable win. He maps to hold the front here again from the inside gate, where Toni Davies should be able to dictate terms throughout. Should that eventuate, he would only need to run up to either one of his past two wins to be taking this out. Hard to argue against him making it three on the bounce. 

Belles Boom (#1) ran a good race for 3rd over 1360m at Wanganui last start, where he was strong through the line after sitting three and four wide throughout. He should be better again for that effort heading here third-up and looks well suited getting Craig Grylls aboard from a low draw. He looks the default leader in a race lacking any tempo, which should allow Grylls to dictate and give him every chance to run out the 1600m strongly. Should take plenty of stopping. 

Cheval De Foudre (#2) has been a model of consistency in four runs back this campaign, placing in all four starts and coming off a very narrow defeat last start when finishing off hard late into 2nd. He drops back to 1600m here, which doesn’t look to be a negative, as Chris Dell can have him up on speed from the low draw and controlling the tempo to suit himself from the front or outside leader. Looks clearly the horse to beat on paper and can go one better here. 

Indian Gold (#6) just battled home from the back first-up at Woodville into 9th but looked as though he’d take plenty of improvement from the outing. He was 210 days between runs heading into that resuming run and should strip much fitter here. He looks suited getting on to what should be better footing and remaining at 1400m at this stage of his prep should suit fine. Well placed down in the weights carrying just 52kg after the claim of in-form apprentice Tom Wigram. An improved showing wouldn’t surprise. 

East End Lad (#8) ran a fair race for 6th at Waverley last week, where he settled back and wide in a solidly run race and stayed on well to the line. He comes here on the short turnaround with the blinkers now going on, which may sharpen him up further. Senior rider Kelly Myers now aboard helps and she may be able to position him a touch closer in the run from his middle draw in a race lacking obvious tempo. Not an overly strong R65 and he can run a competitive race. 

Turn It Up (#8) is a 4yo mare resuming here for Roydon Bergerson, last sighted finishing a long last at Wanganui back in November where she wanted to do plenty wrong and weakened out of it. She has the benefit of a recent trial under her belt, where she bowled along at a solid clip in front and put a good gap on her rivals in the process. That searching hit-out should have her forward and ready for this first-up run, and the booking of Craig Grylls only enhances her chances. Expect him to have her settling near the speed from her low draw, can run a bold race in a fresh state. 

Piper’s Son (#4) impressed me with his resuming run at Wanganui behind Atavus, where he settled just off the speed from his wide draw and fought on gamely for 3rd. He was 133 days between runs heading into that race and should strip much fitter for that outing heading here. He should again position handy to the speed, where he maps to be tagging the likely leader Opera Belle throughout. Should be thereabouts again with natural improvement.