New Plymouth Tips & Preview | Saturday 18 July

Misissipi Gambler (#5) heads here off a last-start 2nd in R65 company at Rotorua, where she was jumping out of the ground late over 1400m that day. She looks very well placed in this MAAT race, where she’ll carry just 54.5kg after Sam McNab’s claim. Expect her to settle back in the field from her wider draw and again be looking to finish off hard late. Looks the one they have to beat.

Bokushi (#1) is a 3yo son of Swiss Ace coming here off a short freshen for local trainer Robbie Patterson. He was last sighted finishing a close-up 2nd here over 1400m, where he led and fought on well in the straight. He’s had a trial to keep him ticking over since, where he looked to get through the Heavy conditions nicely when winning the trial. Craig Grylls takes the reins from the wide draw, and I’m expecting him to roll forward and take up a prominent position again here. The one to beat.

Beauesk (#2) was last seen savaging the line at Waverley from the back last start, coming up just short and having to settle for 2nd. He gets a positive swing in barriers for this, where he should be able to position a pair or two closer to the speed in this smaller field. He’ll be as suited as any by the prospect of a Heavy track, can go one better here. 

Performer (#5) is a locally trained 3yo son of Circus Maximus who ran a very respectable race on debut for 2nd at Rotorua, where he led throughout only to be run down late. He should have taken plenty of improvement from the experience and looks suited getting back to his home track here. The blinkers going on is a big positive and should sharpen him up significantly for this. Expect to see him up on speed throughout again under Grylls, he looks set to give a big sight.

Belles Fate (#9) comes into this third-up off two somewhat forgivable efforts this campaign. She should strip fitter heading here and looks suited getting back to a Heavy track on her home deck. She slides back in grade for this and gains the services of Craig Grylls for this assignment. The wide draw may prove advantageous come this stage of the day, where Grylls should have her mounting her run in the best part of the track. Capable of running a much improved race at odds. 

Afterglo (#10) came from a long way back to win impressively at Te Rapa last start, balancing up late and attacking the line over the final 50m. She goes up in grade but retains George Rooke in the saddle down in the weights. She’ll appreciate the Heavy conditions as much as any here and should be in the best part of the track from her wider draw. Hard to beat again. 

Platinum Diamond (#14) didn’t fire last start at Tauranga, where she didn’t look to be travelling a long way out and didn’t appear to be overly comfortable in what was her first attempt going right-handed. Back left-handed here and remaining on a Heavy track should give her every chance to bounce back, while the stable have also tinkered with her gear ahead of this. Expect her to get well back in the field from her wide draw, where Joe Doyle will be looking to get her to the outside and finishing off hard late. Can take this out with her best. 

Astoria Brooke (#5) bounced back to form with an easy win at Te Rapa last start, where she was afforded a soft run in transit and put her rivals away late. Craig Grylls takes over the riding duties from a favourable draw, where he’ll likely allow her to find her feet midfield with cover, giving her every chance to run out the 1800m. She has a great record on Heavy tracks and this field looks no tougher than what she accounted for last start. Can go on with her winning ways.