Oamaru Tips & Preview | Sunday 19 July

Miss Enzed (#8) was last seen finishing 5th here at this course and distance, where she cut the corner from the back of the field and stayed on well to the line. She looks well placed right down in the weights, carrying just 54kg after Jack Taplin’s claim. She maps to settle a touch closer from the middle draw in a race that doesn’t look to have an abundance of pressure, and should be as suited as any by the Heavy track. Can run a very competitive race here. 

Tavi Ann (#3) was luckless last start at Ashburton, where she was held up at a crucial stage before picking up nicely late to run 4th. She gets a positive swing in the barriers for this and while she is generally slow away as a rule, she could well end up settling a couple of pairs closer up the fence. She’ll enjoy the Heavy conditions as much as any and should be trucking through the line strongly with clear air this time. Looks the horse to beat. 

Call To Arms (#1) resumes here, having shown good ability last campaign and seemingly ironed out a few quirks with more experience. A testing Heavy10 track first-up is a slight concern, but he should be doing his racing in the better lanes off the fence from his wide draw. Expect him to land a long way back off a genuine speed and be finishing off hard down the outside if he copes with the track. 

Super (#10) is a 2yo Super Seth filly coming here at start number two for David Walsh. Her debut effort over 1000m at Riccarton had merit, where she was slowly away from the outside draw but was doing her best work late over the final 200m. She steps up in trip here and the possibility of a testing track may play into her hands. Drawn to be in the best part of the track and gets in light after Hayley Hassman’s claim. Could be fighting out the finish with natural improvement in what looks an even field of 2yos. 

Bythesea (#12) is a 3yo Ocean Park filly having her fourth career start here for Robert Dennis. She has shown enough in her three starts to date to suggest she can be competitive in a maiden of this strength. She is typically not fast away as a rule, so should settle back of midfield with cover from her handy draw. Will appreciate the conditions as much as any and can go close here. 

Canasta (#9) heads here off a last-start 2nd at Ashburton, where she had a soft run in transit but couldn’t get near the leader and eventual winner. She looks suited back to R75 company and dropping back to 1400m on a testing Heavy track looks ideal. Expect her to position ahead of midfield with cover from her middle draw, where she should have every chance to go one better here. 

Litteral (#7) comes here third-up and having her third start in the South Island since joining Terry Kennedy’s stable. She showed good improvement between her first two runs and should strip fitter again heading here with another run under her belt. She’s been forced to mount her run in the inferior part of the track in each of her first two runs this campaign and now draws to be in the better part of the track from out wide. Won’t mind another Heavy track one bit, strong chance in an even field. 

Undisputed (#6) has recently been the most exciting horse in the South Island since joining the Bruce Tapper barn this year, winning four on the bounce in very smart fashion. He maps to roll forward again from his middle draw in a race that looks to have a genuine tempo, where he may just slot in behind the leaders throughout. He’s shown earlier this prep that a testing Heavy track is no concern either. Should take some beating again. 

Prince Alby (#6) was seen grinding home solidly from the back into 3rd last start at Ashburton. The drop back to a mile here is a slight query, however it should be a very testing track come this stage of the day, which will naturally make it more of a test of endurance. Drawn to be in the best part of the track and should appreciate being down in the weights after Hayley Hassman’s claim. The blinkers going on should sharpen him up also. Looks a solid each-way chance. 

Proclamation (#4) had to sustain a wide run from back of midfield last start at Ashburton, where he loomed up before just battling late into 3rd. Remaining at the mile on a testing Heavy track suits, and he should be mounting his run in the best part of the track from his wide draw. Just needs a back to follow into the race late to be right in the thick of it. Leading contender in a very open race to close the card.