Ōtaki Tips & Preview | Thursday 30 July

Kyanite Man (#4) produced a strong effort to score here at this course and distance last start, grinding home nicely from the back to win in testing conditions. Expect him to settle much closer to the speed from his low draw, where he should be a pair back from the leaders if he jumps evenly. It’s a big jump in class to take on some decent 3yos, but he may just be able to out-tough them in the conditions here. 

Knock Off (#5) has had four runs back this time in without beating many home, but has had the benefit of a trial since his last start to keep him ticking over, where he found the line nicely on Heavy footing in that hit-out. The key here is getting back on his preferred Heavy footing, as it’s simply the wetter the better for him. Expecting him to settle up on speed throughout from his wider draw in this small field. Should run a vastly improved race. 

Rocking (#2) bounced back to form with a strong win at Tauranga last start, where she led and lapped up the testing Heavy conditions that day. She looks suited by the prospect of another testing Heavy track here, as it too is a case of the wetter the better for her. She maps to again land up on speed in this small field where there doesn’t look to be an abundance of tempo. Can go back-to-back. 

Tolstoy (#4) heads here off a game effort for 2nd behind race rival Farravallo, where he was forced to shift ground inside the eventual winner who found the optimal lane on the outside fence in front of him. He should be better again for that second run under his belt this campaign, which should bring him on nicely for this assignment on a testing Heavy track. Expect him to settle off the speed in what will be a truly run affair. He typically goes very well here as a general rule and gets his chance to go one better. 

O’Baby (#5) comes here first-up, last seen finishing last of five in the Champagne Stakes at Ellerslie. Her prior effort when winning on debut has stacked up well since, with Shamelia Kirk being a subsequent winner and stakes performer. She comes here without a trial under her belt, which is a slight knock, however Kurtis Pertab should have her forward and ready for this assignment. She looked to handle a testing Heavy track in a trial prior to her debut, but whether she copes with the conditions under race pressure is another question. Siding with her in a very open edition of the Ryder Stakes. 

Luminance (#8) found the 3yo company she met at Te Rapa last start a bit too rich and couldn’t go with them on the Heavy8 track that day. Back to a testing Heavy10 looks far more up her alley, whilst she also comes back to R65 company here. She maps to settle off the speed with cover from her wider draw, where I expect Wiremu Pinn will be plotting a path towards the outside fence. Even field and happy to side with her at the price. 

Maranello (#1) proved the maiden win at long odds two starts back was no fluke, backing it up with an eye-catching effort for 2nd at Hawera last start. Going off that maiden win, the prospect of a testing Heavy track here likely won’t bother him one bit, especially now with two runs under his belt this campaign. He maps to land back of midfield in an evenly run race, where Jonathan Riddell will likely be steering a path to the outside fence. Should be fighting out the finish in an even field. 

Four Square Pete (#3) won well on a testing Heavy10 track last start at Trentham, where he relished the conditions and ran on by race rival Ziggy Khan late. He should only be better again for that second-up effort, and the prospect of another testing Heavy10 here come the last of the day will be right up his alley. He maps to do no work midfield with cover throughout in a race that looks to have a genuine tempo, which should set up nicely for him to be building into the race late. Can repeat the dose again here.