Rotorua Tips & Preview | Wednesday 1 July

Echannay (#7) is a 3yo Hello Youmzain filly making her debut for Mark Brookes. She showed good improvement at her latest trial, handling the Heavy conditions with ease and pulling away for a good win late. George Rooke taking the reins from a favourable draw on debut is a positive, which should see her afforded every chance. A bold showing on debut would not surprise if she runs up to that latest trial.

Gin And Bare It (#1) is a 3yo filly by Vadamos coming here at just her third career start, with two placings under her belt to start her career, the latest a gutsy 2nd behind progressive 3yo Lumbridge Castle. A Heavy track should pose no concerns and she again maps to lead out in front under Joe Nishizuka, who’s 3kg claim sees her well placed at the weights. Could prove hard to reel in this time.

Gracetheace (#12) heads here off a very unlucky 7th at Te Rapa, where she was shut out of a gap with 200m to run and still picked up well to finish 7th. She should strip fitter again now fourth-up, where the prospect of a Heavy10 track should suit her as well as any in this field. Expect her to be making her run down the outside in the better part of the track from her wide draw. Leading chance. 

Noble Cabello (#2) is a lightly tried 4yo mare coming here at just her sixth start for Benji King. She comes into this off the back of two very good placings to start her campaign and looks well placed to break through for her maiden win here with Michael McNab taking the reins from a wide draw. A testing Heavy track is somewhat of a query, but she’s drawn to be making her run in the best part of the track. Hard to beat. 

Elle McFab (#4) comes here third-up this campaign off the back of two unflattering efforts this time in, not yet recapturing her better form from last campaign. She looks suited coming here third-up and now getting on to a Heavy track, where she has typically done her best work in the past. She likes to lead, and from the wide draw should roll forward under Rihaan Goyaram and find that position. Capable of running a much improved race if left alone in front. 

Sacred Zed (#3) is a 4yo son of Zed heading here fourth-up for Kevin Myers, last seen running an improved race for 2nd on a testing track at Woodville. He should strip fitter again for the run, and the likelihood of a testing Heavy track come this stage of the day would play right into his hands, with the added bonus that he’s drawn to be mounting his run in the best part of the track. He should settle back off what looks a genuine tempo and be grinding home solidly late. Looks to find a winnable R60 contest for him to go one better. 

Scarlet Temple (#7) has faced much stronger R75 contests in her past two efforts than what she meets here. She now looks very well suited getting back on to a Heavy track, which is a key to finding her best form. She finds herself right down in the weights, carrying just 53.5kg despite not being able to utilise all of Ashlee Strawbridge’s 3kg claim. She’ll settle off the speed from her middle draw and look to finish off over the top of these late. Can bounce back sharply.

Zenith (#4) didn’t find much last start at Matamata, although did have some excuses in the run. He should strip fitter heading here now third-up, and the prospect of a testing Heavy10 track come the latter stages shouldn’t concern him. The blinkers now go on and he gets the services of George Rooke in the saddle for this. Should be in the best part of the track from his wide draw, well away from the fence, and an improved showing would not surprise.