Awapuni Synthetic Tips & Preview | Sunday 30 August

Platinum Sixty Six (#3) has been doing much of his recent racing around this circuit and has been a model of consistency without winning. He was last seen finishing 2nd when splitting race rivals Wind Talker and Thelongerulook, where he looked the winner halfway down but was grabbed in the shadows. He looks well placed carrying just 55.5kg with Bruno Queiroz taking over the riding duties. With Subtle Image running on Saturday, he maps to follow stablemate Sir Mikki in this small field, which should afford him every chance. Hard to beat. 

Weneedashock (#1) returns to the care of Howie Matthews, having done much of his recent racing over the hurdles for the Fannin stable. His last flat run was three starts back here at this track and trip, where he led and was pegged back by Subtle Image and Ruji that day. Dropping back into what looks a very winnable R60 field, he looks very well placed to bounce back to winning form. He maps to go forward and sit outside the likely leader Spinayarn throughout, where they should be able to dictate terms to their liking. Looks the one they have to beat if that eventuates. 

Rosa (#5) comes here off a last-start 3rd here over 1400m, where she was grinding home solidly from just off the speed but came up just short. That effort suggested she would appreciate the rise in trip to 1700m here, where she should again settle just off the speed from her inside gate. Happy to side with her over the early favourite Meridivaci at their respective prices. 

Sierra Leone (#3) resumes here, last sighted finishing down the track in the Wellington Guineas back in March. She has had the benefit of a quiet recent trial earlier this month to prepare, where she wasn’t asked to run a stride under Lily Sutherland that day. She maps to cross the two drawn underneath her, which would give Lily Sutherland the option to take a sit behind the likes of Pinky Pie and So We Go coming across from wider draws. Should that eventuate, she should get her chance to run a big race on her return. 

Hasstobefast (#4) comes into this off a last-start win at this track and trip, where she sat off a strong tempo and just edged out Showbastian Coe late. She maps to get a very similar run here in a race that looks to again have a very strong tempo. From her low draw, I’m expecting Amber Riddell to have her a pair or two back with cover before looking to finish over the top late. Can go back-to-back. 

Croix De Guerre (#3) resumed with a strong effort to score here over 1400m last start, where he raced a touch keenly in a fresh state but still proved too good late. He should be better for that run under his belt and the rise to 1700m shouldn’t pose any concerns. He maps to settle in a forward position in a moderately run race from his inside gate, where Lisa Allpress should give him every chance. Hard to beat. 

Am I Blue (#3) resumed with a pleasing effort for 4th here at this track and trip just over two weeks ago, where she was held up for clear running at a crucial stage but came again nicely late. That run should have brought her on for this and staying at 1400m in what will be a strongly run race should suit. Expect her to get back in the field again from her middle draw, where Lisa Allpress will likely look to save her for one run at them late.