Awapuni Synthetic hosts an eight-race program on Thursday for their Polytrack Championship Day.
Mitch Davis has been through the form guide and speed maps and has provided his race analysis and betting strategy for each of the 8 races at the Awapuni Synthetic meeting on Thursday 13 August below:
Blondmoon (#3) is a 4yo Hello Youmzain mare who has been thereabouts this campaign without winning. She has been very competitive on Heavy tracks this time in and now makes the switch to the synthetic, which is a slight query. She possesses the early speed to lead this field from her middle gate over the sprint trip and will take plenty of catching if she copes with the footing.
| 3. Blondmoon (4) J: Lisa Allpress 56.5kg X3532T: Chrissy Bambry |
Sesimbra (#2) produced a gallant effort in defeat at the Cambridge Synthetic last start, where she was up on speed wide and working throughout but stuck on gamely for 3rd thereafter. She should be better again for that effort now heading here third-up this campaign. She maps to settle just off the speed throughout in what should be a strongly run 1000m contest despite being a small field. Looks well placed to win.
| 2. Sesimbra (3) J: Leah Hemi 55.5kg 18X53T: Steven Ramsay & Julia Ritchie |
Cajole (#6) is a 4yo Ace High gelding coming here at just his fourth start for trainer Kevin Myers. He comes here off a last-start flop on a testing track at Otaki, where he simply didn’t handle the conditions that day, but his effort prior for 5th at Woodville had plenty of merit. As he has only been exposed to Heavy tracks to date, the first go on the synthetic footing is a slight query. He should be afforded every chance under Lily Sutherland from the inside draw and strikes a winnable race to break his maiden.
| 6. Cajole (1) J: Lily Sutherland 58.5kg 757T: Kevin Myers |
Wind Talker (#6) comes here off a game effort for 2nd here at this track and trip last start behind race rival Thelongerulook, where she snuck runs up the inside but couldn’t go past the winner late. She maps to get back again here in a race that looks to have very little tempo engaged, the same sort of setup she had when winning two starts back. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Amber Riddell put her into the race before the home bend and sustain a run late. Can go one better.
| 6. Wind Talker (8) J: Amber Riddell 57kg 62712T: Mark Oulaghan |
Al Passo (#6) can be forgiven his last-start effort here over 2140m, where he was racing keenly out in front and dropped out sharply late. The drop back to 1700m looks ideal and Tom Wigram taking over the riding duties is a positive, with his 3kg claim seeing him carry just 51kg as a consequence. There looks to be some early pressure engaged in this, however he should be able to cross and find the front without too many issues. The key will be whether Wigram can hold him together and get him into a good rhythm through the early and mid stages. Has the ability, just needs to put it together.
| 6. Al Passo (5) J: Tom Wigram 54kg 00130T: Mike Breslin |
Daiwa Explorer (#2) comes here off a fair showing at his last start here over 1300m, where he was afforded a great run in transit behind the leaders throughout but couldn’t capitalise on that run and had to settle for 3rd. The blinkers going on may just be what he needs to sharpen him up and put his mind on the job late. Expect Lisa Allpress to be positive from the wide draw and have him up on speed throughout. He looks to find a very comparable maiden assignment here to last start and we’re getting a better price about him this time. Happy to go again.
| 2. Daiwa Explorer (7) J: Lisa Allpress 58.5kg 23993T: Kevin & Stephen Gray | |||
| Has ability and is racing well with three minor placings from six starts. Finished third at his most recent appearance over 1300m at this track. Sure to be tough to beat. | |||
East End Lad (#4) made a complete mess of the start here last time over 1300m, standing the field over 5L through the first 100m, but tacked on to run a competitive race and finish a close-up 5th. The blinkers come off for this, which may do the trick in getting him to leave the barriers evenly this time around. Expecting him to hold a much handier position from the inside draw with a typically positive rider Jasmine Fawcett taking the reins. Should take some beating.
| 4. East End Lad (1) J: Jasmine Fawcett 57.5kg 26655T: Mike Breslin | |||
| Has finished midfield at his last few starts, most recently finishing fifth over 1300m at this track. May battle this time. | |||
Dancing Shadow (#7) is a locally trained gelding coming into this off a new career peak figure when winning here in good fashion last start, where he was able to set terms in front before kicking away for a big win late. He has subsequently had a spin around at the trials, where he bowled along solidly in front and won under his own steam. He has the speed to possibly lead again here, although he will likely have a few contenders early for that position. If he can find the front, he should be able to give a big sight under the light weight.
| 7. Dancing Shadow (5) J: Lisa Allpress 54kg 83431T: Kevin & Stephen Gray | |||
| Recent form has been good, with a win most recently over 1400m at this track following a sound third at this track two starts back. Draws well and another big run is in store. | |||
