New Plymouth Tips & Preview | Saturday 15 August

Winter Rose (#8) is a 4yo Darci Brahma mare coming here at just her fourth career start for Kevin Myers. She has shown good improvement with each of her three runs to date, culminating in a game effort for 2nd at Wanganui last start, where she sustained a long sweeping run from the back but couldn’t quite reel in the eventual winner, with a big gap back to 3rd. Expect her to get back again from her wide draw under Lily Sutherland and look to finish over the top of these late. The one to beat – particularly if she improves again. 

Burnside Lass (#6) is another 4yo Darci Brahma mare from the Kevin Myers stable. She has had two trials to prepare for her debut, the latest a tidy piece of work on a Heavy track where she didn’t have much clear galloping room in behind but still found the line well. Expecting her to be allowed to find her feet early from the middle draw, settling back of midfield and looking to finish off her race strongly. A tricky race, but happy to speculate on her running a race on debut. 

Ayteem (#2) heads here off a big win here last start over 1800m on a Heavy track, where he was the beneficiary of a very sharp front-running ride from Chris Dell, dictating the tempo before putting his rivals to the sword before the bend and putting the race to bed halfway down the straight. The outside gate in this small field looks perfect, as it should give Chris Dell the opportunity to work forward and cross at his leisure without being bustled overly hard early. From there, it is awfully hard to see how they reel him in if Dell can replicate the tactics that saw him winning last start. 

Dresse’ Par Joli (#8) is a locally trained mare heading here fourth-up for Allan Sharrock. She was last sighted running a moderate race at Waverley for 8th, where she looked to get every chance but just whacked away to the line without threatening. She should be better for that effort under her belt and looks suited getting back to her home track, where she has won both of her appearances at this venue on Heavy footing. Expecting Kelly Myers to let her settle back of midfield from her middle draw before looking to blend into the race late. Can run an improved race back in this sort of company. 

Dubai’s Potiki (#3) was last sighted winning well here at this track and trip last start, where he bided his time back in the field before blending into the race turning for home and surging clear in the straight. He has had a trial earlier this month to keep him ticking over since that win, extending nicely when asked to win that hit-out. Expecting him to position midfield with cover from his low draw in a race that will likely be run at a genuine tempo with Rua Rocks rolling along in front. Looks a great chance of going back-to-back. 

Tolstoy (#4) comes into this off a last-start win at Otaki, where he was able to capitalise on an ideal trailing position just off the speed and reeled the leader in late in the piece. He maps to get a very similar run here from the inside gate in this small field, where there is an abundance of tempo engaged and he should be able to position just behind the speed again. The slight query will be how inferior the inside of the track is come this stage of the day, but trusting Kelly Myers to navigate into the better lanes if the opportunity presents. Can go back-to-back. 

Whiskey ‘N’ Rye (#3) ran a vastly improved race at Wanganui for 2nd last start, where he was shuffled back to last turning for home before making up good ground down the outer. That effort suggested 1400m would now be ideal and he should be rock hard fit with four runs under his belt this time in. Expect him to be allowed to settle midfield with cover from the middle draw, where Lily Sutherland will likely save him for one run late. Solid each-way chance in a very even race to close the card.