Oamaru Tips & Preview | Friday 14 August

Full Of Gusto (#1) has been one of the most aggressively placed maiden stayers going around in the South Island this season, having done much of his racing out of maiden company. He comes into this off a last-start 6th in a 1800m Open Handicap at Riccarton, beaten 5L behind Riviera Rebel and co. He now steps back up to a more suitable trip and drops back into maiden company, where he should lead this field comfortably if ridden positively early and take plenty of catching thereafter. 

Strong (#9) comes here off a last-start 6th at this track and trip, which was a better effort than the 6.5L beaten margin suggests, as he was forced to work hard without cover for the entirety. The blinkers go on for this and he maps to again go forward from the middle draw, where he should be able to find a forward position without being required to work as hard this time around. A very even maiden field and he looks a solid each-way chance at the price. 

Friendofthedevil (#4) is a 33-start maidener coming here off a moderate showing at the Riccarton Synthetic, where she had to work early and copped a significant check turning for home, finishing last. The drop back to the mile looks ideal and back on the turf also suits, where she should be much better suited by the prospect of Heavy footing. Expect her to settle back in the field in what will likely only be a moderately run race, but she should get clear running to build into the race late. A very even field, but a good opportunity for her to break her maiden. 

Globalist (#1) was last sighted finishing a close-up 3rd at the Riccarton Synthetic, where he looked to get an easy time of things in front but just fought on fairly in the straight. Going off what he showed here over 1200m two starts back, the return to a Heavy track at Oamaru looks much more suitable. He maps to again lead this field and should be able to dictate terms throughout under Terry Moseley. The form out of his 2nd here has since stacked up, with Honor The Name winning well last weekend. Looks the one to beat. 

Magnastar (#2) comes here on the short turnaround from Saturday, where he ran a game race for 2nd behind Honor The Name over 1200m at Riccarton. He maps to take up a forward position from the inside gate, where Ashlee Strawbridge should have the opportunity to lead or trail (pressure dependent). Her apprentice claim sees him nicely placed down in the weights carrying just 54kg, whilst the prospect of another Heavy track here will be right up his alley. He looks to find a much more winnable race here on paper and should take some beating. 

Smashing Fashion (#13) is a 4yo Brave Smash mare having her first start for the Amber Hoffman stable, last sighted finishing down the track as a 2yo at Te Rapa back in April 2025. She showed some ability in her trials as a 2yo but was quite small in stature and may have appreciated some time away from the races. She comes here without recent public trials or jumpouts, though the same applies to a number engaged in this. Speculating on her at the price. 

Fourofus (#2) is a 4yo son of Tivaci resuming for Kelvin Tyler, last seen finishing down the track in the Dunedin Guineas back in February. He showed some ability through his earlier runs last season before tackling stronger 3yo company, including a dominant maiden win at Gore on a Heavy track. Being first-up at a distance short of his best, expect him to land midfield with cover from the low draw. Not a strong field for his resumption and he can take some beating if anywhere near his best in a fresh state. 

What She Wants (#13) comes here third-up off a bold effort last start at Riccarton, where she was wide throughout but picked up nicely over the concluding stages to finish into 2nd. The map is a touch sticky from her wide draw, though I expect Kylie Williams will look to float forward in search of cover around midfield, and being drawn out wide come this stage of the day may only prove a positive. She should only strip fitter again heading into this with those two runs under her belt and looks ideally placed staying at a mile on a Heavy track. Strong chance to close the card.