New Plymouth Tips & Preview | Saturday 5 September

Janka (#1) is an 8yo gelding still a maiden coming here at start number 25. He was last seen finishing well down the track at Te Rapa but was held up at a crucial stage that day and only ground home once clear. He looks better suited getting on to Heavy footing here, as he has done much of his better racing in the past on testing tracks. He looks to find a much softer maiden field here and can go close. 

Performer (#1) is a locally trained 4yo son of Circus Maximus coming here at just his third start for Robbie Patterson. He has produced two very good 2nd placings at his two career starts, the latest of which was here at this course and distance where he looked the winner but couldn’t put the race away late. He maps to settle up on speed again from the inside draw, where he may well find himself trailing the leaders throughout. Tom Wigram’s 3kg claim is a big plus and sees him carry just 55.5kg. Hard to beat. 

Luminance (#10) comes here off a respectable effort for 3rd at Rotorua in lesser company, where she travelled well up on speed but just fought on late. The drop back to 990m on what will be a testing track looks ideal, as she has been battling at the end of 1200m lately. She maps to settle up on speed from the inside gate, where she could well lead this field. Could take some catching if that eventuates. 

Thorax (#4) is a locally trained 5yo son of Ribchester resuming here for Robbie Patterson. He was last sighted finishing 7th at Te Rapa in the Karapiro Classic, where he led and gave a good sight but didn’t quite see out the 1600m. He has trialled boldly ahead of his resumption, coasting to the line strongly under his own steam. The wide draw could prove a touch sticky, however it may eventuate to be an advantage if the fence is off after the first few races. Can run a big race first-up. 

Procul Boy (#9) comes here third-up off the back of a pleasing effort for 2nd at Hastings, where he was only getting into his best work very late in the piece. He should be better again for that effort heading here and the rise to 1400m should only suit him further. He rises in grade for this but drops to the minimum as a consequence, and now gets a senior rider in Kelly Myers taking the reins. Expect him to get back off a genuine tempo and look to finish over the top late. 

Yolo (#2) comes here on the short turnaround from Wanganui last week, where she was seen grinding home solidly from the back into 3rd. She is rock hard fit and the prospect of a very testing Heavy track won’t worry her one bit. She maps to get back in the field from her low draw in what will likely be a moderately run race, though I expect them to get moving early from the back. She won this race in similar conditions last year and can go back-to-back. 

Hi Yo Fox Rox (#14) is a locally trained and lightly tried 5yo who was huge when winning here over 2000m last start, sitting wide and working for the duration but keeping up a strong gallop to the line. He drops back in trip for this but finds himself in a 1600m contest with an abundance of early pressure, which should make this a true staying test. He looks well placed carrying just 53kg after the claim and should be out in the best part of the track from his wide draw. Expect him to get back and be working home strongly late. 

Illustrious (#3) is a locally trained 4yo son of Eminent coming here on the short turnaround for Robbie Patterson. He looked pretty flat at Wanganui last week, where he got back and was under pressure a long way out but was grinding home solidly late in the piece. Off that effort, the rise to 1800m on the quick back-up looks ideal. A testing Heavy track shouldn’t concern him one bit, particularly given all the recent racing he has under his belt. Expect him to get back again and look to finish off strongly late.