Taupō hosts an eight-race card on Friday, with the track rated a Soft7 and the rail out 5m. Conditions are fine and the track should remain in the Soft7 range.
Mitch Davis has been through the form guide and speed maps and has provided his race analysis and betting strategy for each of the eight races at the Taupō meeting on Friday 11 September below:
The Darzi (#4) was last seen finishing 6th, beaten 1.6L, at Taupo four weeks ago, when he was a touch flat-footed when the sprint went on but rallied strongly through the line. Blinkers go on for this, which may help sharpen him up, and he draws a nice low gate. Maps to settle back in the field in a race lacking any tempo, but he has the turn of foot to play a part late.
| 4. The Darzi (2) J: Craig Grylls 58.5kg 92466 T: Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott |
Ellendale (#12) is a 3yo Proisir filly on debut for Tony Pike, having had six trials to prepare ahead of her first start. She has shown good improvement through her trials and looks a more furnished product going off how she has trialled in her two hit-outs this prep. As a 3yo filly taking on the older horses, she finds herself nicely situated down in the weights carrying just 55kg with Michael McNab aboard. She should be able to hold a position ahead of midfield from her middle draw, where McNab should give her every chance to run a bold race on debut.
| 12. Ellendale (6) J: Michael McNab 55kg T: Tony Pike |
Unswayed (#1) was narrowly beaten just 0.3L when 2nd at Arawa Park a month ago, and steps out at just his second start for Conor & Sarah Fahy off the back of that promising debut run. Michael McNab retains the ride from the wide draw, where he maps to settle midfield in an moderate-evenly run affair. Can go one better here in what looks a winnable maiden contest.
| 1. Unswayed (10) J: Michael McNab 58.5kg 2 T: Conor and Sarah Fahy |
Imperial Rose (#6) is 147 days between runs heading into this first-up assignment, but she’s trialled very sharply leading into it, coasting to the line under a tight hold. She was last seen at the races finishing a close-up 4th beaten 1.5L at Te Rapa on a Heavy10 track. She looks suited by the prospect of better footing here and maps to settle handy to the speed from her wider draw in a race that looks to have an even speed engaged. Can run a big race fresh off that trial effort.
| 6. Imperial Rose (8) J: George Rooke 55.5kg 26X4X T: Stephen Marsh |
Rip Tide (#4) is a dual acceptor here and in Race 6, and looks capable of taking some beating wherever connections opt to line him up. He’s a 3yo Ocean Park colt for Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott who has trialled nicely ahead of his debut, finding the line well when asked at his latest trial. Craig Grylls takes the reins from the wide draw, where he maps to settle back in the field, and he can be finishing off over the top of these late.
| 4. Rip Tide (8) J: Craig Grylls 57.5kg T: Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott |
Rip Tide (#14) is a dual acceptor here and in Race 5, and looks capable of showing up wherever connections opt to line him up. He’s a 3yo Ocean Park colt for Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott who has trialled nicely ahead of his debut, finding the line well when asked at his latest trial. No jockey is currently declared for this option, but he does draw a slightly better marble for this. Happy to follow him wherever they run him.
| 14. Rip Tide (5) Scratched: | |||
Admiral Vos (#8) is 128 days between runs heading into this first-up assignment, but he’s trialled strongly leading into it, coasting to the line under a hold. His ran a fair race for 4th beaten nearly 4L at Ellerslie on debut, but should have taken plenty of improvement from the experience. Michael McNab stays aboard from the low draw, where he maps to settle ahead of midfield in a race that only has ann even tempo. Looks well placed carrying 54kg in this R60 context, a bold first-up showing is expected.
| 8. Admiral Vos (3) J: Michael McNab 54kg 4X T: Tony Pike | |||
| Dual acceptor. Returns from a spell. Placed in a recent trial. Raced just once to date and finished fourth at Ellerslie over 1100m. Expecting a strong run fresh. | |||
Bonnie Gem (#4) comes into this off a short freshen, last seen finishing 12th, beaten nearly 20 lengths, at Ruakaka six weeks ago. She has since had a strong hit-out at the trials, scoring nicely when ridden out by Samantha Collett, who remains aboard for this. Expecting she’ll be positive early from the wide gate, and she maps to find the front in a moderate-evenly run affair. If she can dictate terms up front, she’ll take plenty of catching.
| 4. Bonnie Gem (8) J: Samantha Collett 56.5kg 52170 T: Debbie Sweeney | |||
| Hasn’t really fired in two runs since a spell, the latest when beaten 19 lengths into 12th over 1300m at Ruakaka. Has the ability and is among the leading hopes. | |||
