Gore Tips & Preview | Friday 16 October

Chataya (#2) sat off the speed and fought well in the straight last start at Timaru, finishing into 2nd. She maps to settle up on speed in this small field, where they shouldn’t get along at anything more than an even speed. Although she’s a 19-start maiden, this is a very soft maiden field, and it looks her race to lose if she cops the track. The one to beat. 

Flash Roca (#2) couldn’t quicken from back in the field in a slowly run race last start at Wingatui, beaten a big margin into 8th. She maps to settle back in the field from a wide gate in a moderate-evenly run race here. Expecting a track towards the better end of the Heavy range may suit her better than others in this. Didn’t have much between her and the favourite, siding with her at the better price. 

Yoo Hoo Joy (#4) got back and never threatened to win last start at Timaru, though she was finishing off fairly well, possibly just unsuited by the firmer conditions underfoot. She maps to settle midfield on the fence from the inside gate, which should be fine if the rail is holding up okay at this point of the day. Finds a very winnable race if she brings her best. 

Flying Julz (#4) sat wide and worked without cover for the duration last start at Wingatui, just peaking on her run halfway down the straight to finish 5th. She comes here second-up at just her third career start as a lightly tried 4yo mare, and should be better for that resuming effort. She looks suited drawing a much better gate under the light weight, where I expect she’ll be up on speed again here. Looks the one to beat on exposed form in a field of a few unknowns. 

Claudius Maximuss (#2) got back and was putting in some good late strides out wide last start at Phar Lap Raceway. He maps to settle handy to the speed in this small field, where they may only go along at an even gallop after finding their positions. Should go close in this if he runs up to that last start effort. 

Fast Like Thunder (#2) was eased out of the race last start at Timaru, where something was clearly amiss, though he vetted clear after the race. His prior form was sound, and if you put a line through that last start run, he looks the one to beat in this. Expecting he may be ridden neutrally from the middle draw. Can bounce back here. 

Vitebsk (#10) comes here first-up, last sighted finishing 3rd at Oamaru back in July on a testing track. She drops back to R65 grade for this, and still finds herself well suited down in the weights carrying just 53.5kg after the claim. Would be thereabouts in this if she ran up to that last start effort in a fresh state here. 

The Hares Ears (#3) resumed from a two month break last start at Timaru, finishing off fairly into 10th on a Good4. She comes here second-up and maps to settle handy to the speed from the wide gate, where I expect she may end up following Jikon across early. Finds a very winnable R65 field with something closer to her best. 

Ripa Time (#7) sat wide with cover and made absolutely no impression late last start at Wingatui, beaten a long way as a short-priced favourite. It’s a case of taking the stable on trust to have her back on song for this. She maps to settle handy to the speed, where she should get a good cart forward early from a middle draw. Capable of better, can bounce back in this.