Ōtaki Tips & Preview | Saturday 17 October

Magnate (#11) is a locally trained 3yo coming here at just his second start for the Andrew Campbell stable, having raced erratically under pressure on debut at Ellerslie after looking to be travelling well entering the home straight. He should be better for that experience, and a return to his home track should help also. He maps to settle much closer from the low draw under Lisa Allpress. Expecting he can run a vastly improved race. 

Singletary (#1) was working up on speed in a strongly run race last start in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas at Hastings, which took its toll late and he faded accordingly. Back to 1200m on his home track looks much more suitable, and the blinkers and tongue tie go on for this. He maps to settle handy to the speed from a middle barrier. Clearly the horse to beat back in much lesser 3yo company. 

Ebony Bassett (#7) resumes here for Allan Sharrock, last seen sitting on the speed and edging away for a convincing 3.4L win at Hawera back in July. She was put away after that effort and comes here first-up without a public trial, which isn’t unusual for the stable. She maps to settle just off the speed from a middle draw under Kelly Myers in an evenly run race. Expecting she’ll be better suited by the firmer footing she should get here, and can take some beating in a fresh state. 

Marriage Vows (#10) is a 5yo mare resuming here for Les Collins, last seen finishing 5th at New Plymouth back in July. I didn’t mind her recent effort at the Matamata trials, where she found the line nicely under very little pressure. She maps to settle midfield with cover from a nice low draw under Lisa Allpress. Even field for her resumption, happy to speculate on her at the price in a fresh state. 

I’m All In (#5) comes here second-up off a last-start 2nd at Te Rapa, beaten nearly 3L, where he closed off nicely from the back of the field. He maps to settle ahead of midfield from his middle barrier, and may just need a touch of luck early to find some cover in what will likely be a strongly run affair. Looks the horse to beat for mine in an even enough field. 

Fairy Dream (#14) made good late ground without ever threatening last start at Ellerslie, having to stop and start in the straight when running into backsides. She comes here second-up and looks suited getting out over 1400m with that run under her belt. She maps to settle closer this time from the inside gate. If the track remains at the better end of the Soft range, she should take all sorts of beating. 

Riverplate (#1) heads here off a last-start 13th at Ellerslie, where he sat up on speed in a strongly run race but faded out late and being beaten a big margin. He draws a middle barrier here and is a fairly versatile type, so can be ridden forward or back depending on early pressure and how he jumps. Happy to speculate on him running an improved race at a price with a better run in transit. 

Legacy (#11) is a locally trained 5yo mare who comes here second-up for Johno Benner, off a 7th at Hawera last start, where she got going late from the back in her first run after a nine-month lay-off. She should be much better for that run heading here, and back on what should be better footing looks ideal. She maps to settle back of midfield from a very wide gate, where I expect Bruno Queiroz will be snagging in search of a back to follow early. Not an overly deep R65 staying field, and she can go close with her best.