Taupō hosts a short and sweet six-race twilight card on Thursday afternoon, with the track rated a Soft6 and the rail in the true position. A warm and sunny forecast should see the track race closer to a Good4/Soft5 come the first of the day.
Mitch Davis has been through the form guide and speed maps and has provided his race analysis and betting strategy for each of the six races at the Taupō meeting on Thursday 5 November below:
Syracuse (#3) resumes here for Donna Logan, last seen finishing well down the track at Pukekohe back in April. I really liked her recent trial, where she responded well to light urgings from the rider and got home nicely, which points to a forward showing here. I also like the intent from the stable to have her running over 1400m first-up. She maps to settle back in this small field from the wider draw, in what looks to be only a moderately run race. I’m happy to speculate on her running a cheeky race at the price.
| 3. Syracuse (3) 58kg1070x |
Woman In Charge (#2) resumes here for the Walker/Bergerson stable, last seen finishing 6th at Ellerslie back in November. Her two trials ahead of this prep have been quietly impressive, where she has found the line nicely with plenty in hand. She maps to settle back of midfield from the middle draw, where I expect Michael McNab will just allow her to find her feet early. She produced her career peak figure first-up at this track and trip last campaign when running 2nd – she will take some beating if she runs up to that here.
| 2. Woman In Charge (5) 57.5kg2236x |
Nanesse (#5) is a 3yo Tarzino filly resuming for the James/Wellwood stable, last seen finishing 3rd against in a four-horse field of 2yo’s at Otaki back in April. I thought there was plenty to like about her recent trial win, where she showed good tactical speed and kept up a strong gallop to the line. She maps to settle just behind the leaders here, possibly tagging Fiesta and Stanza throughout from the inside gate, which should see her afforded every chance. A bold showing in a fresh state wouldn’t surprise.
| 5. Nanesse (1) 55.5kg3x |
I’m Quinn (#2) got back and couldn’t make any impression in a fast run 1400m here last start, finishing well down the track. He was likely in need of the run at a distance well short of his best, and should strip fitter heading here second-up. The step up to 2000m looks much more suitable, and Michael McNab taking the reins looks a big assist. He maps to settle midfield with cover off an even tempo. An improved showing in an even maiden wouldn’t surprise.
| 2. I’m Quinn (5) 58.5kg323×9 |
Judy’s Smarties (#7) can be forgiven his 8th at Matamata a month ago, where he sat just off the speed in a genuinely run race but had no favours in the straight and couldn’t obtain a marginal run up the fence late. The form out of that race has already been franked, with two horses already breaking their maiden at their subsequent start. He maps to settle handy to the speed, likely tagging his stablemate Finozino from the inside gate. He should prove very hard to hold out if the gaps go his way this time.
| 7. Judy’s Smarties (1) 57kg3×8 |
Tip Top (#8) got back and ran on late without threatening when 6th at Hastings almost four weeks ago, in what was a slowly run race where those back in the field couldn’t get into it. She looks suited dropping back into maiden company and maps to settle midfield with cover from the middle draw, where she should be given every chance under Matt Cartwright. She hasn’t had all the favours in her short career to date and can take some beating with even luck in running here.
| 8. Tip Top (6) 55.5kg8456 |
