Te Rapa Tips & Preview | Monday 26 October

Romanoff (#4) comes here off a last start 11th at Hastings six weeks ago, where he sat handy but weakened in the straight on a Heavy track. The conditions underfoot and the genuine tempo were probably unsuitable that day given he was first-up since March. He comes here second-up and has had the benefit of a trial in the interim to keep him up to the mark, which was a quietly impressive piece of work. He maps to settle behind the likely leader Leroy Brown from his inside draw, which should see him afforded every chance. He looks capable of bouncing back here. 

With Grace (#4) won by over 4L here over 2400m six weeks ago, travelling kindly just behind the speed before going on to win without being asked to run a step. She comes here fresh, and the drop back to 2100m should suit fine given the gap between runs. She maps to settle back of midfield with cover in a moderately run race, which should suit her more than others given she possesses a sharper turn of foot than these. She looks a good chance to continue her winning ways. 

Eliud (#1) heads here off a last start 2nd at Hastings just over two weeks ago, where he got home strongly from the back but came up just short over the 2200m journey. He looks suited now getting out over 2400m, given he’s deep in his prep with five runs under his belt. He maps to settle closer to the speed here from the low draw, with the likely leader Faultless drawn directly to his outer. He only has to hold his recent form to be taking plenty of beating in this. 

Universal Patch (#4) resumes here for Shaun Phelan, last seen finishing well down the track at Pukekohe back in March, where he was forced to sustain a sprint out very wide in a race that suited those up and in. He has had the one trial to prepare for this, where he was finding the line well before being tightened for room late in the piece. He maps to settle back of midfield from his middle barrier, having not shown all that much tactical speed to date. In a very even maiden field, I’m happy to speculate on him at long odds. 

Justin Case (#1) comes here off a narrow win in the Sir Colin Meads Trophy at Hastings six weeks ago, where he sat outside the leader throughout and proved too strong late. He’s had a trial since at Matamata, where he led and stretched out for a big win late, and should strip fitter coming here second-up. He maps to lead from a middle draw and may just have to hold off some pressure from out wide early. He could give the favourite and others a run for their money if he can lead and dictate from the front end. 

Magice (#1) comes here off a first-up win at Matamata three weeks ago, where he travelled kindly on the speed, hit the front turning for home and went on to win well late. He maps to settle off the speed this time, as there looks to be an abundance of early pressure, so it should set up well for George Rooke to just snag in for cover behind the speed from a middle alley. He looks a big price if he can take any improvement out of that resuming win. 

Glance (#4) resumes here, last seen finishing 3rd in the Gr.3 Championship Stakes at Ellerslie back in April. She has had two trials to prepare for this, where she has been given a very quiet time of things, allowed to coast to the line under her own steam. She maps to settle back in the field from the wide draw, which is the clear concern given the 1300m is also a touch sharp for her. She looks to have more upside than most of these, and I’m happy to be with her at the price despite the map concerns. 

Flanagan (#8) got back and made no impression when 11th at Matamata three weeks ago, in a race dominated by those in the first half of the field. Heading here second-up, she should strip fitter and looks much better suited stretching out over 1500m. Wiremu Pinn takes the reins from a low draw, where I expect she should be able to hold a midfield position with cover. She looks a solid each way chance in an even field to close the card.