Te Aroha hosts a six-race card on Thursday, with many of these races postponed from the abandoned meeting on King’s Birthday. The track is currently rated a Heavy9, with the rail out 6m. Isolated showers are forecast over the next 24 hours, which should see the track remain in the Heavy range come Thursday. Te Aroha Race 1 5 Jamestown Jamestown (#5) is a lightly tried 4yo son of Turn Me Loose resuming for Diane Kennedy after finishing well down the track on debut back in October. His recent trial efforts have been sound and should have him forward enough…

Cambridge Synthetic hosts their second meeting of the year, with what looks to be a great betting card from start to finish. Selections for each of these eight races below: Cambridge Synthetic Race 1 1 Altiplano Altiplano (#1) heads here third-up following two game runner-up performances this preparation, the latest coming over 1300m at this track. He worked to the line strongly on that occasion and looks ideally suited by the rise to 1550m. While the wider draw may require a touch of luck early, he shapes as one of the more reliable runners in this maiden field and should…

Te Aroha hosts a nine-race card on Monday for King’s Birthday, featuring a mix of jumping and flat racing. The track is currently rated a Soft5, with the rail out 6m. Isolated showers are forecast throughout raceday, which should ensure the surface remains in the Soft5 to Soft6 range for the duration of the program. Selections for each of the nine races below: Te Aroha Race 1 1 Red Ned Red Ned (#1) held his own in open hurdle company last start when finishing 2nd behind Never Look Back at Wanganui. He now drops back into maiden company and looks…

Wingatui hosts an 11-race program for Wairio Cup Day on Sunday, with the track rated a Heavy10 and the rail in the true position. Although the forecast is clear, cool conditions in the far south are likely to limit any significant improvement, with conditions expected to remain in the Heavy9-Heavy10 range throughout the day. Selections for each of the 11 below: Wingatui Race 1 3 Doubtable Doubtable (#3) is a 2yo daughter of Doubtland making her debut for Terri Rae. Her two trial performances have been encouraging without being spectacular, but the key positive has been the early speed she…

Awapuni Synthetic hosts its first meeting of the year on Sunday, with a competitive eight-race program assembled. Selections for each of the eight below: Awapuni Synthetic Race 1 7 Red Lady Red Lady (#7) is a lightly raced 5yo mare who resumes for local trainers Stephen and Kevin Gray after more than a year away from the races. She comes into this with the benefit of two recent trials, including a nice trial win in her latest appearance. While she is yet to race on the polytrack publicly, she will have had plenty of exposure to the surface at home…

Te Rapa hosts an eight-race card on Saturday, with the track currently rated a Soft6 and the rail in the true position. A clear forecast between now and raceday should see conditions continue to improve, with the surface expected to present closer to a Soft5 come the opening event. Selections for each of the eight below: Te Rapa Race 1 10 Madame Kleptomane Madame Kleptomane (#10) hardly set the world on fire last start on the Cambridge Synthetic, where she appeared to get her chance in a moderate maiden but could only manage 5th. Happy to forgive that effort back on the…

Wanganui hosts a competitive nine-race program on Saturday, with the track currently rated a Soft6 and the rail in the true position. With a clear forecast for Wanganui ahead of and during raceday, the track should present no worse than a Soft5 come the first. Selections for each of the nine races below: Whanganui Race 1 3 Diplomatic Diplomatic (#3) is a 3yo son of Darci Brahma resuming here for Gavin Sharrock, last sighted finishing 4th at Otaki back in February. He showed glimpses of ability in his first campaign, including his first-up effort at Te Rapa where he wasn’t…

Tauranga hosts an eight-race card on Friday, with the track rated a Soft5 and the rail out 3.5m. A clear forecast should see conditions remain no worse than a Soft5 throughout the meeting. This will be the first use of the track in over two months, and the surface played very up and in at the previous meeting, so expecting those racing handy and close to the fence to be advantaged through the day. Selections for each of the eight below: Tauranga Race 1 17 Gin And Bare It Gin And Bare It (#17) is a 3yo Vadamos filly who produced a…

Riccarton Synthetic plays host to an eight-race card on Wednesday. Consistent conditions can be expected across the duration of the card, with all runner getting their chance (pace dependant). Selections for each of the eight races below:  Riccarton Synthetic Race 1 6 Queen Of Naples Queen Of Naples (#6) got home strongly behind Dimaggio here over 1400m last start, where she settled well back from a wide gate before weaving through strongly for 3rd. She now heads here third-up, rises in trip and looks very well placed carrying just 53kg after Floor Moerman’s claim. Drawn to settle much closer in…

Te Rapa hosts an eight-race card on Sunday, with a mix of flat and jumping races across the meeting. The track is currently rated a Soft6 and the rail is out 10m. While the forecast is clear for Hamilton, being a jumps meeting, I expect they’ll apply irrigation to keep plenty of moisture in the surface. Conditions should remain in the Soft6-Soft7 range throughout the day. Selections for each of the eight below: Te Rapa Race 1 6 Island Hop Island Hop (#6) makes his jumping debut here for the Kevin Myers yard and is sure to be well educated…