Horse Racing

New Plymouth hosts an eight-race program on Friday, with the track rated a Heavy10 and the rail out 7m. Clear conditions leading into raceday may allow for some minor improvement, although the surface is expected to remain in the Heavy9-Heavy10 range throughout. Selections for each race below: New Plymouth Race 1 3 The Republican The Republican (#3) heads here having his first start for the Kevin Myers stable. He was last seen finishing 6th in a maiden highweight at Hawera, where he settled outside the leader but failed to finish the race off in the straight. Back onto Heavy footing…

Trentham hosts a rescheduled 10-race program on Wednesday, headlined by the Manawatu Steeplechase and Manawatu Hurdle. Selections for each of the 10 below: Trentham Race 1 5 Comedy Comedy (#5) makes his hurdling debut here and is sure to have been well educated given he comes out of the Wilson yard. His three flat runs this campaign have all had merit, including his latest efforts in Open Handicap company. The prospect of a Heavy track shouldn’t concern him in the slightest and he gets the services of a handy jumps jockey in Hamish McNeill aboard. A bold hurdling debut is…

Riccarton Synthetic hosts an eight-race program on Wednesday, now running alongside the postponed Trentham meeting. Selections for each race below: Riccarton Synthetic Race 1 1 Reservoir Reservoir (#1) had been racing consistently since joining Danny Crozier in the South Island before a disappointing effort at Ashburton last start, where he finished well down the track. He may be looking for firmer footing than he struck that day and the switch to the polytrack could prove helpful. From the middle draw, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them ride him more positively in a race that lacks obvious speed. This isn’t a strong maiden and he gets…

The midweek program at Doomben features eight races and shapes as a meeting where race patterns could play a key role. With the rail positioned 9 metres out around the entire circuit, runners settling on or near the speed are expected to have an advantage, particularly those who can avoid covering extra ground. There is rain forecast, and while the surface is currently rated a Soft 5, it is likely to deteriorate further into the heavy range as the meeting progresses. That places added importance on horses proven in rain-affected conditions who can still hold a forward position in running.…

Phar Lap Raceway hosts a competitive 10-race program on Sunday, with the track rated a Heavy8 and the rail in the true position. While the forecast is clear, cool conditions in Timaru for Sunday should limit improvement of the surface, with the track likely to remain in the Soft7-Heavy8 range throughout the day. Selections for each of the 10 races below: Timaru Race 1 14 Shocking Secrets Shocking Secrets (#14) resumes after being last sighted finishing 9th at Ashburton in April, where she worked home fairly from the back of the field. She remains at the mile and gets in…

Hong Kong form expert Luke Middlebrook provides his thoughts on every race at the Hong Kong meeting at Sha Tin on Sunday 7 June. Sha Tin Race 1 1 Firefoot Open Race time:  1 Firefoot raced wide throughout in a race of this nature two starts ago, when beaten a neck into second. From barrier 2 today, he can go one place better. Selections: 1-4-10-2 Bet Now Sha Tin Race 2 2 Happy Action Open Race time:  2 Happy Action gets a map upgrade from barrier 3 today after stepping from barrier 12 last start and settling back in a…

Ellerslie hosts an eight-race programme on Saturday, with the track currently rated a Soft6 and the rail out 12m. Further rain is forecast in Auckland leading into raceday, which will provide a good test of Ellerslie’s StrathAyr track. Expect the surface to race closer to a Heavy8 by the time the first race jumps, possibly deteriorating as the day goes on. Selections for each of the eight below: Ellerslie Race 1 7 Astoria Brooke Astoria Brooke (#7) heads here third-up after a very good effort for 4th behind Yaldi here last start, where she was forced to duck and weave…