3 minute read

Bevan Sweeney: Best At Oaks Day at Trentham Friday Evening

Race 1 
Altari

$360,000 purchase out of the Karaka Weanling Sale by Te Akau and a colt with a lot of upside. He had looked great at the trials before putting up a big performance when trapped wide the trip and still being dominant at the line. He should find a prominent position today from a good draw with Opie aboard and although there are some nice types in here, he should get you day off to a winning start. 

Selections :1,2,3,4 

Race 2 
Herbert

There are two well backed runners here in Billy Lincoln and Sindee and both are big winning chances especially Sindee on the back of an excellent gallop at Otaki. I am however happy to shop a little value here with the Wheeler trained Herbert. This is a race that should be run very quickly, and he maps to get a great run just in behind the tempo. He is a horse that has beaten himself a lot but today they have applied the Blinkers which hopefully will see him race more professionally. He is a horse with good ability and I'm happy to go each way at $11 

Selections: 9,8,5,1 

Race 3 
Nereus

Comes into today with a decent freshen up in his legs so the 1600m looks ideal and he does race well in a fresh state. He was great in the Remutaka Classic and looked to have good quality with the prior two wins. He is drawn awkwardly with top weight so he will have to be close to his best, but he looks an Open Handicapper in the making. Duneagle is flying and can win again, and Lord Donovan looks close to another victory. 

Selections: 1,5,7,3 

Race 4 
8 Nom De Plume

I really liked her in the Avondale Cup, and she didn't let me down with a very brave effort. Her prior run here was enormous in the Trentham Stakes behind Times Ticking and although she steps to the 2600m I don't think it holds to many concerns. She is a very experienced horse with some decent miles in her legs and if the forecast rain arrives Friday night it gives her an even stronger chance. Both stablemates are nice stayers and Sailor Jack was brave at Ellerslie when winning. This should be an interesting contest. 

Selections: 8,1,5,7 

Race 5 
5 Wewillrock

He is weighted to be difficult to beat today. He was brought back from Australia where he raced with great credit to have a crack at the Foxbridge and had to work from an awkward draw on the day. He is drawn out again today but running down the shoot takes some negatives away. He should be able to get nice cover behind a hot tempo and should be right in this fresh up. I expect his price to shorten right up to the start time. 

Selections: 5,1,3,7 

Race 6 
3 Contribute

What a great race! Contribute should have won her last start when running into to traffic problems throughout the run and still only being beaten 1.5L. She was a dominant winner of the Taranaki Cup at her prior effort on rain affected ground. She will get 3 or 4 back the fence so will need some luck from there. She drops back from the 2000m but it's a big mile at Trentham so that shouldn't be too much of a concern. I'd love to see Faraglioni win, and she drawn perfectly to do so and Belclare and No Rain Ever have my respect. 

Selections: 3,5,1,15 

Race 7 
13 Irish Legacy

She was immense when running third at only her second career start running some very sharp sectionals. Out of a two-time Group 1 winner I suspect that she is not far away from our Top Echelon of 3yos. Her mental state is a concern as she does seem to be a thinker at times and that can affect her racing manners. She will have to go back from a wide draw, but there is decent enough tempo in the race to allow her to balance up and get home. If she can do that, she may be a horse that books a trip across the ditch. I really like her as a winning prospect. 

Selections: 13,10,2,4 

Race 8 
7 Livid Sky
This is a dart board job with no clear standout in my mind and a couple of emerging fillies that could jump up and surprise. I have liked Livid Sky throughout her preparation and her run last start was a lot better than it looked at first glance. She looked in my opinion that she was already looking for the 2400m and with the miles she has in her legs this season she will strip an extremely fit horse. She should be put to sleep three or four back the rail and I expect her to be running the trip out strongly. 

Selections: 7,1,6,2 

Race 9 
2 Cheval De Foudre

He looked like a next start winner at his last start performance here at Trentham behind Mahoe. The step up to 2200m looks ideal as he doesn't muster a lot early but can produce a really nice finish. Black Betty and Roulade look dangers and Mckhan and Hula Beat a well capable. 

Selections: 2,11,12,1 

Best: Irish Legacy (Race 7)

Value: Wewillrock and Race 6 Contribute (Race 5)

Blowout: Herbert (Race 2)