3 minute read

Race 1
6 Cochise

Well-bred debutant from a strike-rate stable kicking things off here. Has looked very smart in public runs and looks primed to run a big race. Can't afford to miss a beat though, so will need a complete performance.
Selections: 6-3-2-1-7

Race 2
14 Livy Desma

Never got a crack at them last week, everywhere she went there was a brick wall. In trouble again from the draw but is the sort of horse that with the right amount of luck during the running, could slingshot them all late. Just needs the opportunity.
Selections: 14-3-9-13-4

Race 3
7 Always Dreaming

Turned more than just a few heads with a slashing debut victory last month. Clearly has inherited plenty of the family ability (brother to Don't Stop Dreaming and Dreams Are Free). Will actually strip a better horse today with experience and that's trouble for rivals.
Selections: 7-2-3-1-5

Race 4
11 Better Be Watching

Jogged it last week at Invercargill when winning after finding the front and never looking back. Still learning a bit and has a few quirks, but there's a big motor there and slowly but surely they're allowing it to open up. Can win again.
Selections: 11-9-1-2-8

Race 5
5 Melody Banner

Smart effort first up and will be all the better for having that run under the belt. Likely to look to go forward and control things here and if left to own accord on top might be a bit to slick for them all over the closing stages.
Selections: 5-6-1-7-4

Race 6
4 Advance Party

No shame in the second to Sweet Diamond last time, it was a great run. Gets a good chance here to push forward early and land in a good position and we know she's got enough speed to reel off a quick quarter which might be her best chance of winning this at a nice price.
Selections: 4-8-5-1-7

Race 7
9 Don't Ask

Has been super of late, running big races against quality opposition. Did it tough last week but kept fighting all the way to the line and looks set to continue that here in what is a pretty even trotting field.
Selections: 9-12-3-2-1

Race 8
2 Pinseeker

Raw talent pacer taking on his toughest test to date here. Massive winning the Fruit Bowl at Cromwell but this is a huge step up. No doubting the ability and if he does things right and is handy enough turning for home then he goes close. But getting pretty short.
Selections: 2-11-9-1-4

Race 9
1 Netherton Franco

Underrated pacer who is shaping a really tidy race record. Big win at Cromwell last month and doesn't take a huge step up in grade here today for this either. Added bonus of the ace draw and if able to hold up and control things, should win again.
Selections: 1-3-12-6-5

Race 10
5 Dawson

Up and coming pacer with a big reputation and showed a bit of why last week with a really strong effort to win. Steps up in grade here, but not massively and if able to get onto the speed again he's got the ability to make this race his own.
Selections: 5-8-12-1-6

Race 11
11 Opinion

The most consistent maiden running around in Southland at the moment. Some big performances of late without actually grabbing a win. Can turn that around here. Handy enough draw in an even field to try and make something and if close enough turning for home can get the job done.
Selections: 11-5-13-2-3

Race 12
8 Montage

Handy enough in a lot of the recent runs and meets a very even looking field here. Cops a wide draw but good enough to do some work and find a way into it and won't have to go much better than the recent runs to be a serious player.
Selections: 8-9-10-1-5

Best: 1 Netherton Franco (Race 9)
Next: 5 Dawson (Race 10)
Value: 11 Better Be Watching (Race 4)