3 minute read

Bevan Sweeney: Best At Tauherenikau On Saturday Night

Race 1 
3 Vespacian

This is a race that is tough to assess as the fields form across the board is moderate. However, if you delve back into this horse's career, she has rated well enough to win this race convincingly and two starts back she looked to be finding form and she drops back from Open grade to a rating 60 today. She has been at times a dominant front runner and a return to that would see her go close at a big price. If she comes out, then the Stablemates Take On and All In Blackberry look decent chances. 
Selections: 3-1-6-4 

Race 2 
5 Vavoom

She is a quick filly who during her first preparation has form around nice horses especially when you look at her last start, she was fourth to Revolt, Platinum Attack and Bridal Train. She trailed up with great gusto at Foxton recently and although drawn awkwardly I believe she can get across and lead which will be crucial today over the 1000m. They have opened her at $3 and I would expect that to shorten up. 
Selections: 5-3-8-6 

Race 3 
2 Ardee Boy

Really liked this horse in his first preparation and I think you will see a much better individual this time. He impressed at the trials before winning his debut and then he ran with credit in some decent company. He was eye-catching at the Jump outs at Levin behind the smart Ima Brazen One and draws to advantage today. There is a lot of speed in this race, and I can see him sitting just behind that and getting across this field late in the race. 
Selections: 2-7-3-6 

Race 4 
1 Paragon

Has travelled a long way for her fresh up assignment which suggests she is ready to go this afternoon. Her trial also suggested that she has come back well after a first preparation where she was placed in Black type at two. She was missing away at the end of last preparation but was ok at the trials recently so she should be able to use the draw under Riddell. This is far from a soft kill with Rosalita, Tivaci's Affair, Swiss Belt and others in this race but her form does stand out like a beacon. 
Selections: 1-3-5-2 

Race 5 
9 Speed Dial

Super impressed by this filly at her debut after being hampered at the start she boomed home behind a horse that has stepped up to 65 grade nicely. She draws much better today and should be able to find the perfect spot and with any luck she looks outstanding value to me at $4. 
Selections: 9-2-6-3 

Race 6 
8 Sol De Otono

She was balloted out of the Oaks after a close-up 2nd to Call A Friend who ran very well in the Oaks. She is a work in progress, and she can have a very awkward head carriage and become quite unbalanced. However, she is getting better with racing, and she looks well capable of sitting back in this and running across the top of them late. Has to be a major player today. 
Selections: 8-7-1-10 

Race 7 
5 Titled

Really looks to have matured this preperation and it was an extremely soft victory last start. Steps up to the 2050m but looks very well weighted and drawn to get the softest of runs. She has taken time, but I think they will get repaid well in the coming 12 months. 
Selections: 5-3-1-2 

Race 8 
8 Starbilly

He is a decent horse this fellow who they had some Derby thoughts with early in the season. He looked great at the trials before putting up two great runs in his first two before being very disappointing at Hawera. Peter Didham then put him aside for the future. His trial was only ok, but he will improve over the 1600m. Hés one that I'm happy to play each way and whatever he does today expect sharp improvement. 
Selections: 8-10-4-11 

Best: Paragon (Race 4) and Speed Dial (Race 5) 
Value: Ardee Boy (Race 3) and Vavoom (Race 2) 
Blowouts: Vespacian (Race 1) and Starbilly (Race 8)