The Shark heads out to the Rangiora Racecourse for the Amberley Trotting Club’s annual Waitangi Day race meeting in search of success where big and even fields are the order of the day.
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Race 1
4 Vacation Hill: Took a pretty smart one to get past at Orari last week after finding the front. This is a little bit harder again, but certainly deserves a winning turn.
14 Tyene: Looked very smart winning a trial at Ashburton last week. Beautifully bred and should be right in the middle of the fight here on debut.
10 Just One More: Stepped up at Mot and showed a bit of ticker to run second. Clearly won’t be a maiden for too long and a big chance of success here.
7 Rain Mist And Muscle: Just got too far away from them at Mot last time out but prior form was encouraging. Has to be thrown in the mix here as an each way hope.
Selections: 4-14-10-7
Race 2
11 Terry: Everyone spotted his effort late at Addington on debut for sixth. A little more luck in the running and he’s the one they all have to beat here today.
4 Duke: Second line draw didn’t help last time out. Orange back in the cart. Front line and a strong each way prospect.
7 Megarock: Has been knocking on the door in recent efforts and getting better with each run. Should be able to play a role in today’s assignment with any luck.
8 Budvar Eyre: Off the unruly and back into the draw. Which, provided manners are there, should have him right in the fight. Certainly has the ability.
Selections: 11-4-7-8
Race 3
13 Markham Eyre: Flashing home again last time out. Needs that one cold shot at them and with that would be very hard to hold out in this field.
14 Spicy Girl Becqui: Just got one spot too far back at Orari last week but really warmed up late. Good enough to swoop on most of these and get the job done.
11 Garry’s Legacy: Freshened following the Coast trip. Not bad there and falls into a pretty winnable sort of race here so looks a strong chance.
5 I’m Jimmy James: More upside than most and the right man sitting in the bike. Only concern is the grass track form. Needs to be in though.
Selections: 13-14-11-5
Race 4
5 Amulet: Better than most in this field and with manners and a run on or near to the speed should be right in the mix today in what is a very even field.
1 Prince Teka: Led them up and only just went down at The Mot last time out. Gets a good draw on a front runners track so needs to be in the mix.
10 Foreigner: Form on the board and doing it all really nice too. Manners are excellent so needs to be given a strong chance of getting into it here.
8 Midnight Assassin: Not his fault last time out but two runs for third prior to that were both excellent. Good enough to win this with a little bit of luck.
Selections: 5-1-10-8
Race 5
4 Hells Shadow: Been busy, but loving racing. Front line draw here can help make all the difference and should be on the speed and hardest to beat today.
10 For Today: Hasn’t run a bad race in a long time. Potentially tricky draw here, but with the rub of the green could take some beating.
11 Maggie: Going great guns and should be rewarded with a maiden victory at some point soon. Nice run through from the second line and it might be here.
1 Miss Impression: Will take a line from the strong effort for third fresh up. That’s a good pointer for this. Can certainly get in on the action from the ace.
Selections: 4-10-11-1
Race 6
10 Picture Me: Heart issues last time don’t exactly fill you with confidence, but an All Stars runner with potentially a very good draw. Things look bright.
1 Mongolian Conqueror: No luck at all last time out and prior form had been good. Inside draw and with a positive steer here should be right in amongst it.
4 Violet Knight: Spotted putting in some big strides late last time out to finish fifth. Is more then capable and could be the surprise packet here.
8 JR Bromac: Got a bit keen at Addington last time out. Likely to push forward here and with a good trip on the speed is more than just a runners’ chance.
Selections: 10-1-4-8
Race 7
3 Claus: Enjoying life and with good gate speed should be right on the speed from early on and then, with the right kind of trip – a hard one to catch.
14 Givemewhatineed: Knocking on the door and a key scratching here really enhances his chances. Won’t shirk the challenge and best version hard to beat.
7 Yoha: Not a lot of luck in recent starts but meets an even field here with Blair Orange in the bike. Can certainly play a role with the right kind of run.
2 Essence Of Easton: Third last week at Orari was a point in the right direction. Loves the grass and certainly good enough to be a major player today.
Selections: 3-14-7-2
Race 8
13 Star’s Tonight: Freshened after Blenheim efforts. Been a bit of a Cup’s King this season. 20m shouldn’t hold him back with a good beginning.
12 Cast No Shadow: Out of the Invercargill Cup for this, so should appreciate the drop in grade. Good enough to make a big play for success.
2 Just Holla: Another in great form and was brave in his effort for fourth last time out. Dangerous if he can jump onto the speed and keep them honest.
6 Cheezel: Issues last time out. Methven workout prior to that was stunning. Loves the grass and might be the blowout hope here today if things go right.
Selections: 13-12-2-6
Race 9
14 Baxter: On exposed form he’s got some of the best in the race. Generally a good beginner who should eat into the 20m and offer up a strong each way hope here.
17 Vallloria: Unsighted since December when taking on the big guns. Should find this a bit easier and even off the 40m handicap needs to be given a strong chance of success.
8 Momentous: Never far away from the action and does enjoy this course. Quiet run close to the speed and there’s every chance of at least another placing.
16 Overzealous: Spotted putting in some telling strides late at Addington behind some good ones last week. Could boom home over them all here with the right run.
Selections: 14-17-8-16
Race 10
16 Steel The Show: Orange chooses this one over multiple other runners. Four really good runs to open the career. Has to be seen as a leading contender here.
1 Rocknroll Max: Produced two really good efforts to open the career and from a handy draw here today has to be given a big chance of getting another win.
18 Burlington: He’s gone beast mode in his two most recent victories. Not helped by the unruly but if he catches the start right, then look out.
13 Razors Edge: You can only but win and the two efforts at Blenheim were excellent and each better than the other. Well over the odds considering form.
Selections: 16-1-18-13
Race 11
6 Kiss The Girls: Big run at Addington up in grade last time out. Got well back and boomed home. Grass is no problem. Good draw and hard to beat.
9 Chubby Checker: Excellent win to see punters home fresh up at Addington last week. Going to win a few races, but will need to be even better here.
16 Cheddar Valley: More than capable of rounding this field up if in the right mood. Just tends to beat himself sometimes. Has to be considered all the same.
11 The Kaik: Getting back in the ratings now and he’s very effective on the grass. Could be the knockout horse here with the right kind of run at them.
Selections: 6-9-16-11
BEST: 4 Hells Shadow (Race 5)
NEXT: 6 Kiss The Girls (Race 11)
VALUE: 14 Baxter (Race 9)
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