NZ - Tauranga - Race 3

Thoroughbred

12 Runners

Maiden

Turf

SOFT 5

11.1K

VIEW

Verdict

FLASHBACK (2) has finished in the money in both of his starts to date, and was a beaten favourite at Te Rapa nearly 3 weeks ago. He won 3 trials before making his debut, and he is spot on with his fitness now. On top. AL AZHAR (8) showed potential as a juvenile, and then needed her first run back from a spell at Te Rapa in the same race as the top pick. She strips fitter, and can figure in the top 3 this time. BOOMSTRUCK (1) has improved in each of his 3 starts to date, and he was only beaten by a nose at Ruakaka a month ago. Rory Hutchings sticks with him, and so do we. O'SWEET DARLING (12) won the last of her 3 trials very easily on this course last month. She cops a wide gate, but she has plenty of natural talent, and if not too green, she can make a winning start to her career. Check the markets. WIND SEEKER (3) battled on fresh up for second in a 4-horse field, and then was better when half a length back in third place at Pukekohe 18 days ago. He is peaking now. Stick with him.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
2	Had two starts to date. At debut, 2nd of 11 at this track on January 2 over 6f, on a slow track, 1.3 len behind Panther with 126lbs at $5.50. Last start 3rd of 8 at Te Rapa on January 16 over 6f, slow going 2.25 len behind Glam Award with 127lbs at $2.60. Progressing well and will give this a shake. 1st Pick 2 Flashback Jockey: Opie Bosson Trainer: Stephen Marsh J: Opie Bosson T: Stephen Marsh	167	-	-	-	39%	13/8
Analysis Had two starts to date. At debut, 2nd of 11 at this track on January 2 over 6f, on a slow track, 1.3 len behind Panther with 126lbs at $5.50. Last start 3rd of 8 at Te Rapa on January 16 over 6f, slow going 2.25 len behind Glam Award with 127lbs at $2.60. Progressing well and will give this a shake.
8	Second-up. Promising on debut 4th of 9 at Te Rapa on May 24 over 5 ½f, on a slow track, 6 len behind Geneva with 121lbs at $17.80. Went for a spell before returning 4th of 8 at Te Rapa on January 16 over 6f, on a slow track, 3.5 len behind Glam Award with 122lbs at $10.10. Fitter for that run and expected to be in the finish this time. 2nd Pick 8 Al Azhar Jockey: Masahiro Hashizume Trainer: Lance O'sullivan & Andrew Scott J: Masahiro Hashizume T: Lance O'sullivan & Andrew Scott	86	-	-	-	15%	6/1
Analysis Second-up. Promising on debut 4th of 9 at Te Rapa on May 24 over 5 ½f, on a slow track, 6 len behind Geneva with 121lbs at $17.80. Went for a spell before returning 4th of 8 at Te Rapa on January 16 over 6f, on a slow track, 3.5 len behind Glam Award with 122lbs at $10.10. Fitter for that run and expected to be in the finish this time.
1	Returns from a 30-day let-up. Most recently 2nd of 11 at Ruakaka on January 6 over 6f, on a slow track, 0.1 len behind Zivou with 126lbs at $4.20. The start before that 5th of 10 at Ellerslie on December 11 over 6f, on a slow track, 2.5 len behind Miss Jones with 126lbs at $7.20. Improver who can measure up this time. 3rd Pick 1 Boomstruck Jockey: Rory Hutchings Trainer: Jenna Mahoney J: Rory Hutchings T: Jenna Mahoney	133	-	-	-	23%	7/2
Analysis Returns from a 30-day let-up. Most recently 2nd of 11 at Ruakaka on January 6 over 6f, on a slow track, 0.1 len behind Zivou with 126lbs at $4.20. The start before that 5th of 10 at Ellerslie on December 11 over 6f, on a slow track, 2.5 len behind Miss Jones with 126lbs at $7.20. Improver who can measure up this time.

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Horse Racing Basic Terms

Fast

A dry dirt track that is typically an ideal racing surface.

Trifecta

A wager picking the first, second and third horses in the exact order. A trifecta box means paying more to ensure the horses can finish in any order in the top three spots.

Paddock

The area where horses gather before the race to be saddled and paraded for the public.