NZ - Te Rapa - Race 7

Thoroughbred

20 Runners

7.5f

Maiden

Turf

SOFT 5

10.0K

VIEW

Verdict

DARK DUKE (5) debuts for the Roger James & Robert Wellwood stable after a tidy Avondale trial win earlier in the month. He also trialled in the spring and was deliberately put aside to wait for some wet tracks. If he starts from a wide gate, then he will be hard to beat. WEDDING BELLE (15) had only the one start in her maiden prep when finishing eighth at Ellerslie over 6 ½f and is expected to have improved with time. Her trial form is sound, and she will be ready to run a race fresh. LAURA (11) produced a strong closing effort to finish third at Pukekohe over 1m last start, and she was scratched midweek to be saved for this race. She should again be in the finish with a similar effort. THE RITZ (13) resumed at Pukekohe and was sound without threatening, finishing midfield over 7f. She is bred to want more ground, and she is likely to be running on late here. Each way value. SHOW MERICAN (10) ran on late for third at Ellerslie last start, and the pole position helps. Include.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
5	Three-year-old gelding (Vadamos - Dark Princess). Roger James & Robert Wellwood has him primed for this with three recent trials leading in today's debut. Won his most recent trial at Avondale over 5f on May 12. Should be primed for a big run despite a tricky barrier. 1st Pick 5 Dark Duke Jockey: Unknown Jockey Trainer: Roger James & Robert Wellwood J: Unknown Jockey T: Roger James & Robert Wellwood	78	-	-	-	11%	17/2
Analysis Three-year-old gelding (Vadamos - Dark Princess). Roger James & Robert Wellwood has him primed for this with three recent trials leading in today's debut. Won his most recent trial at Avondale over 5f on May 12. Should be primed for a big run despite a tricky barrier.
15	Returns to racing after only one start. Back after a year break. At debut last start 8th of 14 at Ellerslie on May 25 over 6 ½f, on a slow track, 4.5 len behind Beneath The Stars with 118lbs at $9. Had three recent trials to get ready for this. Last trial Was third in an Avondale barrier trial over 5f on May 12. Anticipating her to hit the ground running this campaign. 2nd Pick 15 Wedding Belle Jockey: Unknown Jockey Trainer: Roger James & Robert Wellwood J: Unknown Jockey T: Roger James & Robert Wellwood	75	-	-	-	8%	12/1
Analysis Returns to racing after only one start. Back after a year break. At debut last start 8th of 14 at Ellerslie on May 25 over 6 ½f, on a slow track, 4.5 len behind Beneath The Stars with 118lbs at $9. Had three recent trials to get ready for this. Last trial Was third in an Avondale barrier trial over 5f on May 12. Anticipating her to hit the ground running this campaign.
11	At the latest run 3rd of 12 at Pukekohe on May 1 over 1m, on a slow track, 1.5 len behind Radradra carrying 125lbs at $8.90. The run before that second last in a small field at Te Aroha on March 6 over 1m, slow going 7 len behind Alikat carrying 123lbs at $2.60. Made headway last time. Strong chance. 3rd Pick 11 Laura Jockey: Masahiro Hashizume Trainer: Lance O'sullivan & Andrew Scott J: Masahiro Hashizume T: Lance O'sullivan & Andrew Scott	202	-	-	-	14%	13/2
Analysis At the latest run 3rd of 12 at Pukekohe on May 1 over 1m, on a slow track, 1.5 len behind Radradra carrying 125lbs at $8.90. The run before that second last in a small field at Te Aroha on March 6 over 1m, slow going 7 len behind Alikat carrying 123lbs at $2.60. Made headway last time. Strong chance.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Fast

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

Starter Race

An allowance race restricted to horses who have started for a certain claiming price recently.

Yielding

A rain-soaked turf condition often producing a slick or heavy course and slower finish times.