We have a lighter than usual representation of New Plymouth trained runners at today’s meeting at Hawera. The meeting had to be transferred away from New Plymouth due to the heavy rain that fell in the last 72 hours leading into raceday. The surface at Hawera however is rated a Dead 6 and should suit all runners.
Race 1 No locally trained runners in the first where LA BELLA FLORA looks like a home run based on what it’s done in its four starts to date. REGAL LION will appreciate the step up on distance and will be hitting the line hard.
Race 2 No locals again contesting Race 2. The Jamie Richards trained trio at the top of the book look to be the hardest to beat although CADEAU could offer some value as it’s trackwork has been very good leading into this.
Race 3 A four pronged attack for the locals here. Two for Debbie Harris, LORD DONOVAN AND TWOMINUTESINHEAVEN with the former looking hard to beat based on its debut effort. SWEET KARMA for John Wheeler and DOUGLAS BLACK for Warren Bolton round out the local contingent. The Stephen Marsh trained BUGATTI looks the one they all have to beat.
Race 4 Only the five runners in this but there is some quality. AND WE DANCED is unbeaten to date and is bound for a racing career in Sydney so should handle this field with ease.
Race 5 We have two locally trained runners lining up in this. The Bryce Revell trained KUSHINDA looks to improve on its two starts to date while the John Wheeler runner SONGSUNGBLU has shown glimpses of promise in the past. SAPPORO was an eye-catching run on debut at Rotorua.
Race 6 This looks the race today most likely to result in a New Plymouth trained horse winning. Bryce Revell has recently taken over the training of hardy galloper GOBUYIT. On his day he can be very hard to beat. Emma Davies prepares ALL THAT JAZZ who is backing up from Trentham on Sunday while the Allan SHARROCK trained RELIABLE MISS is fresh up for the season and will appreciate the track conditions today.
Race 7 Just the one local runner in the last. THE BIG BOSS lines up for John Wheeler and she would need to improve on her recent form. LORD PAINTON at the top of the book looks the hardest to beat.
BEST BET – RACE 4 - AND WE DANCED
NEXT BEST – RACE 1 – LA BELLA FLORA
BEST ROUGHIE – RACE 6 – SHEZ EKSTRA