We’re racing at Wanganui on Saturday, with eight races carded.
The meeting is highlighted by the running of the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders Stakes, with a quality field of mares engaged.
The last meeting here saw leaders dominate many races on the card and I wouldn’t be surprised if those in the first half had a clear advantage again with the rail going out 3m.
Track: Good4 (Possibly Soft5/Soft6 on raceday)
Rail: Out 3m 1200m – 325m, cutaway in straight
Tips for the eight races out of Wanganui below!
I Am Nutz (#2) had few favours last start, where he ran into a brick wall early in the straight.
His maiden win two starts back had plenty of merit, and off that effort he is right in this race.
If Craig Grylls elects to push forward early, I have him mapped to land outside the likely leader Debbi Harri.
He is the horse to beat for mine and a deserving favourite to kick off proceedings at Wanganui.
1 Unit – I Am Nutz (#2)
Pacific Princess (#6) has done everything but win of late. Her last start 6th came in MAAT company over 1400m and looks suited stepping back up to the mile back in maiden company here.
Harry Grace has ridden her a few times and partners her again for this.
I think this is a very winnable race for her. Hard to beat.
3 Units – Pacific Princess (#6)
Vee Vee (#2) was far from disgraced here last start over 2040m, where he looked to just peak on his run after being left in front a long way from home.
Getting back to 1600m looks to suit and he now gets the services of the country’s leading jockey, Craig Grylls.
Expect to see him ridden positively early and give a sight in this.
1 Unit – Vee Vee (#2)
Khafre (#4) went to another level at the end of his last prep. He was last seen winning in comfortably here 10 weeks ago, where he made all in front and left his opposition to it at the top of the straight.
He maps to settle outside the likely leader, Rusty Lane, who I expect will look to kick up from the inside gate and utilise the 3kg apprentice claim.
From there, I think Khafre can dictate this race from outside the leader and prove hard to beat again.
The small concern I have is that he is coming into this fresh, while others have plenty of recent racing under their belt.
Kopua could also be worth a small cover in the race, with the country’s leading jockey now in the saddle.
1 Unit – Khafre (#4)
Bellezor (#9) is first-up, having last been seen running last back in January.
Prior to the poor effort last start, she had been in career best form in what would be stronger fields than what she meets here.
She’ll likely get back from the wide draw, off what looks to be a strong tempo engaged in this race, which should aid her in finishing off over the top.
Happy to be with her on an each way basis.
1 Unit – Bellezor (#9)
Cooper (#1) has been running well without winning of late.
The key to his chances is finding the front, as he has won his two career starts when finding the front and going along at a genuine tempo.
The blinkers being applied for this is positive, given he has only had them on once in his career and he produced his career peak that day.
While there looks to be many in this race who want to be up on the early speed, I’m hoping Kelly Myers is positive and looks for the front despite the early pressure.
1 Unit – Cooper (#1)
Our Jumala (#1) has been in a purple patch of form time in, which saw her winning in Gr.3 company last start.
She may only be further suited stepping up in distance to the 2050m here and with Craig Grylls riding from a favourable gate, she should get every opportunity to continue on her winning ways.
She gets in well under WFA conditions and I expect her to be hard to beat again.
2 Units – Our Jumala (#1)
Uncle Arch (#8) ran a good race for 2nd last start behind Sunset Boulevard.
Uncle Arch maps to be just behind the leaders from his handy draw, where it looks as though Duncan Creek may be the only horse looking to find the front in this.
From there, it will likely only be a moderate tempo, which will play right into Uncle Arch’s hands if he is tracking the leader throughout.
I think he can turn the tables on Sunset Boulevard and find winning form in this.
1 Unit – Uncle Arch (#8)