Te Rapa hosts a nine-race card this Saturday, with the track rated a Soft6 at the time of writing.
While there is no rain expected leading into the day, irrigation is likely due to the jumps races on the card.
Overall, conditions should hold steady between Soft6 and Soft7 through raceday.
Track: Soft6 (likely Soft6-7 come Saturday)
Rail: Out 8.5m
Selections for the nine races out of Te Rapa are below:
I’m keen to be with Catch And Release (#3) here.
The step back to 2800m and the expected firmer footing should suit him, particularly given he looks the likely leader and will make the others do the chasing.
I’ve marked him as favourite, he looks over the odds for mine.
2 Units Win Catch And Release (#3)
English Gambler (#6) was effectively stuck in the mud first-up at Rotorua on the flat after covering plenty of ground.
He looks far better suited returning to the hurdles on firmer ground here.
While Fourty Eight is the horse to beat, English Gambler is worth a small play at the price for mine.
1 Unit Win English Gambler (#6)
O’Sullivan/Scott debutant Kusuda Rush (#2) has impressed in trials leading into this.
He maps to settle just off the pace, tucked in on the fence, and can be saved for one run at them.
At the price, he shapes as a nice each way play for mine in a tricky field of mostly unraced 2yos.
1 Unit Each Way Kusuda Rush (#2)
Nedwin (#7) is a top-class hurdler making his steeplechase debut.
As is often the case with quality hurdlers stepping out over the bigger fences for the first time, Nedwin comes in extremely well at the weights.
As long as he jumps cleanly, he should prove hard to beat.
1 Unit Win Nedwin (#7)
Renovations (#7) is coming off a dominant front-running victory at Whanganui, where she led all the way and kept finding in the straight.
She maps to be handy once again here and if she can replicate that effort, she’ll give another honest account of herself.
Expect her to settle one off and possibly one back, which should see her given every chance here.
1 Unit Win Renovations (#7)
Witz End (#2) was competitive in a strong 1400m event here last start.
Although the step up to 1600m raises some questions, he’s likely to dictate affairs from the front under Michael McNab.
If he can get a couple of cheap furlongs, he looks well placed to bounce back to winning form.
2 Units Win Witz End (#2)
Lovearoadie (#15) had been progressing well this prep before struggling on the holding Heavy Rotorua surface in a Gr.3 WFA contest last start.
Back in R75 grade here and on firmer ground, she looks much better placed.
Expecting her to settle towards the rear from the wide draw and make a late surge down the outer.
1 Unit Each Way Lovearoadie (#15)
Speedy mare Shoes (#8) only gave way late over the final 50m here last start but still was strong enough to the line over 1200m on a Heavy track.
The drop back to 1100m suits her perfectly, and she’s likely to find the front again under Kelly Myers.
If she gets her own way on the lead, she’ll give a big sight.
1 Unit Win Shoes (#8)
Ever Charm (#2) ran well for fourth here last time, where he wasn’t beaten far despite running into a brick wall halfway down the straight.
With a very similar setup this time, I expect he can run another honest race in a very competitive field.
Provided he can avoid being held up late like last start, he looks set to be in the thick of it here.
1 Unit Win Ever Charm (#2)