Hāwera stages an eight-race card this Saturday. Significant showers are forecast and a downgrade well into the Heavy range by raceday looks very likely. Testing conditions could be the order of the day.
Track: Soft6 (likely downgrade into Heavy range)
Rail: True
Selections for each of the eight races below:
Cirque Du Rose (#11) ran an honest race for 4th at Taupo last start despite sitting wide without cover for the latter half of the race. She should be improved for that effort and looks well placed down in the weights here. While the prospect of a heavy track is an unknown, she still looks a leading contender in an open race.
| 11. Cirque Du Rose (1) Scratched: | |||
Circus Trix (#7) wasn’t disgraced first-up in a strong maiden at Ellerslie and should be improved for the run. Bruno Queiroz now takes the reins, which is a positive, but the key question is how she will handle a genuine Heavy surface. If she cops it, she can be very competitive.
| 7. Circus Trix (6) Scratched: | |||
Royal Sovereigns (#6) resumes after being last sighted in Listed 3yo company back in March. Her latest trial on a Heavy track was encouraging, where she hit the line strongly. Drawn to settle off the speed with cover, she can finish over the top of them in a fresh state.
| 6. Royal Sovereigns (4) J: Kavish Chowdhoory 57kg 7140XT: Bill Thurlow and Sam O’Malley |
Dorothy’s Daughter (#13) comes into this off a last-start 2nd over the hurdles, and her recent race fitness and stamina will be an asset if conditions deteriorate. With just 51kg on her back after Elle Sole’s claim, she looks a good each way play at odds.
| 13. Dorothy’s Daughter (2) J: Elle Sole 54kg 33412T: Niall Quinn |
Crouch (#1) was fair second-up, but was excellent when winning fresh on a Heavy track at Otaki. Should the rain arrive in Hawera and the track becomes a Heavy10, his first-up run serves as an ideal guide for this. He stays all day and can out-grind rivals if the conditions are trying.
| 1. Crouch (11) J: Toni Davies 60kg 64X17T: Mike Breslin |
Hi Yo Sass Bomb (#2) was plain first-up but should be improved for the hit-out. Blinkers go back on for this second-up assignment, which is a positive gear change for this mare. Can run a much-improved race under WFA conditions.
| 2. Hi Yo Sass Bomb (2) J: Chris Dell 57kg 300X7T: Kim Reid |
Ghazzah (#1) ran well for 2nd at Ellerslie last start, while his prior form on rain-effected tracks had plenty of merit. In what looks an even field on paper, he looks a very solid each way chance in the race.
| 1. Ghazzah (1) J: Liam Kauri 60.5kg 63252T: Olivia Duffy |
Arksey (#2) took a while to reach the races but delivered well on debut. Liam Kauri’s claim will be crucial come this stage of the day, where the track may be extremely testing. He has upside and can go close again in this company.
| 2. Arksey (9) J: Liam Kauri 59kg 1T: Harvey Wilson |