NZ - Ellerslie - Race 5

Thoroughbred

22 Runners

Maiden

Turf

SOFT 5

17.3K

VIEW

Verdict

THE SPANIARD (6) will give the James/Wellwood stable a strong hand in this race, and his debut effort to finish second by a short-head was full of merit. He had been given plenty of trial practice before that run, and despite copping a wide gate, he is up to winning a maiden at short notice. ZAMBROSIA (12) overcame a wide draw to finish third at Pukekohe last start, and she finished in the same placing there before that. She has a superior gate this time, and she should go close to taking this out. HIT 'N' RUN (10) should have won his penultimate start, and then blew the start at Matamata last time out when finishing fifth. Stick with her here. DENVER (2) resumes from a spell that would have done him the world of good. He was close up in a recent trial and is worth including in all combos. SOLID GOLD (11) will be peaking third up, and she is likely to be well-found in the market. Include.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
6	Was well in the market at debut, ran on from midfield, 2nd of 13 at Te Aroha on March 6 over 1m, on a slow track, 0.3 len behind Ballbeena carrying 128lbs at $4.10. Plenty of upside and is among the leading contenders. 1st Pick 6 The Spaniard Jockey: Matthew Cameron Trainer: Roger James & Robert Wellwood J: Matthew Cameron T: Roger James & Robert Wellwood	112	-	-	-	12%
Analysis Was well in the market at debut, ran on from midfield, 2nd of 13 at Te Aroha on March 6 over 1m, on a slow track, 0.3 len behind Ballbeena carrying 128lbs at $4.10. Plenty of upside and is among the leading contenders.
1	Comes off a 38 day let-up. Most recently did the work up front then tired 7th of 12 at Pukekohe on February 25 over 1m, slow going 5 len behind Flashback with 129lbs at $2.30. The run before that held ground to the line 3rd of 14 at Te Rapa on January 30 over 1m, slow going 0.5 len behind Volunteer with 129lbs at $2.70. Better than that and is one of the major players. 2nd Pick 1 Bak De Ace Jockey: Non Runner Trainer: Roger James & Robert Wellwood J: Non Runner T: Roger James & Robert Wellwood	93	-	-	-	6%	Scratched
Analysis Comes off a 38 day let-up. Most recently did the work up front then tired 7th of 12 at Pukekohe on February 25 over 1m, slow going 5 len behind Flashback with 129lbs at $2.30. The run before that held ground to the line 3rd of 14 at Te Rapa on January 30 over 1m, slow going 0.5 len behind Volunteer with 129lbs at $2.70. Better than that and is one of the major players.
12	Recent form sound. Most recently 3rd of 14 at Pukekohe on March 13 over 1m, slow going 2.75 len behind Florenza with 123lbs at $5.90. The run before that made ground from midfield, 3rd of 12 at Pukekohe on February 25 over 1m, slow going 1.5 len behind Flashback with 126lbs at $8.50. Perfectly placed to get off the mark. 3rd Pick 12 Zambrosia Jockey: Michael Mcnab Trainer: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson J: Michael Mcnab T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson	92	-	-	-	13%
Analysis Recent form sound. Most recently 3rd of 14 at Pukekohe on March 13 over 1m, slow going 2.75 len behind Florenza with 123lbs at $5.90. The run before that made ground from midfield, 3rd of 12 at Pukekohe on February 25 over 1m, slow going 1.5 len behind Flashback with 126lbs at $8.50. Perfectly placed to get off the mark.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Sloppy

A wet racetrack condition, typically with a firm base and water settling on top.

Scratch

A horse is a scratch when injury or other necessity causes it to be withdrawn from the race.

Main Track Only

A horse entered for main track only (MTO) is one hoping the weather forecast or track conditions will move the race off the turf course and onto the main track. They are scratched the morning of the race if the conditions stay dry.