NZ - Ellerslie - Race 6

Thoroughbred

24 Runners

Benchmark

Turf

SOFT 5

33.2K

VIEW

Verdict

ROAD TO PARIS (11) was doing his best work late when finishing sixth in the Levin Classic at Trentham 4 weeks ago, and he should have won at Otaki before that. If he starts from a wide gate here, then he is the one to beat with a return to a mile. AKSIL (7) was an impressive debut winner, and has since been a beaten favourite in a further 2 starts, but was only a short-head away from winning at Tauranga just over 4 weeks ago. Opie Bosson is a nice jockey upgrade, and he can go one better here. THE EXPONENT (4) has had no luck with his barrier draws this season, and rocketed home for second here a month ago. He will be peaking third up, and from a better gate, he can have the last say this time. HORRIE (8) capped off some good form with an overdue maiden win at Te Aroha 4 weeks ago. He will eventually want more ground than a mile, but he can still figure in the first 4 here. THINK I GOT CHA (9) got the job done with a tough nose win at Whanganui 3 weeks ago. Stick with him.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
11	At the latest run 6th of 14 at Trentham in the G2 Levin Classic on January 3 over 7f, slow going 4 len behind La Dorada with 126lbs at $12.30. The start before that didn't finish the race at Otaki in the G3 Wellington Stakes November 30 over 1m. Major player in this line up. 1st Pick 11 Road To Paris Jockey: George Rooke Trainer: Roger James & Robert Wellwood J: George Rooke T: Roger James & Robert Wellwood	148	-	-	-	20%	4/1
Analysis At the latest run 6th of 14 at Trentham in the G2 Levin Classic on January 3 over 7f, slow going 4 len behind La Dorada with 126lbs at $12.30. The start before that didn't finish the race at Otaki in the G3 Wellington Stakes November 30 over 1m. Major player in this line up.
7	Returns from a 29-day let-up. At the latest run 2nd of 9 at Tauranga on January 2 over 7f, slow going head behind Bonifleur with 127lbs at $1.90. Before that sat behind the speed prior to fading second last of 9 at this track on November 4 over 7f, on a slow track, 4 len behind Affirmative Action with 126lbs at $2.70. Leading contender. 2nd Pick 7 Aksil Jockey: Opie Bosson Trainer: Simon & Katrina Alexander J: Opie Bosson T: Simon & Katrina Alexander	120	-	-	-	16%	11/2
Analysis Returns from a 29-day let-up. At the latest run 2nd of 9 at Tauranga on January 2 over 7f, slow going head behind Bonifleur with 127lbs at $1.90. Before that sat behind the speed prior to fading second last of 9 at this track on November 4 over 7f, on a slow track, 4 len behind Affirmative Action with 126lbs at $2.70. Leading contender.
4	Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up eased back early on 8th of 14 at this track on December 26 over 7f, slow going 3 len behind Mid Ocean with 130lbs at $33.50. Last start settled towards the rear 2nd of 14 at this track on January 1 over 1m, on a slow track, neck behind Up The Anti with 129lbs at $21.90. Winning chance. 3rd Pick 4 The Exponent Jockey: Warren Kennedy Trainer: Stephen Marsh J: Warren Kennedy T: Stephen Marsh	129	-	-	-	14%	13/2
Analysis Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up eased back early on 8th of 14 at this track on December 26 over 7f, slow going 3 len behind Mid Ocean with 130lbs at $33.50. Last start settled towards the rear 2nd of 14 at this track on January 1 over 1m, on a slow track, neck behind Up The Anti with 129lbs at $21.90. Winning chance.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Starter Race

An allowance race restricted to horses who have started for a certain claiming price recently.

Bute

Shortened word for phenylbutazone, the common non-steroidal medication legal at most racetrack.

Apprentice

A new jockey who has not ridden a certain number of winners in a specified time period.