NZ - Ellerslie - Race 7

Thoroughbred

17 Runners

7.5f

Benchmark

Turf

SOFT 5

31.7K

VIEW

Verdict

HAKUSHU (4) has found it hard to win another race and has been running on too late over 7f in his last couple of starts, including his last run at Tauranga against the pattern that day. The extra ½f can make all the difference this time, and he can have the last say. SWEET SMILE (5) won his maiden fresh at Pukekohe in his first start since returning from Hong Kong, and he then was a game runner-up at Pukekohe last time out after hitting the front early in the run home. He is peaking for this, and he will be hard to beat again. GATE CRASHERS (1) ran some good races without winning earlier in the season, and his recent freshen up would have done him no harm. He was close up in a recent trial, and he will be ready to rumble in this. SACRED COMBATANT (3) caught the eye with a late finish for sixth when fresh at Pukekohe just over a fortnight ago. He cops a tough gate here, but can still run into a top 4 placing. ESPERANZA (10) has improved recently, and she is worth including.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob
4	Form hard to fault. Most recently 3rd of 12 at Tauranga on March 14 over 7f, in the wet, 1.1 len behind Unwritten carrying 130lbs at $6. Before that 4th of 10 at Matamata on February 28 over 7f, slow going 1.5 len behind Imperial Empress carrying 123lbs at $10.20. Has ability and should run well. 1st Pick 4 Hakushu Jockey: Opie Bosson Trainer: Stephen Marsh J: Opie Bosson T: Stephen Marsh	102	-	-	-	19%
Analysis Form hard to fault. Most recently 3rd of 12 at Tauranga on March 14 over 7f, in the wet, 1.1 len behind Unwritten carrying 130lbs at $6. Before that 4th of 10 at Matamata on February 28 over 7f, slow going 1.5 len behind Imperial Empress carrying 123lbs at $10.20. Has ability and should run well.
5	Third-up today. Resuming won by a 0.5 len at Pukekohe February 25 over 6f on a rain affected track defeating Stay Frosty with 129lbs at $5.80. Second-up 2nd of 10 at Pukekohe on March 20 over 6f, 1.0 len behind Vieni Su carrying 130lbs at $4.90. Capable of taking this out. 2nd Pick 5 Sweet Smile Jockey: Masahiro Hashizume Trainer: Jenna Mahoney J: Masahiro Hashizume T: Jenna Mahoney	80	-	-	-	25%
Analysis Third-up today. Resuming won by a 0.5 len at Pukekohe February 25 over 6f on a rain affected track defeating Stay Frosty with 129lbs at $5.80. Second-up 2nd of 10 at Pukekohe on March 20 over 6f, 1.0 len behind Vieni Su carrying 130lbs at $4.90. Capable of taking this out.
1	Is first-up after a break of nine weeks and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last preparation fifth of 12 at Trentham January 31 over 1 5/16m, soft track, 5 len behind Walkinthepark with 126lbs at $3.70. Previously first up, eighth of 15 at this track September 6 over 1m, soft track, 1.3 len behind Texas with 126lbs at $13.30. Looks all set for a positive return. 3rd Pick 1 Gate Crashers Jockey: Joe Doyle Trainer: Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray J: Joe Doyle T: Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray	64	-	-	-	10%
Analysis Is first-up after a break of nine weeks and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last preparation fifth of 12 at Trentham January 31 over 1 5/16m, soft track, 5 len behind Walkinthepark with 126lbs at $3.70. Previously first up, eighth of 15 at this track September 6 over 1m, soft track, 1.3 len behind Texas with 126lbs at $13.30. Looks all set for a positive return.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Synthetic Surface

A racing surface comprised of silica sand and fibers, such as recycled carpet or spandex. The mixture is then sealed with wax.

Claiming Race

A race in which horses are entered for a certain price, or claiming tag, which is also their sales price. An owner can claim any horse entered for the tag before the race begins, and owns them as soon as the gates open.

Exercise Rider

A rider built much like a jockey but is employed for exercising and working out horses in the morning.