NZ - Hastings - Race 1

PEARLING CROWN (9) has been given plenty of time to mature, and she won her most recent of many trials earlier this month. She is in good hands, has a top jockey up, and from a suitable gate, she will be ready to rumble on debut. BARNUM (1) recently joined the Chad Ormsby stable who produced him to finish third fresh up on the Cambridge poly track just over 2 weeks ago. He won't have to improve by much to be a winning threat in this. MAFIA WHISPERS (7) has been steadily improving with racing, and was less than 2 lengths from the winner in fourth place at Te Rapa a fortnight ago. That form will hold up nicely in this, and she can take it out. COCO ROYALE (5) whacked away for third on debut in a 6-horse field at Whanganui nearly 3 weeks ago, and she has top 4 claims here as well. MAKAROV (4) makes hi debut from a good gate, and if this trip is not already too short for him, then he is worth including in all combinations.