NZ - Taupo - Race 1

Thoroughbred

16 Runners

8.9f

Maiden

Turf

SOFT 5

10.8K

VIEW

Verdict

HEPHAESTUS (3) has taken time to mature and ended his initial prep with a third at Ellerslie over 1 ?m. He resumes over 1 ?m, and even from a wide gate, he will be hard to beat. UNODOSTRESCUATRO (2) has raced his way into good form and steps up beyond a mile for the first time here. Stick with him on an each-way basis. MARCUS ATTILLUS (9) ran on late for sixth over 7f when making an encouraging debut at Te Aroha 3 weeks ago. He can make his mark over a longer trip, and he can figure in the top 3 this time. FERDIE'S SECRET (1) just battled last time out at New Plymouth and might have been feeling the firm ground. He has been freshened up and is worth another chance.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob
3	Racing first-up today. Finished off last campaign third of 10 at Ellerslie Mdn-Hwgt May 25 over 1m, soft track, 4.5 len behind Thebudgiesmugla with 152lbs at $5.40. On debut fifth of 11 at Pukekohe February 23 over 1m, 2.25 len behind Deadly Desire with 127lbs at $3. Everything points to a bright return. 1st Pick 3 Hephaestus Jockey: Craig Grylls Trainer: Roger James & Robert Wellwood J: Craig Grylls T: Roger James & Robert Wellwood	92	-	-	-	34%
Analysis Racing first-up today. Finished off last campaign third of 10 at Ellerslie Mdn-Hwgt May 25 over 1m, soft track, 4.5 len behind Thebudgiesmugla with 152lbs at $5.40. On debut fifth of 11 at Pukekohe February 23 over 1m, 2.25 len behind Deadly Desire with 127lbs at $3. Everything points to a bright return.
2	Most recently raced on speed throughout when 3rd of 14 at Pukekohe on December 6 over 1m, on a slow track, 1.5 len behind Dance The Night carrying 127lbs at $9.90. The race before that came home strongly from last on the turn, 3rd of 13 at Arawa Park on November 16 over 7f, on a slow track, 0.6 len behind Burnished with 127lbs at $11.80. Well placed. Racing well and can go on with it. 2nd Pick 2 Unodostrescuatro Jockey: Tayla Mitchell Trainer: Chad Ormsby J: Tayla Mitchell T: Chad Ormsby	82	-	-	-	25%
Analysis Most recently raced on speed throughout when 3rd of 14 at Pukekohe on December 6 over 1m, on a slow track, 1.5 len behind Dance The Night carrying 127lbs at $9.90. The race before that came home strongly from last on the turn, 3rd of 13 at Arawa Park on November 16 over 7f, on a slow track, 0.6 len behind Burnished with 127lbs at $11.80. Well placed. Racing well and can go on with it.
9	At debut, settled back and ran on when 6th of 10 at Te Aroha on December 7 over 7f, 5 len behind Oberon carrying 125lbs at $12.50. Can open his account. 3rd Pick 9 Marcus Attillus Jockey: Samantha Collett Trainer: Chad Ormsby J: Samantha Collett T: Chad Ormsby	69	-	-	-	12%
Analysis At debut, settled back and ran on when 6th of 10 at Te Aroha on December 7 over 7f, 5 len behind Oberon carrying 125lbs at $12.50. Can open his account.

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Horse Racing Basic Terms

Overlay

A horse going off at higher odds than his recent efforts show that he deserves.

Starter Race

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

Bolt

A sudden veering to the inside or outside rail, often caused by the horse spooking or shying from something.