NZ - Te Aroha - Race 5

Thoroughbred

13 Runners

Maiden

Turf

SOFT 5

14.0K

VIEW

R10

Verdict

ARGO (2) has had 3 runs back from a spell at Ellerslie in far stronger fields than what he meets here. The extra furlong is the key here, and in an easier field, he is the one to beat for us. BORN TO BE ROYAL (10) was very disappointing fresh up at Taupo in the middle of September, where she probably was not ready for a testing soft track. She has been given a further 2 trials since then, and is in the right race to pay back her supporters who had sent her out as a hot favourite when resuming. Follow your money. NIGHT WOLF (1) is heading the right way with his form and followed up a fourth-place finish at Matamata with a bold effort for second at Avondale last time out. Hard to beat in this. DA DA WING (3) tried hard but peaked on his effort late when finishing fourth on debut at Pukekohe 4 weeks ago. A wide gate is no help, but he is still worth including in all combos. WHISTLER (9) was doing his best work late on debut at Tauranga, and should be running on late here as well.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
2	Most recently 6th of 11 at Ellerslie on November 4 over 6f, slow going 6 len behind Golden Wings carrying 126lbs at $9.20. Before that 4th of 14 at Ellerslie on October 18 over 6f, 3 len behind Miss Fladgate carrying 123lbs at $8.60. Hard to beat on his best form. 1st Pick 2 Argo Jockey: Sam Mcnab Trainer: Tony Pike J: Sam Mcnab T: Tony Pike	86	-	-	-	29%	5/2
Analysis Most recently 6th of 11 at Ellerslie on November 4 over 6f, slow going 6 len behind Golden Wings carrying 126lbs at $9.20. Before that 4th of 14 at Ellerslie on October 18 over 6f, 3 len behind Miss Fladgate carrying 123lbs at $8.60. Hard to beat on his best form.
10	Dual acceptor. Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign raced behind the speed prior to fading second last of 9 at Taupo on September 17 over 6 ½f, slow going 7 len behind Oratia Beauty with 122lbs at $2.60. First up last campaign 2nd in a small field at Matamata on January 22 over 6f, slow going 4.5 len behind In Haste with 122lbs at $2.80. Runner-up in an Avondale trial over 5f on November 14. Everything points to a positive return. 2nd Pick 10 Born To Be Royal Jockey: Craig Grylls Trainer: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson J: Craig Grylls T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson	86	-	-	-	27%	11/4
Analysis Dual acceptor. Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign raced behind the speed prior to fading second last of 9 at Taupo on September 17 over 6 ½f, slow going 7 len behind Oratia Beauty with 122lbs at $2.60. First up last campaign 2nd in a small field at Matamata on January 22 over 6f, slow going 4.5 len behind In Haste with 122lbs at $2.80. Runner-up in an Avondale trial over 5f on November 14. Everything points to a positive return.
1	Third-up today. First-up 4th of 9 at Matamata on October 17 over 6f, on a wet track, 2.75 len behind Halo's Fire with 127lbs at $17.70. Second run from a spell raced on the pace when 2nd of 15 at Avondale on November 6 over 7f, slow going 1.75 len behind Road To Paris with 126lbs at $15.80. Fitter now and making headway. The maiden win looks imminent. 3rd Pick 1 Night Wolf Jockey: Matt Cartwright Trainer: Kylie Hoskin J: Matt Cartwright T: Kylie Hoskin	82	-	-	-	20%	4/1
Analysis Third-up today. First-up 4th of 9 at Matamata on October 17 over 6f, on a wet track, 2.75 len behind Halo's Fire with 127lbs at $17.70. Second run from a spell raced on the pace when 2nd of 15 at Avondale on November 6 over 7f, slow going 1.75 len behind Road To Paris with 126lbs at $15.80. Fitter now and making headway. The maiden win looks imminent.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Trifecta

A wager picking the first, second and third horses in the exact order. A trifecta box means paying more to ensure the horses can finish in any order in the top three spots.

Also Eligible

A horse that is entered but does not draw into the body of the field due to too many entries, and thus is not permitted to start unless there are enough scratches to shrink the field size.

Lasix

A medication for the treatment of bleeding in horses that is legal in North America, but not all worldwide jurisdictions.