NZ - Trentham - Race 8

Thoroughbred

16 Runners

10.4f

Benchmark

Turf

SOFT 5

23.9K

VIEW

Verdict

HEPHAESTUS (2) is a very promising gelding who shed the maiden tag in style last start, powering away to score by more than 4 lengths over 1 5/16m at Otaki 3 weeks ago. He still has some more maturing to do, but he can take the next step at this level immediately. UNUSUAL INVADER (7) has been competitive in all of her 4 starts to date, most recently closing well for fourth over 1m at this track. The step up in distance looks ideal, and she shapes as the main threat to the top pick. GOSSIP (8) hit the line strongly to finish second over 1m at Otaki last time out, following on from an impressive maiden winner there before that. With that form, she rates among the leading contenders here as well. TRUST ALONE (10) resumed with a powerful late surge to grab second over this trip at Waipukurau. She cops a wide gate, but if the gaps come at the right time, she can have the last say. Each way value. TAUPO DANCER (4) has trialled since his last start second nearly a month ago. Go again.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
2	Form hard to fault. Last start favourite, won by 4.5 len at Otaki February 8 over 1 5/16m in soft going defeating Golden Lining carrying 129lbs at $2.20. The run before that came home strongly from last on the turn, 3rd of 8 at Pukekohe on January 18 over 1m, on a slow track, 3 len behind Pure Bars with 129lbs at $5.30. Sure to go close. 1st Pick 2 Hephaestus Jockey: George Rooke Trainer: Roger James & Robert Wellwood J: George Rooke T: Roger James & Robert Wellwood	82	-	-	-	16%	11/2
Analysis Form hard to fault. Last start favourite, won by 4.5 len at Otaki February 8 over 1 5/16m in soft going defeating Golden Lining carrying 129lbs at $2.20. The run before that came home strongly from last on the turn, 3rd of 8 at Pukekohe on January 18 over 1m, on a slow track, 3 len behind Pure Bars with 129lbs at $5.30. Sure to go close.
7	Recent form sound. Comes off a 29 day let-up. Most recently 4th of 11 at this track on January 31 over 1m, slow going 1.4 len behind Hoorah Henry with 125lbs at $3.20. The run before that took up a position near the tail 2nd of 13 at this track on January 3 over 1m, slow going 0.8 len behind Bradley with 126lbs at $6.20. Can improve on the latest effort and is well-placed to take this out. 2nd Pick 7 Unusual Invader Jockey: Matthew Cameron Trainer: Fraser Auret J: Matthew Cameron T: Fraser Auret	116	-	-	-	25%	3/1
Analysis Recent form sound. Comes off a 29 day let-up. Most recently 4th of 11 at this track on January 31 over 1m, slow going 1.4 len behind Hoorah Henry with 125lbs at $3.20. The run before that took up a position near the tail 2nd of 13 at this track on January 3 over 1m, slow going 0.8 len behind Bradley with 126lbs at $6.20. Can improve on the latest effort and is well-placed to take this out.
8	Racing well recently. Last start 2nd of 11 at Otaki on February 8 over 1m, on a slow track, 0.4 len behind Tivaci's Affair with 125lbs at $4.10. Before that favourite, ran on from midfield and won by 1.5 len at Otaki January 9 over 1m defeating Mighty Macca with 125lbs at $2.40. Tough to beat. 3rd Pick 8 Gossip Jockey: Samantha Collett Trainer: Johno Benner J: Samantha Collett T: Johno Benner	118	-	-	-	20%	4/1
Analysis Racing well recently. Last start 2nd of 11 at Otaki on February 8 over 1m, on a slow track, 0.4 len behind Tivaci's Affair with 125lbs at $4.10. Before that favourite, ran on from midfield and won by 1.5 len at Otaki January 9 over 1m defeating Mighty Macca with 125lbs at $2.40. Tough to beat.

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Horse Racing Basic Terms

Minus Pool

A pari-mutuel pool – typically a show pool - where one horse is so heavily bet that after deductions there is not enough money left to cover the prescribed minimum on each bet.

Bobble/Stumble

A slip or a duck from a horse trying to leave the starting gates, often caused by the surface giving way under the feet. This can range from a mild misstep to a stumble down to their knees.

Exacta

A bet selecting the first and second horses in a race in the correct order. An exacta box refers to paying a little more to ensure they can finish in either order.