NZ - Tauranga - Race 1

Thoroughbred

11 Runners

10.4f

Maiden

Turf

SOFT 7

10.7K

VIEW

Verdict

LA DANZA (10) was a fast finishing runner-up on debut and then closed off strongly for sixth at Matamata a fortnight ago. She steps up from a mile to 1 5/16m third up, and should be the one to beat. PILE DRIVER (2) needed his last start and will have less time between starts this time. A good draw will help, and a form reversal is expected. Each way value. ASTARTE (9) is having no luck with her barrier draws and cops another tough gate here. She steps up in trip for her peak effort, and is not without top 4 claims in this modest field. FRENCH THINKER (7) has hit the line strongly for third in her last couple of starts, and will be making her middle-distance debut here. Stick with her. TALL TIMBER (6) is bred to relish getting out over more ground, and has a chance to finish a lot closer this time. Include in all combinations.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
10	Having third race start. At debut, 2nd of 9 at Arawa Park on December 5 over 7 ¾f, on a slow track, 1.0 len behind Dragon Blossom carrying 123lbs at $17.70. Last start 6th of 14 at Matamata on December 19 over 1m, slow going 3 len behind Los Santos with 122lbs at $7. Deserves another chance. 1st Pick 10 La Danza Jockey: Sam Weatherley Trainer: Darryn & Briar Weatherley J: Sam Weatherley T: Darryn & Briar Weatherley	171	-	-	-	40%	6/4
Analysis Having third race start. At debut, 2nd of 9 at Arawa Park on December 5 over 7 ¾f, on a slow track, 1.0 len behind Dragon Blossom carrying 123lbs at $17.70. Last start 6th of 14 at Matamata on December 19 over 1m, slow going 3 len behind Los Santos with 122lbs at $7. Deserves another chance.
2	At the latest run 11th of 14 at Matamata on December 19 over 1 ¼m, slow going 10 len behind Bharnstorm carrying 129lbs at $20.40. The run before that did the work up front then tired 5th of 10 at Ellerslie on December 11 over 1m, slow going 4.5 len behind Victorious Warrior with 119lbs at $21.70. Capable of sharp improvement. 2nd Pick 2 Pile Driver Jockey: Samantha Collett Trainer: Peter Lock J: Samantha Collett T: Peter Lock	99	-	-	-	12%	8/1
Analysis At the latest run 11th of 14 at Matamata on December 19 over 1 ¼m, slow going 10 len behind Bharnstorm carrying 129lbs at $20.40. The run before that did the work up front then tired 5th of 10 at Ellerslie on December 11 over 1m, slow going 4.5 len behind Victorious Warrior with 119lbs at $21.70. Capable of sharp improvement.
9	Third-up today. Resuming 11th of 14 at Te Aroha on November 11 over 7f, on a slow track, 6 len behind Ploy carrying 118lbs at $21.40. Second run from a spell second last of 14 at Pukekohe on December 6 over 1m, on a slow track, 6 len behind Dance The Night with 118lbs at $25.90. Racing well. Should be cherry ripe third-up and looks very hard to beat. 3rd Pick 9 Astarte Jockey: Masahiro Hashizume Trainer: Simon & Katrina Alexander J: Masahiro Hashizume T: Simon & Katrina Alexander	95	-	-	-	12%	8/1
Analysis Third-up today. Resuming 11th of 14 at Te Aroha on November 11 over 7f, on a slow track, 6 len behind Ploy carrying 118lbs at $21.40. Second run from a spell second last of 14 at Pukekohe on December 6 over 1m, on a slow track, 6 len behind Dance The Night with 118lbs at $25.90. Racing well. Should be cherry ripe third-up and looks very hard to beat.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Bute

Shortened word for phenylbutazone, the common non-steroidal medication legal at most racetrack.

Breeder

The owner of a horse’s dam – or mother - at the time a horse is foaled.

Show Wager

Betting on a horse to finish in the first three spots, which pays out the same whether they win or run second or third.