NZ - Te Rapa - Race 5

Thoroughbred

9 Runners

OPEN

Turf

SOFT 6

23.6K

VIEW

Verdict

LITTLE BIT OF LOVE (2) reminded us of his capabilities and showed plenty of grit when resuming with a narrow win over this course and distance just over 6 weeks ago. He will strip fitter for the run, and he is weighted to win again. SUPER PHOTON (6) overdid it early before fading badly at Ellerslie last start, but he is far better than that performance suggests. He loves it here, and a form reversal is on the cards. Each way value. BRIGHT STRIPES (7) makes his debut for the powerful Walker and Bergerson stable after racing in Melbourne for the Australian arm of her stable. She finds a suitable assignment fresh, and he commands respect, especially if the money comes for him. UDERZO (4) has been out of the winner's circle for some time, but he drops into a race where improvement would not surprise. Each way. IMPREVU (3) was well beaten in G3 company fresh up, and she can improve quickly back in this grade. Include in all top 4 combos.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
2	Second run back. Comes off a 43-day let-up. First-up after nine months came from midfield and won by a 0.1 len at this track April 17 over 7f in heavy going defeating El Viento carrying 122lbs at $9.90. Previously second-up 12th of 16 at this track in the G3 WaikRC Spring Sprint Hcp on December 14 2024 over 7f, 4.5 len behind Kelly Coe carrying 117lbs at $9.50. The one they have to beat. 1st Pick 2 Little Bit Of Love Jockey: Masahiro Hashizume Trainer: Lance O'sullivan & Andrew Scott J: Masahiro Hashizume T: Lance O'sullivan & Andrew Scott	98	-	-	-	19%	9/2
Analysis Second run back. Comes off a 43-day let-up. First-up after nine months came from midfield and won by a 0.1 len at this track April 17 over 7f in heavy going defeating El Viento carrying 122lbs at $9.90. Previously second-up 12th of 16 at this track in the G3 WaikRC Spring Sprint Hcp on December 14 2024 over 7f, 4.5 len behind Kelly Coe carrying 117lbs at $9.50. The one they have to beat.
6	Last start raced behind the speed prior to fading to run last of 11 at Ellerslie on May 16 over 6 ½f, slow going 6 len behind Yaldi with 117lbs at $12.10. Before that 3rd of 8 at this track on May 2 over 6f, slow going 2 len behind Vegas Queen with 119lbs at $7.90. Certainly worth another chance. 2nd Pick 6 Super Photon Jockey: Matt Cartwright Trainer: Stephen Marsh J: Matt Cartwright T: Stephen Marsh	113	-	-	-	16%	11/2
Analysis Last start raced behind the speed prior to fading to run last of 11 at Ellerslie on May 16 over 6 ½f, slow going 6 len behind Yaldi with 117lbs at $12.10. Before that 3rd of 8 at this track on May 2 over 6f, slow going 2 len behind Vegas Queen with 119lbs at $7.90. Certainly worth another chance.
7	Resuming today after a break of six months. Finished off last campaign ninth of 11 at Ballarat Bm74 December 6 over 1m, soft track, 12 len behind Sneaky Sunrise carrying 133lbs at $71. Previously first up, ran last of 10 at Tatura Tat Cup November 22 over 7 ¼f, 9 len behind Black Storm with 134lbs at $16. Expected to prove tough to beat. 3rd Pick 7 Bright Stripes Jockey: Hayley Hassman Trainer: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson J: Hayley Hassman T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson	130	-	-	-	15%	6/1
Analysis Resuming today after a break of six months. Finished off last campaign ninth of 11 at Ballarat Bm74 December 6 over 1m, soft track, 12 len behind Sneaky Sunrise carrying 133lbs at $71. Previously first up, ran last of 10 at Tatura Tat Cup November 22 over 7 ¼f, 9 len behind Black Storm with 134lbs at $16. Expected to prove tough to beat.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Paddock

The area where horses gather before the race to be saddled and paraded for the public.

Main Track Only

A horse entered for main track only (MTO) is one hoping the weather forecast or track conditions will move the race off the turf course and onto the main track. They are scratched the morning of the race if the conditions stay dry.

Dead Heat

Two or more horses finishing so close at the wire, that they were unable to be separated on a photo finish and deemed to have tied.