NZ - Te Rapa - Race 6

Thoroughbred

18 Runners

OPEN

Turf

SOFT 5

69.4K

VIEW

Verdict

CAPTURED BY LOVE (1) was well placed and back to her best when scoring an easy win in the Canterbury Breeders' Stakes at Riccarton 5 weeks ago. She has been back to the trials since then and is on target to repeat the dose. SLIPPER ISLAND (6) tried his heart out when running on gamely to finish fourth on an unsuitable heavy track at Riccarton 4 weeks ago. He cops a wide gate here and is strong enough this season to run out 7f at this level. He is ready to put his best hoof forward in this. FORCE OF NATURE (3) is a very progressive gelding who has been very patiently handled as a lightly tried 5-year-old gelding. He was big in condition but still too good when winning by a nose fresh up, and he will be a big threat to the top pick in this. TUXEDO (8) was far from disgraced in a couple of G1 assignments during his spring campaign. He is unbeaten off a freshen up, and can have the last say in this. MERCURIAL (2) peaked on his run fresh up, and will be a quick improver here. Include.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
1	Form hard to fault. Returns from a 35-day let-up. Last start favourite, won by 2 len at Riccarton Park G3 Canterbury Breeders Stakes November 8 over 7f defeating The Radiant One carrying 125lbs at $3.10. The race before that took up a position near the tail 2nd of 14 at Taupo on October 10 over 6 ½f, slow going 2 len behind Churchillian carrying 120lbs at $5.70. In form and looks a top chance again. 1st Pick 1 Captured By Love Jockey: Opie Bosson Trainer: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson J: Opie Bosson T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson	174	-	-	-	16%	11/2
Analysis Form hard to fault. Returns from a 35-day let-up. Last start favourite, won by 2 len at Riccarton Park G3 Canterbury Breeders Stakes November 8 over 7f defeating The Radiant One carrying 125lbs at $3.10. The race before that took up a position near the tail 2nd of 14 at Taupo on October 10 over 6 ½f, slow going 2 len behind Churchillian carrying 120lbs at $5.70. In form and looks a top chance again.
6	Form hard to fault. Last start 4th of 11 at Riccarton Park in the LR Steward's Stakes on November 15 over 6f, in the wet, 2 len behind Inflamed with 120lbs at $7.90. The race before that 4th of 9 at Riccarton Park in the LR Pegasus Hcp on November 8 over 5f, 4 len behind Platinum Attack carrying 130lbs at $10.50. Top chance despite the latest effort. 2nd Pick 6 Slipper Island Jockey: Sam Weatherley Trainer: Tony Pike J: Sam Weatherley T: Tony Pike	64	-	-	-	2%	60/1
Analysis Form hard to fault. Last start 4th of 11 at Riccarton Park in the LR Steward's Stakes on November 15 over 6f, in the wet, 2 len behind Inflamed with 120lbs at $7.90. The race before that 4th of 9 at Riccarton Park in the LR Pegasus Hcp on November 8 over 5f, 4 len behind Platinum Attack carrying 130lbs at $10.50. Top chance despite the latest effort.
3	Second run back. First-up after three months favourite, won by a nose at Pukekohe LR WaikRC Sprint Handicap November 8 over 6f defeating Jaarffi with 117lbs at $4.10. Previously second-up 6th of 8 at this track Hcp on August 9 over 6f, on a wet track, 9 len behind Midnight Scandal with 120lbs at $2.10. Tough to beat on latest and can measure up again. 3rd Pick 3 Force Of Nature Jockey: Craig Grylls Trainer: Andrew Forsman J: Craig Grylls T: Andrew Forsman	108	-	-	-	11%	17/2
Analysis Second run back. First-up after three months favourite, won by a nose at Pukekohe LR WaikRC Sprint Handicap November 8 over 6f defeating Jaarffi with 117lbs at $4.10. Previously second-up 6th of 8 at this track Hcp on August 9 over 6f, on a wet track, 9 len behind Midnight Scandal with 120lbs at $2.10. Tough to beat on latest and can measure up again.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Paddock

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

Superfecta

A wager involving choosing the first, second, third, and fourth horses in one race in the exact order. A superfecta box involves paying more to ensure they can finish in any order in the top four spots.

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.