Te Rapa Race 1
5 Pacheco
Very open 0-1 win hurdle to start the card at Te Rapa. Pacheco looks the top pick in the race for mine, coming into this off the back of a strong maiden hurdle victory over key race rival, Mont Ventoux. Pacheco has since performed well on the flat in R75 company to keep him ticking over for this and should have him primed to run well on Saturday.
Te Rapa Race 2
7 Timeless
Looks to have found some form in her last couple runs on the Heavy going, without having much luck. The 4kg claim of Joe Nishizuka should aid her chances again in what looks a moderate maiden field.
Te Rapa Race 3
5 Afterallthistime
**TIP OF THE DAY**
Very happy to play Afterallthistime to win at the price over others in the market. He was strongly backed two starts back at Hawera, and now comes into this race off the back of a nice maintenance run on the synthetic last start. He showed that the Heavy10 was no concern at the Grand National carnival in August last year, expecting him to be very competitive in this.
Te Rapa Race 4
2 Wewillrock
Class galloper of the field, who looks very hard to toss with the 3kg claim of in-form apprentice, Triston Moodley. Expect him to lead, or settle close to the speed, in this small field from the inside gate. While Caitlyns Wish was able to topple Wewillrock last start, the considerable weight swing in Wewillrock's favour should see him prevail here.
Te Rapa Race 5
3 Cornelia
Ran on well for second at Tauranga, on a day where it was very favourable to be leading and hugging the fence. McNab now takes the steer on Saturday, where she maps to settle just off the speed from the middle draw.
Te Rapa Race 6
1 Turn The Ace
Clung on to win last start over main race rival, Freeze Frame. He maps to lead and dictate again as he did last start when winning over this course/distance. Moodley booked to ride, should be hard to beat again with 58.5kg on his back after the claim.
Te Rapa Race 7
4 Electric Time
Last start 2nd rated strongly heading into what looks a very competitive R75 contest on Saturday. The 3kg claim of Jessica Allen will see Electric Time get into this race with only 54kg on her back, which should see her put up another strong performance here.
Te Rapa Race 8
7 Hit The Switch
Big fan of the way Hit The Switch closed off after being hindered at the 300m mark last start, where he also managed to record the fastest closing 200m of the race. Now 3rd up, he should be further improved for this assignment and the 4kg claim of Joe Nishizuka will only aid his chances. Great 1×3 play in what looks a very wide-open race.
Te Rapa Race 9
7 Amazing Grace
Finished off stoutly in the inferior ground last start, whilst also stepping up from 1400m to 2100m last start. Now 3rd up and up over 2200m, she looks well placed to run another solid race here with Matthew Cameron taking the steer.
Te Rapa Race 10
11 Sassy Lass
Sassy Lass looks well placed to go on with it after running away from her rivals in the trying conditions at Te Aroha. Expecting it will be survival of the fittest come Race 10 and this filly will be rock hard fit coming into this only 9 days between runs.
