Taupō Race 1
2 Storms Ahead 
Very moderate maiden field and a low confidence betting race where I've landed on Storms Ahead by default. I think the drop back to 1800m is a plus, whilst the booking of Opie Bosson from gate one are also big ticks for his chances.

Taupō Race 2
3 Diamonds For Jen
Far from a high confidence betting race, with many of these coming into this with recent form on Heavy tracks. I landed on Diamonds For Jen, who did run a couple of handy races last preparation without winning. Will need luck from the wide draw, could run a race at odds.

Taupō Race 3
2 Don Pauly
I thought Don Pauly looks much more suited to this race than others at the top of the market who are also first-up. Last season, he produced a career peak figure first-up when 3rd behind Jimmysstar over 1300m at Hastings. Looks to get a very similar setup here, as long as he doesn't get too far back he looks a great each way bet.

Taupō Race 4
3 Super Photon
Unbeaten 3yo who trialled well leading into this first-up assignment. I expect he should land behind the leading pair, which should see him given every opportunity to go on by in the straight. Looks to have plenty of upside moving forward and he can account for this field first-up.

Taupō Race 5
3 Alabama Lass
Tip of The Day
Won her recent trial impressively and maps to find the lead in this small field under Sam Spratt. She was electric on debut last campaign, a similar effort first-up here should see her hard to run down.

Taupō Race 6
2 Trobriand
I've been really impressed by both of his trials leading into this resuming run. He's now been gelded since his last start, and with Opie Bosson riding from the low draw (2) I'm keen to be with him. If he can position just in behind the early speed, he should be well placed to be winning this.

Taupō Race 7
12 Levakia
Not a high confidence betting race, where I've sided with the debutant, Levakia. Her trials have been reasonable, with arguably the best of them being her first when she wasn't on a Heavy surface. With only 54kg and Sam Spratt on her back, I thought she could race handy to the speed and be thereabouts.

Taupō Race 8
12 Amulet
Showed good early speed on debut, where she probably would've won if she ran straight in the home running. Trial win since that was superb. Kennedy rides first-up, should roll forward and prove hard to beat.

Taupō Race 9
2 Lord Weyburn
Lord Weyburn does look to get his opportunity to find winning form in the last of the day at Taupo. Now 3rd up, stepping up in trip and back at the track he produced his career peak figure at when running 2nd to Tanganyika.