Te Aroha Race 1
5 Beast Of Burden
Beast Of Burden ran to mark first-up that would suggest he would be hard to beat in a race of this strength despite racing out of his grade as a maiden. He trialled very well on a Heavy10 leading into his resuming run, therefore any downgrade of the track likely wouldn't pose any concerns. He maps to settle behind what looks a very genuine early tempo. I expect he will take some beating in this.
Te Aroha Race 2
12 Li Li
Li Li's two runs this time in have been okay without setting the world on fire. The step up to 2200m looks to be a suitable progression for her going of the way she has closed off this preparation so far. I don't think any rain would hurt her chances, while Matt Cartwright taking the reins is a big tick. Looks hard to beat in a moderate race.
Te Aroha Race 3
11 On The Town
On The Town comes into this maiden contest off the back of running 5-race winner, Lux Libertas, to 0.8L at Te Rapa last start. Prior to that he was unlucky at Taupo in behind another progressive type in Sought After. He looks very hard to beat back in maiden company and with Matt Cartwright taking the steer from the inside gate, he should be very hard to beat. I had him marked around the $2 mark in this, therefore happy to take the $2.70 at publish. Best bet.
Te Aroha Race 4
9 Doingitforthedigs
Doingitforthedigs was unlucky not to win at Hawera last start, where he was surging along the inside late in a blanket finish. They tinkered with his gear prior to his last start which saw significant improvement from start one to two. Now third-up, he's drawn to do no work and follow what looks a genuine speed. While it is a very competitive race for mine, I'm happy to side with him at the price.
Te Aroha Race 5
12 Hankee Alpha
Hankee Alpha strikes a very even field for her debut here. She comes into this off the back of two recent trials, where she found the line well under very little-to-no riding. Stable have been firing with their 3yo fillies of late, can go well again with Hankee Alpha here.
Te Aroha Race 6
13 Honey Badger
Honey Badger performed to a good level as a 2yo through the winter and looked to handle the rain-effected going, which she may get again here. She trialled very well on a Heavy track leading into this resuming run and she gets the services of Matt Cartwright for this. Keen to be with her in what looks a very winnable race.
Te Aroha Race 7
9 Florenza
Florenza is on debut here for the Patsy Riley stable, coming into this off the back of a sole trial win on a Heavy track at Matamata. She showed good early speed in her trial and with Sam Spratt sticking I'd suspect she could well be ridden positively from the wide draw (15) and look to utilise that early speed. Open race, happy to speculate on Florenza at a price.
Te Aroha Race 8
1 Huzzah
Huzzah has been running well of late without threatening in fields that look a touch stronger than what he meets here. He's drawn to follow the likes of Blondie and Per La Vita throughout from the low gate, where he looks to get a great trailing run. Any rain wouldn't hurt his chances, happy to be with him in this.
Te Aroha Race 9
4 Ladylou
Ladylou comes into this off the back of a recent trial win on a Heavy track, where she was given a strong hit-out and found the line well. She had a similar setup first-up last campaign, where she resumed on a Heavy track over 1400m and performed well given she sat up on speed in a genuinely run race. I expect they'll elect to ride her up close to the speed again in this, can give a sight in a very even race.
