Arawa Park Race 1
3 Lanakai
Lanakai hasn't had all favours so far this campaign, although it's safe to say he has been underwhelming on a couple of occasions also. From the wide draw (13), I'd hope they elect to go back given the 1950m start point at Rotorua, and look to allow him to find his feet and settle in the race. If he can blend into the race at the right time without having to sustain a long sprint without cover, he is more than up to beating a maiden field of this calibre.
Arawa Park Race 2
3 Phoebe Buffay
Tip of The Day
Phoebe Buffay ran very well on debut at Pukekohe in what looks to be a good form race going off the subsequent performances of the horses who finished around her that day. She'll likely trail again behind Mr Fortrus and be given every opportunity to go one better in this. Warren Kennedy now taking the reins only helps her chances also. Best bet.
Arawa Park Race 3
6 Cheaha
Cheaha is a 3yo son of Alabama Express on debut from the Wexford yard, a stable that has been in ridiculous form with their 3yo's of late. Cheaha has trialled very well for his debut and has been getting back and finishing off strongly, which is likely the tactics they'll employ from the wide draw (12) here. Going off exposed form and figures, there's nothing in this field to be awfully frightened of for mine. Expecting Cheaha can make his debut a winning one.
Arawa Park Race 4
1 Colonel Warden
Colonel Warden has trialled up very impressively for his racetrack return, having been placed in his sole run as a 2yo at Listed level. From the middle draw (7), I'd expect to see him settle ahead of midfield behind what looks a strong early tempo. Looks hard to beat if he races up to his recent trial.
Arawa Park Race 5
6 Fosse
Fosse ran well on debut at Te Rapa behind Smart Love and ran well above the market's expectations of her that day. She draws well again here and should be able to settle up handy to the speed in this. I didn't think there was a whole lot between her, Miss Understood and Vadanova, therefore I'm more than happy to side with Fosse from a price perspective.
Arawa Park Race 6
7 Amazing Fluke
Amazing Fluke was disappointing last start at Te Rapa last start, although he did lead at a decent clip that day. This maiden field looks weaker than what he has met in his first two starts and Michael McNab now taking the reins only aids his chances. If he jumps cleanly again here, I expect he could end up tagging Just Call Me Jonny in the run and I think he has the ability to run past him with even luck.
Arawa Park Race 7
5 Monday Melody
Monday Melody raced against the very best 3yo's throughout last season. He has trialled up very well for this resuming run and should be forward enough to run a race over 1400m. Craig Grylls rides from a handy draw (5), which shouldn't see him settling too far off the leaders throughout. He's still a colt and they clearly think he's better than a midweek R65 contest.
Arawa Park Race 8
8 The Green Keeper
The Green Keeper was a great effort at Te Rapa last start. He was just behind the speed in what was a strongly run 2400m contest that day and kept on well through the line despite have an interrupted run in the home straight. From the low draw here (3), I thought he mapped to get a nice run just behind what looks to be a genuine tempo. The way he stuck on last start in a strongly run 2400m contest suggests the harder they run this 1950m, the better off he will be.
