Te Rapa Race 1
4 Velvet Blue
Open Jumps: 06:34 pm, 13 Dec 2024
Velvet Blue has trialled well for his debut with his latest trial at Pukekohe being the fastest of three 2yo trials on the day. Michael McNab sticks for his debut and he looks to possess the tactical speed to maintain a forward position going off his trials. Even race, however, he looks the one to beat for mine.

Te Rapa Race 2
1 Damask Rose
Tip of The Day
Damask Rose is a lightly tried filly who brings the premier 2yo & 3yo form into this despite only having three career starts to date. She was brilliant in her first and only run so far as a 3yo behind Alabama Lass and Captured By Love, where she was taking good ground off them late. While she will get back from the wider draw (8), she does have the services of Opie Bosson and I expect her to take plenty of beating in this.

Te Rapa Race 3
7 Spring Queen
Spring Queen has been running to a good level of late, having been beaten 1.3L in a R75 2400m contest last start. Now back in R65 company, she looks awfully hard to beat if she can run up to her last three starts.

Te Rapa Race 4
2 Snazzytavi
Snazzytavi toyed with a Gr.1 Livamol field last start, pulling away for a 3.5L victory here over 2040m. The drop back to 1600m on the fresh side isn't a concern for mine, however, the tricky map and lack of tempo is a concern. If they do walk in front, Warren Kennedy will have the option to slide into the race before turning and ensuring the leaders are well and truly in their sights. Her trial since the Livamol was excellent and I expect her to just be too good in this.

Te Rapa Race 5
6 Yaldi
Yaldi is a 3yo with plenty of upside who has trialled well for his racetrack return here. He gets the services of Michael McNab and maps to get a near perfect run from the low draw (3). They'll no doubt have big 3yo races in mind for him down the track. Looks very hard to beat in what looks a very winnable R65 contest for him.

Te Rapa Race 6
3 Karman Line
Karman Line was far from disgraced in the Counties Bowl behind Luberon at her last start. She'll appreciate stepping up to 1400m here, with all of her better form coming over this trip. She'll likely get back of midfield from the middle draw (5), however, there looks to be a strong early tempo to set this up for those off the speed.

Te Rapa Race 7
8 Sweynesday
Sweynesday was a great run behind Twain last start at Ellerslie, where he looked to get a little bit lost when he hit the lead in the middle of the track, before coming again when he saw Twain to his outside. Over 1200m here, I'd expect him to settle midfield or just behind midfield from the middle draw (8) and be saved for one run at them late.

Te Rapa Race 8
4 Testify Me
Tesify Me stormed home from well back in the Whanganui Cup last start over 2040m. He now steps up to 2400m here fifth-up and will get back again off what looks to be a very genuine tempo. He has proven he can stay all day in the past, having won the St Leger over 2600m earlier this year. If he can blend into the race at the right time without having to sustain a long sprint, he can give this an almighty shake.

Te Rapa Race 9
4 Matane
Matane won very well at Te Aroha last start in what was a very decent R75 field. He stays in the same grade here and the extra 100m should suit going off how he found the line last start. Warren Kennedy rides again from a handy gate (5), no reason why he can't go back-to-back in this.