Ōtaki Race 1
6 Swiss Belt
Swiss Belt resumes here having last been sighted finishing down the track on the Awapuni Synthetic back in May. Her recent trial suggests she has returned in good order, where she showed good early speed and was collared late in the piece without being asked for an effort. She's drawn a middle gate (6) for her resumption, I expect they'll be positive and look to give a sight over the sprint trip.

Ōtaki Race 2
10 Furiosa
Furiosa is a 3yo Ardrossan filly on debut out of the Matthew Eales yard. She has trialled up very well in each of her two trials, despite not having much galloping room on each occasion. She's drawn a nice low gate (2) for her debut and a forward showing wouldn't surprise.

Ōtaki Race 3
7 Skippers Canyon
Skippers Canyon finished off well in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes, producing the fastest last 200m of the race. He drops back to maiden company here and the middle draw (7) likely sees him settling midfield in running. He's been scratched from a couple of races in the past week, clearly the one to beat if he lines up here.

Ōtaki Race 4
1 Linara
Linara ran well last start behind Ballon d'Or, on a day where those on or near the speed were significantly advantaged. From the handy gate (5), with Kate Hercock in the saddle, I thought Linara could sit right up on speed in this and prove hard to catch. The form out of his last start 2nd has already been franked, with Astoria Brooke (5th) winning impressively since.

Ōtaki Race 5
1 Grahams Pride
Grahams Pride is having his first start here for the Fannin/Schofer camp. His recent trial with the blinkers on was excellent and they stay on for this resuming run. The decision to run him first-up over a mile suggests he is forward and ready to run a race here.

Ōtaki Race 6
2 Titled
Titled has been disappointing in his two runs this time in, however, they have been short of his pet trip. He now steps out over 2100m third-up, where he should be now nearing peak fitness. Ryan Elliot now takes the steer from a low draw (3) and looks to get every chance to find something close to his best.

Ōtaki Race 7
8 Get Funky
Get Funky looks an each way chance in what is a very tricky and open R60 contest to assess on paper. Her first-up run had merit, where she made steady ground from a long way back in a race dominated by those handy to the speed. She now draws the inside gate and Ace Lawson-Carroll's claim will aid her chances.

Ōtaki Race 8
1 Tiny Diamond
Tip of The Day
Tiny Diamond has found a very winnable race. He couldn't have been much better without winning of late, having caught the eye late in his two runs this time in. He now gets a low barrier (2, which could see him settle a touch closer than usual if he was to jump cleanly. Hard to beat if the runs appear for him.