AUCKLAND TC, Friday, December 16
Real Torque, a good each-way chance in the opener at Auckland on Friday night.
Race 1: REAL TORQUE (6, Samantha Ottley), mob. 2200m: “Trialled up very good at Auckland last Saturday so should be in with a good each-way show.”
Race 3: DELIGHTFUL MEMPHIS (1, Blair Orange), mob. 2200m: “Has come through last week’s race really well. We’ll make use of the draw with Spanish Armada the danger again.”
Race 4: THE BUS (8, Samantha Ottley), mob. 1700m: “Going to be hard to beat Spankem, who’s drawn the one. The Bus went to the front in his trial at Auckland on Saturday morning and went very good. It was overcast so no shadows. Would have preferred this race to be a bit later to avoid the shadows issue but hopefully he’ll be ok.”
Race 8: ROCKER BAND (2, Samantha Ottley), mob. 2200m: “If we can run second to Dream About Me it will be like a win for us.”
NZ METRO TC, Friday, December 16
Master Lavros, returns to racing after a 12-month layoff in a mobile 2600m free-for-all on Friday night.
Race 5: RUTHLESS SUCCESS (1, Laura McKay), 2600m std: “She’s very consistent and wasn’t far off winning for Laura last week. A good each-way show again.”
Race 6: KOWHAI WHIZ (SCR) & MASTER LAVROS (7, Mark), mob. 2600m:
“Master Lavros needs to go good to think about going to Auckland. I was happy with him last week at Rangiora but not ecstatic. With another week under his belt hopefully he’ll be near enough and the small field helps.”
Outside drives
Race 4: VINNY GAMBINI (2), mob. 1950m: “He’s a half-brother to Four Needed and For The Ladies of Steve Dolan’s and has trialled up ok so an each-way chance.”
Race 7: RUNAWAY STAR (8), mob. 1609m: “She’s been racing well and a chance again.”
Race 9: IDLE MONKEY (2), mob. 1950m: “He’s racing good and should be a competitive again from the draw in a good field.”
Race 10: CURLIMORE (9), mob. 1950m: “This one for Nigel McGrath’s been in good form too. The outside front row draw makes it tough but he’ll be a chance with the right luck.”