OAMARU HRC, Saturday, December 7
Race 1: PAT’S FIRST SUN (4), 2600m std: “He’s balloted at Oamaru so will go to Methven.”
Race 8: READY FOR TAKEOFF (13, Ken Barron), mob. 2000m: “I was going to give him another trial but its penalty-free for the invited drivers, so he may as well go there. He trialled good on Monday but he’ll need a bit of luck from the draw.”
Race 10: SAGE CREEK (5, Blair Orange), 2000m std: “He went ok at the trials on Monday. He’s up in grade since he last raced in August but its not a strong C1, so could be a place chance over 2000m.”
METHVEN TC, Sunday, December 8
Race 1: PAT’S FIRST SUN (14), 2400m std: “A syndicate horse who got a bit of a check turning for home at the trials on Monday and broke. He was third earlier at the Rangiora trials so hopefully he’ll do things right.”
Race 5: IS THIS LOVE (13, Kimberly Butt), mob. 1609m: “She wasn’t far away from a good draw on the grass at Motukarara two starts ago. Looking for luck from the draw over a mile there.”
Race 6: TUXEDO MAX (11), 2400m std: “Didn’t step at the trials on Monday so he went round again and was better at the Ashburton workouts on Tuesday but unlikely to get a run (E3).”
Race 9: MASTER LAVROS (11), mob. 1609m: “Trialled good behind the gate on Monday. Should actually good a good run through from there and be hard to beat again.”
Outside drives
Race 4: STRATA STAR (6), mob. 1609m: “She trialled up good for Regan on Monday. Should be competitive in the mares’ series.”
Race 7: CHOISE ACHIEVER (8), mob. 1609m: “Its a bit of a drop down from the NZ Cup, so you’d think he’d be a show in that.”
Race 10: BAILEYS DESIRE (9), mob. 2300m: “Has won on the grass before but looking for luck from the wide draw.”