Some great racing expected at Ruakākā Races tomorrow

Leading rider Samantha Collet, seen her riding Bechtolsheimer, will be on Garland in the Mountfield Quarry rating 65 over 1200 metres race at the Ruakākā Races tomorrow. Photo / File

Despite the reduction in distance from last year, the Northpine Waipu Cup at Ruakākā racetrack tomorrow has attracted a quality winter open class field, led by the local Rikki Tikki Tavi and Auckland trained Fire Jet.

Both gallopers finished close behind the classy Hiflyer at the last meeting, with the stewards noting that Rikki Tikki Tavi was hampered and had to be restrained at the 1000 metres mark in that race.

The lower graded runners in Rockabebaby and Vinevale face their first open class test in the race but both look very capable of performing at better levels than their current ratings.

The other locally trained runner, Spider, showed he has returned well after a tour down south and the 1400 metres will suit him better than the sprint journey of his last start.

Following the stewards' report from the last Ruakākā meeting might be a good pointer to winners on Saturday.

In the Marsden Cove and Marine Engineering race on June 16 there were a number of impressive runs and several horses checked.

Two that caught my eye, Alesund and Guillocharm, are both engaged in race three tomorrow.Alesund has finished third at its only two runs and now has had the blinkers added by trainer Chris Gibbs.

Guillocharm, on that last run, looks like it will appreciate the 1600 metres but will need to be prepared to race a little wide given the barrier draw of eleven.

In the Mountfield Quarry Rating 65, over 1200 metres, the interesting runner will be Garland.

To be ridden again by the leading jockey Samantha Collet, who was questioned by the stewards about her riding tactics and apparent lack of vigour in the Marsden Metals Group at the last meeting.

The rider's explanation of being held up behind La Rocetta until the last 100 metres was accepted.

Drawn barrier one, the mare will not doubt be further forward in running than last start but a placing behind the best bet of the day in Marzemino is likely to be the best outcome.

The Per Incanto filly will be ridden by apprentice Tayla Wenn for Peter and Dawn Willams.

The Northpine Timber Beams and Post Rating 75, over 2100 metres, is the best restricted grades' distance field for some time and is dominated by local trainers with half the field entered.

Nine of the field won or were placed at their last start so there is ample exposed form to help guide the punters.

Following the theme of the unlucky runners from the last meeting, Jake The Muss will be hard to beat but Major Tom and Kyrie Eleison were impressive winners last meeting and the Nigel Tiley-trained Switch In Time has won his last three in a row.

This will be an excellent race to end the day's racing, that starts at 11.55am with the Almanzor At Cambridge Stud for 2-year olds.

With Crystaliize scratched, the field is a field of maiden horses with the local Rae Racing Stables dominating with four runners including Keep The Cash and Captain Nova for the Rumble family.

The most experienced runner is Hapi Ella with Chris Johnson on board and I expect him and the Super Easy gelding Lothario to fight out the race given that it is only 900 metres.

With the Waipū village switching their winter theme away from Waipū in Tartan, the club has continued with the tartan theme to commemorate International Tartan Day on July 1.

To encourage the resurrection of the tartan colours from the wardrobe, the club will be providing a ticket into a draw for those wearing tartan in some form.

The lucky prize winner will receive a Camp Waipū Cove accommodation voucher.

NZ Racing Desk also reported:

Owen Patrick will be looking for better luck on his return to Ruakākā this Saturday.
The capable Ocean Park three-year-old was unplaced there last time out, but through no fault of his own.

"He'll run in the Rating 65 (Tanalised Mile), last time there he copped a bad check and we're going to ride him more conservatively this time," trainer Shaune Ritchie said.

Promising stayer prospect Where Are You will also be among the stable representatives in the Northpine Timber Beams and Posts (2100m).

The three-time winner was a good third when resuming last time out at Te Rapa.

"We didn't expect her to run on so strongly over a mile," Ritchie said.

"It may not be as wet as she might like it on Saturday, but she'll be competitive and then we'll push on through the winter."