Mike Dillon: Yanna Marie worth a wait

Mike Dillon

No good things at Tauranga today, but there may be a bit of value.

The racing pattern might prove to be important.

The good weather has probably made the Tauranga surface a little sticky and we might see the track develop into a swoopers' paradise for at least the second half of the programmes.

Thrace (No5, R1) went a nice race when second at Rotorua last start and although he meets a pretty useful maiden field here he looks a good each-way prospect. The favourite will be Gentullah (No12) and his topline debut second makes him a major player today.

Angelwithattitude (No4, R2) was hampered by a sprint-home scenario when seventh at Ellerslie last start. She got back and made ground nicely and was only 2.2 lengths away from Harry Tait. The racing pattern should be a little different. Pinzee (No2) is smart.

Oriental Lad (No8, R3) is also in the R80 race and looks a chance in both. He hasn't been quite able to get there this preparation but he's not far away.

Johnny D'Cash (No11, R4) had little chance in the leader-dominated race won by Raid at Ellerslie last start. That was only his second race appearance after winning strongly on debut at Dargaville so he's subject to a fair bit of improvement.

He could be value in a race that has quite a few chances in it. Desert Lad (No3) fought strongly to be narrowly beaten at Ellerslie last start and looms large here provided the wide barrier doesn't get in his way.

Justawins (No10, R5) would probably prefer a wetter, loose track than she's going to get, judging on her form of last preparation. But she still rates a big chance.

She got back as usual and was unsuited by the tempo of a race that was won by the leader. She can really storm home and should be working into this finish late.

The last time Fistral Bay (No10, R6) raced at Tauranga he was a good thing beaten, being twice stopped in his tracks in the final 300m. His two starts since have produced fifths and they've been better than they appear on paper.

He could be value in a race that looks extremely even. Casey (No5) has been suggesting she needs further than 1600m and gets it here. Indikator (No6, R7) won't get the track conditions he prefers - loose and wet, or just dead - but he should still prove difficult to beat in the Kiwifruit Cup. It was a terrific effort to finish second in the Cornwall Handicap at Ellerslie and he finished a great third in this race last year which was his first race beyond 1600m.

He looks nicely placed on 53.5kg. El Perez (No1) might go better than he did in the Cornwall.

Golden Silence (No9, R8) needs to win one soon or he'll be labelled a "gunna", but that would be unfair. He hasn't had the heavy, loose wet tracks he prefers and he's not going to get it here either, but his runs have been good and he's a really promising type.

He's worth staying with even if he misses here because he's going to come through eventually.

Mathias (No6) got the win he deserved at Ellerslie last start and there's no reason why he can't continue that good form even though up a grade.

The racing pattern of the first eight races will spell the tip for the Tauranga Classic.

If they're swooping, Yanna Marie (No1, R9) and to a slightly lesser degree O'Ceirin's Angel (No2) will be suited and if the on-pace runners are doing okay then Irish Colleen (No7) is a real hope.

Yanna Marie is one of the most promising types around and against her own sex makes a lot of appeal. If they're coming from the tail of the field, watch out for her. Irish Colleen is stepping up a long way in class, but can still feature.

Heat Haze (No1, R10) looks to have plenty of weight for a mare, but there is only a 3kg scale on this race, so she's not too badly off.

She is one of the more promising types about. So is Secrets (No14). He bolted in at Te Rapa last start.