Racing: Asprey and Elysium look good at Ruakaka

You won't get rich, but Asprey, in Race 3, should be winning at Ruakaka today.

The highly regarded 3-year-old looks extremely well placed to quit maiden ranks over 1600m on a reasonable surface this afternoon. He was beaten when he previously stepped up to 1600m, but that was after a two-month absence and he should be more ready this time after a recent luckless Avondale effort.

Elysium (No7, R1) hasn't had a huge amount of luck since winning three starts back. She has the perfect 1200m draw for Ruakaka and should take stopping. Witz End (No4) narrowly topped her off last start but she meets that horse 2.5kg better here.

Dean and Donna Logan dominate with four of the seven runners in Race 2. To Be Sure (No1) was unlucky when blocked for room on this track last week. He goes up 2kg, but drops back a grade so should still be very competitive. Rocknrolla (No5) has been in great form.

Kidnapped (No4, R4) did extremely well to hang on for a close third in the Whangarei Cup last week after covering a huge amount of extra ground from the end of the back straight. He drops from open company to R85 grade here and goes up just 1kg. He should be very hard to keep out if Jack Wong can keep him close to the inside rail. Radar (No6) may not be finished with winning just yet.

As stated yesterday, Candle In The Wind (No4, R5) should beat stablemate King Zeus (No1) home if there is anything in relative weights. Both have been in marvellous form.

The Logans have a promising mare in Secret Lily (No4, R6). She had only the two raceday starts and should still be improving.

Stablemate Thornbird Lass (No5) overcame plenty of bad luck to finally break through for her maiden win at Tauranga last start. With that behind her she can go on with it.

At Riccarton, Scapolo (No1, R6) will be extremely difficult to keep out with the 2kg claim posted by Samantha Wynne. He's classy, races well when fresh and the only thing not to like is the $1.70 the TAB is offering on fixed odds. Take the short odds.

Taurus (No5, R8) each way in the Winter Cup looks the way to go. He has not had things go his way in his last two runs and this race sets up perfectly for him. Mighty Matt (No9) might need a touch of luck from his very wide gate, but if he gets it he can be right in this finish. He was axed at the start at New Plymouth last start.

If you're looking for a get-out bet you could do worse than The Bouncer (No5, R10) at Riccarton. Palemo is the classy runner in the $30,000 Koral Steeplechase at Riccarton today, but Central Districts jockey Mathew Gillies is conscious of the track possibly tripping up the Waikato and Hawke's Bay Steeples winner, who failed to fire at Riccarton last year.

"He doesn't quicken up like he does on the better tracks, so he might be struggling a little bit to get through that ground when he comes through the last time."

additional reporting ODT