Racing: Bounding looks likely anchor in Triple Trio

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In any Triple Trio, with a minimum of nine horses, there is going to be at least one first-three placed horse you didn't think could feature.

Which means you have to search wide in each of the three races.

To make that remotely possible, you need to find one horse in the three races that stands out.

At Te Rapa today that probably means Bounding in Race 9, the NRM Sprint.

In the first leg, Race 8, the horses that may have flown under the radar are Confused (No8), who didn't get the best of runs when fifth at Trentham last start. A better guide is his second to Ballybit the week earlier on the same track. Also, Roddick (No11), dropping back from two runs in open company. Three starts back he won on this track, always a good indicator.

The obvious runners are Smartly (No2), Coachline (No5) and Peacefuleasyfeelin (No7).

Bounding (No16) stands out in the middle leg, but outside that any one of seven or eight could fill a place.

One of the considerations here is whether or not to disregard Nashville (No2) and Final Touch (No10) because of their barrier draws 17 and 15.

That would be a sensible choice in the quaddie, where it's win only, but in a 1-2-3 required result that's a big risk.

Xanadu (No12) might be the under-the-radar horse here. She finished second in this race a year ago and has never been out of the 1-2-3 in four fresh-up starts.

The obvious runners are Durham Town (No1), Scapolo (No3), Barbaric (No6), Sacred Star (No9), Viadana (No11) and Diamede (No13). Very tough result for the first three placings. The horses that could be overlooked in the final leg, Race10 are Casino Park (No9), whose form in three races this preparation is excellent despite not having filled a place. He got back over 1200m at Trentham last start and was making good ground late to be just 2.2 lengths from the winner. The step up to 1400m is ideal.

Also, Kidwelly (No14), a classy staying type mare who will quickly need more distance than this 1400m. She did not feature in her first-up 1300m run at Pukekohe, but should be a lot fitter for that run.

The obvious choices are Fiftyshadesofgrey (No6), who was in an awkward spot practically the entire race at Rotorua last start. She is much better placed here. Absolutely Sacred (No3), All's Fair (No5), Giadarni (No10) and a few others in an extremely tough last leg.

Good bets earlier in the day are Killarney Kid (No5, R4) who has been unlucky. Sydney jockey Josh Adams was so sick - he stood down after the race - last start at Pukekohe he all but fell off Killarney Kid in the home straight and the horse still finished fourth.

Spellbinder (No1, R5) is bordering on being questionable value at under the $2 yesterday, but if she climbs back to $2 today she is the probably winner.

Depending on the price, Neena Rock (No13, R6) is a reasonable risk from a wide gate.

The 1600m Te Rapa start allows a long run down the back straight and a chance for a wide horse to be placed in closer to the rail.

Shuka (No1, R7) is the best each-way bet all day. He's drawn well, is working well and is honest as they come.