Racing: Labels could be the surprise package

The Filly will tackle the feature at Awapuni today. Photo / Trish Dunell

Difficult to nominate a horse that finished ninth at its previous start as close to the bet of the day at Ruakaka, but Labels in Race 2 is a strong chance.

Forget that last-start performance when Labels was caught three wide from an outside barrier and then copped a poor run. The relevant run to take into account was the mare's close fifth - beaten just one length, behind Royal Sceptre on this track two races back.

A repeat of that will take her close today and from the No 2 barrier she will get her chance for that.

The unraced juveniles in Race 1 present a difficult punting proposition. First, there will be little value with only six runners and with only two of them being seen at the barrier trials. Those two Caorunn (No1) and Pierian Spring (No2) might have the edge unless there is an exceptional talent among the rest. Both won at the Te Teko trials and although Caorunn won by the smaller margin, he went the slightly quicker time, even though Pierian Spring was eased fractionally late. Caorunn has drawn the outside gate, but clears the barriers well and rails well. Interesting race.

Dazzling Lady (No11, R3) comes in fresh here, but she showed plenty of ability in her first few runs as a juvenile. She has drawn in handy and has plenty of speed. She might be difficult to pull back if she leads. The barrier draw is against Rule The World (No9), but he has ability and Admiral (No2) and Al Pacino (No1) look dangerous.

Race 4 is a nightmare, but Beacon Of Hope (No4) might be worth attention. His Taupo fourth wasn't bad and he will probably appreciate the better footing.

Vavasour (No5, R5) is a staying mare, but they can often sprint well when fresh. In terms of class she has an edge on some of these, so don't be surprised if she shows that. In Flight (No4) will be favourite and deserves that honour.

The 3-year-old race, the $50,000 Tavistock Northland Breeders, has drawn a remarkable field. No doubt all the guns are there because they need to kick off their spring preparations on a good surface for fear of being flattened by a heavy track. Difficult to judge the fitness, but Marky Mark (No1) is likely to be forward enough and looked the type to be improved between two and three. Great race with Dal Cielo (No2), The Justice League (No8) and Rocanto (No3) all featuring.

The sprint, Race 7, is almost a no-bet race, but Antonio Lombardo (No2) has such a great Ruakaka record (four wins) that he deserves respect.

Guevara (No5) might go better than in the Ellerslie mud last week.

Hasselhoof (No5, R8) is, well, Hasselhoof and the last, Race 9 offers better prospects. Martiniz Special (No2) gets a 3kg claim and that's going to take him close. El Pascado (No1) is a danger.

• Cambridge trainer Murray Neal says The Filly is a different horse heading into today's Group 3 Merial Ancare Metric Mile at Awapuni.

The Ishiguru seven-year-old mare was a shadow of her best form with a below-standard 15th in the Group 1 Makfi Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Hastings last month.

But Neal said there were genuine excuses for her failure that day and with the prospect of a heavy track combined with her featherweight 54kg impost, he expected her to turn that form on its head in today's Marton Jockey Club feature.

"She came into season just prior to the Makfi," Neal said.

A winner of 10 of her 45 starts for earnings of more than $260,000, The Filly won the Group 3 Taranaki Breeders' Stakes (1400m) at Hawera last season and was promoted to third in the Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa last month.

The Filly, who will as usual be ridden by Mark Hills at Awapuni, will head back to Hastings after this weekend to tackle the Group 3 Spring Sprint (1400m) on October 3.

Additional reporting NZ Racing Desk