Racing: Locals set for big day at Ruakaka

Hasselhoof could be one of several winners for the Logan/Gibbs stable, which could notch a quadrella in the first four races at Ruakaka today. Picture / John Stone

Little study needed for today’s northern meeting; just open you wallet to back the Logan/Gibbs runners.

There is a popular line in the past couple of seasons: "Class is permanent".

Yes, and it's also capable of producing remarkable efforts in races where that at times seems impossible, which is a slightly different factor.

Glamour galloper Hasselhoof is an example at Ruakaka today. He can win at 1200m when logic - not even closely related to championship status - tells us he shouldn't be in contention.

The $2.60 the TAB yesterday had on the fixed odds is more than a touch of the shorts given Hasselhoof has yet to race at less than 1400m. However, we can do little about that.

It's well established that stayers can run big races fresh from a break, generally at 1400m, but it's not unknown at 1200m.

Hasselhoof has an added advantage. The stayers talked about as running huge fresh up generally run on strongly from the back if the pace has been solid.

Hasselhoof is more brilliant than that - he tends to be fierce when fresh. He also appears to dislike being restrained, or he did last preparation when almost certainly more green in the brain department than now.

Regardless, he is likely to force his way forward for jockey Matt Cameron and should be in the first five or six approaching the home bend. When he gets to the front in the home straight he is relentless and is almost impossible to pass.

However, this time he will have to get past Ryan Mark and probably Stolen Dance and hold out the likes of his stablemate Valley Girl, who could be a late charger.

Fascinating race. Should you take the $2.60? Unqestionably it's unders, compared with his chances and the multiple options are probably the way to go, but winners are winners and, as they say, class is ...

Every reason to believe the local Logan/Gibbs stable will clean up again. Last recent meeting here they won three races and the previous meeting it was five winners.

If things go to plan - not that they do at race meetings - the five could be exceeded.

The stable has a great chance in the opener with Zafrenzy (No 2) and Lord And Master (No 3). Zafrenzy was checked turning into the home straight at the last meeting and her fourth was better than it looked.

She comes in well on 51kg with an apprentice allowance and makes a lot of appeal. Forget Lord And Master's beaten run at Te Rapa last start. The track did not suit and he looks a progressive horse. The quinella would not surprise.

Beaufighter (No 2, R2) has drawn badly, but like a few northern courses, Counties, Te Rapa and Te Aroha being examples, the 1600m barrier allows opportunities for wide gates. He finished strongly into a close second here last time and is close to a win. Just needs a touch of luck.

The bet of the day is Mongolian Falcon (No 1, R3) and believe it or not, even at the $1.35 fixed odds available yesterday. The rest of the field are maidens and only two of them have even placed.

Mongolian Falcon raced only against the best 2-year-olds last preparation. He is going to make into a stayer and the 1000m is a touch short for him, but he is fresh and should simply have too much class.

Rocknrolla (No 3, R4) and In Flight (No 1) give Logan/Gibbs a great chance of winning the first four, if the previous three have got home.

Rocknrolla has drawn nicely and is the big improver lately. In Flight covered too much extra ground here last start and yet was just beaten.

A similar effort would get him home here. Travel Wise (No 5) is the value.

I Paco (No 3, R5) won fresh at Te Rapa, despite the bit breaking on the bridle early in the race. He showed plenty of grit in the circumstance. Counting House (No 2) could run a big race fresh. His one win from only a handful of starts came on this track. Segenhoe (No 4) is another chance.

All Roads (No 1, R7) is an improver. He has won his past two since resuming here and, despite the 60kg, he is a huge chance again. Sasanof's Hero (No 2) did well for second here last start and has drawn nicely.