Racing: Shez Sinsational well worth risk

Gaston. Photo / Dean Purcell

You might have to take short odds for the best of them at Te Rapa today.

Taranaki filly Shez Sinsational looks the goods in Race 7, the only disincentive being that occasionally you will find a horse that for whatever reason doesn't seem able to handle the Te Rapa surface.

Shez Sinsational has yet to race there but she's worth the risk. Last week at Hastings it appeared those who took the short odds about her at 1600m might have hit a speed bump when she went up to win and seemed to hit a flat spot. Once Opie Bosson got to work on her the filly put a break on them. She gave every indication of needing 2000m and gets it today and it will be a surprise if anything other than the track can beat her.

It's doubtful they'll be posting any flash odds around Gaston (No8, R2) even though he was beaten favourite at Ellerslie last start. The track was terrible that day and in the closing stages it shortened up his stride at a time when he's normally bounding clear. He'll get conditions to suit today and should be able to resume that stunning progress he was making. Unlike last week, connections decided not to claim on topweight O'Cartier (No1) and the whopping 6.5kg he has to concede Gaston will be difficult to overcome. Don't leave him out of multiples though.

Lady Chaparral (No4, R3) faces a few smart ones today, but she is the improver in the race. She came from last for third when resuming at Te Aroha. Mae Jinx won that race and franked the form with a runaway Hastings win in open company last week. Lady Chaparral has drawn a little wide, but provided she can get a decent run she should finish off nicely. Guessing (No3), Gendarme (No6) and last week's gallant winner New Moon (No9) will all be top chances. It will be a top training effort if New Moon wins because he's backing up his third straight Saturday and two hard races in wet ground.

Magic Briar (No9, R5) doesn't need to do much more to prove she's top class. The wet ground got the better of her at Tauranga last start, but go here on her stunning Ellerslie win the time before. She is two from three at Te Rapa. If Sweet Suitor (No1) can bring the same performance to Te Rapa that saw him win by 7.5 lengths at Ellerslie last time he'll be a danger provided his very wide barrier doesn't get in the way. The field wasn't quite as strong last time, but the way he walked to the line it might not have mattered what had shown up. Captain Kirk (No2) is unbeaten and looks very smart, but he will have to lift again to beat this field.

The Hombre (No7) creates a problem for this race. If he's going to come back to his best this campaign he'd beat them. But even though only narrowly beaten at Hastings last week he clearly was not at his best. To be fair to him it was his first race in five weeks. You can't leave him out of this, but bet around him as well as with him. Justa Kinda Magic (No9) is the value. He is exceptionally smart and will be greatly improved for his first-up run back in March. Atom Cat (No2), with the claim, might be the best each-way hope if he comes up at the $8 the TAB had posted about him yesterday and you can't leave course specialists Firebolt (No3) and Agamemnon (No4) out of multiples. Great race this.

The TAB has brought Dancing Jess (No2, R8) up shorter than anticipated at $5 for the big one, the Travis Stakes. It's difficult to say you wouldn't back her at that, but she's certainly not overs, particularly for a mare that gets back and often strikes traffic problems. Still, if she can get a decent crack at them late she will go close. Difficult to know yet just how good Scarlett Lady (No13) might end up, but she's very smart and has the 3-year-olds' weight advantage. Barinka (No1) is all heart and has to be in multiples.

Bella Rosalia (No5, R9) was back on song with a runaway Awapuni win last start. This field is a lot stronger. This race will tell whether she's smart and will go on with it or is just a tease. The 2400m is probably going to suit Pacific Rose (No8), who was probably upset by the heavy track at Ellerslie last start.

It took a good one in Quickasucan to beat Chaumont at Ellerslie last start and he went under by just a nose. On that effort he should go close in the last. Shandream (No11), Nuits St Georges (No7) and Volkswood (No8) are all good hopes.