Racing: Strong hand at Pukekohe

Shaun Clotworthy. Photo / Supplied

There has been a sense in recent seasons that Shaun Clotworthy has been one of the emerging trainers.

The Byerley Park horseman has a chance to kick 2010-11 off to a flying start with a strong trio of chances at Pukekohe tomorrow.

Butcher's Daughter, The Jungle Boy and Twelve Monkeys provide the Clotworthy stable with winning opportunities on what will be a testing day for horses and connections.

Rain is forecast, but that is unlikely to deter at least The Jungle Boy and Twelve Monkeys.

The track surface at New Plymouth was probably not wet and loose enough when The Jungle Boy finished eighth to Ginella two weeks ago.

At his previous start, he finished a good second to Dan's Best at Te Awamutu and will be well suited to tomorrow's race in loose, wet conditions in Race 7. Twelve Monkeys is in a similar set of circumstances in Race 3.

He was the beaten favourite when only sixth behind Chickilicious the same day at New Plymouth and will greatly appreciate changed conditions this time.

It may pay to forget Butcher's Daughter's beaten run at Te Rapa last week and remember her 4-length runaway victory on this track the start before.

Some of these races will be tough on punters, but one good prospect looks to be Atom Cat in Race 4.

He was yet another victim at New Plymouth, but his defeat came in the Opunake Cup and he is going to find this handicap field a whole lot easier to cope with.

One of the better bets at Ruakaka today could be St Pedro in Race 7.

Horses returning from recent Australian carnivals have pretty good records in their first New Zealand start back.

St Pedro failed in a couple of starts at the Brisbane winter carnival, but will find this R70 contest much easier than the horses he faced in Australia.