Weight relativity will be critical at Te Aroha and New Plymouth today and it makes Igraine look a sensible each-way investment at the Taranaki meeting.
The northern hemisphere-bred mare has been stylish in winning her previous two and looks a fine chance to trouble the favourite Verry Flash.
The differencewill be a 5kg advantage, which late in the afternoon on a track that can crumble late on a wet day, will be critical. Igraine has drawn wide, but that may be an advantage rather than a problem in the second last race. In winning nicely at Te Rapa last start she sat three deep with cover and may come from a similar place this afternoon.
The other feature, the $101,000 Taranaki Challenge is an open race, as you'd expect from a special conditions race of its type. English Gambler (No2, R5) does not have multiple wins like a couple of rivals, but he could not have been more impressive in leaving maidens last time at Tauranga - he sat on the speed and ran away to score by 12 lengths. Back In A Flash (No5) is talented and although beaten at Rotorua (third) last start she was one who could have been affected by conditions that day.
Probably the bet of the day is Ave Maria (No4, R2), also an acceptor for Te Aroha, but scratched from that meeting yesterday. She had little luck at the Riccarton meeting racing against big fields that contained some fairly smart types. She would probably appreciate a fraction more distance than this 1600m, but it's a small field which will play in her favour as a back runner.
Conditions will be testing at Te Aroha. It should not be too much for Perry Mason (No5, R7) in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup. No, there is not the traditional Ellerslie Hill to negotiate this time, but steeplechases at Te Aroha in conditions they face today are invariably tough staying contests.
Perry Mason will have been well prepared by Paul Nelson and Aaron Kuru will do a good job in the saddle as usual. With talent aplenty it should be a great contest and up and comer Our Jackson (No7) looks the danger with Thenamesbond (No2) and The Big Opal (No1) are right in the race, but need to concede weight to the pair already mentioned.
Jochen Rindt (No7, R2) has only to find his best flat form to win his hurdling debut. It was only seven days since he disposed of his flat rivals at Te Rapa, and he should have too much galloping ability for these runners.
