NZ - Ellerslie - Race 9

Thoroughbred

21 Runners

6.5f

Benchmark

Turf

SOFT 5

31.3K

VIEW

Verdict

GOLDEN WINGS (7) bolted in when clearing his maiden status here earlier in the month, and then was fourth as a short-priced favourite at Pukekohe a week ago, when starting from a wide gate. He will be hoping for some better luck here from another wide gate here, and should be right in the finish. HARD ROCA (6) has motored home late in his last couple of starts here over 5 ½f, and the step up to 6 ½f should make all the difference. He has been looking for some firmer ground, and with conditions to suit, he is ready to win another race. RISE COMPANIONS (9) let down with a powerful finish to score fresh up at Te Aroha 18 days ago. He has a few tricks and is far from the finished product, but he is very talented and should progress through the grades this season. BELLARISTA (11) was beaten by a head fresh up, and then was runner-up again this time as the favourite last time out. She has Craig Grylls in the saddle this time, and can go one better. AWATERE (3) is worth including.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
7	Racing well recently. Last start crossed from a wide gate to settle just off the pace but gave ground when 4th of 14 at Pukekohe on November 22 over 7f, on a slow track, 1.75 len behind Sista Sugar with 130lbs at $1.80. The run before that favourite, scored a big 4.5 len win at this track November 4 over 6f in soft going defeating Navy Ensign with 129lbs at $1.70. Shapes as a top chance on recent form. 1st Pick 7 Golden Wings Jockey: Non Runner Trainer: Hanna Orting And Sophia Nolan J: Non Runner T: Hanna Orting And Sophia Nolan	125	-	-	-	1%	1000/1
Analysis Racing well recently. Last start crossed from a wide gate to settle just off the pace but gave ground when 4th of 14 at Pukekohe on November 22 over 7f, on a slow track, 1.75 len behind Sista Sugar with 130lbs at $1.80. The run before that favourite, scored a big 4.5 len win at this track November 4 over 6f in soft going defeating Navy Ensign with 129lbs at $1.70. Shapes as a top chance on recent form.
6	Last start 2nd of 12 at this track on November 4 over 5 ½f, slow going 1.3 len behind Miss Fladgate carrying 127lbs at $5.70. The start before that 8th of 14 at this track on September 6 over 5 ½f, on a slow track, 2.5 len behind First Dance carrying 130lbs at $5.90. Likely to feature. 2nd Pick 6 Hard Roca Jockey: Rihaan Goyaram Trainer: Andrew Forsman J: Rihaan Goyaram T: Andrew Forsman	92	-	-	-	12%	15/2
Analysis Last start 2nd of 12 at this track on November 4 over 5 ½f, slow going 1.3 len behind Miss Fladgate carrying 127lbs at $5.70. The start before that 8th of 14 at this track on September 6 over 5 ½f, on a slow track, 2.5 len behind First Dance carrying 130lbs at $5.90. Likely to feature.
9	Second-up. First-up after seven months favourite, won by 2 len at Te Aroha November 11 over 5 ¾f on a soft track defeating Captain Stan carrying 129lbs at $2.80. Previously second-up 5th of 15 at this track on May 7 over 7f, on a slow track, 2.25 len behind Hero Of War carrying 129lbs at $2.10. Leading contender. 3rd Pick 9 Rise Companions Jockey: Masahiro Hashizume Trainer: Simon & Katrina Alexander J: Masahiro Hashizume T: Simon & Katrina Alexander	88	-	-	-	16%	11/2
Analysis Second-up. First-up after seven months favourite, won by 2 len at Te Aroha November 11 over 5 ¾f on a soft track defeating Captain Stan carrying 129lbs at $2.80. Previously second-up 5th of 15 at this track on May 7 over 7f, on a slow track, 2.25 len behind Hero Of War carrying 129lbs at $2.10. Leading contender.

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Horse Racing Basic Terms

Breeder

The owner of a horse’s dam – or mother - at the time a horse is foaled.

Turf Course

A racetrack made of grass.

Yielding

A rain-soaked turf condition often producing a slick or heavy course and slower finish times.