A huge day at Ascot Park today and racing journalist Jonny Turner gives us a race by race insight.
R1 STEWART ISLAND FLIGHTS / TIP TOP ICE CREAM TROT 12.05pm
Love Is Everywhere (8) comes into her debut after trialling very smartly at Rangiora.
With two of her main rivals doing things wrong recently this race looks like a really good opportunity for her.
There is no doubting Don’t Ask’s (3) ability going into this, she has clearly got a big motor but her manners are a query going by her last two starts.
Sheza Gift (1) and Bill (5) are in similar positions and if either of them are able to trot throughout they can win.
Selections: 8-3-1-9. Suggested Bet: Love Is Everywhere (8) Eachway.
R2 NORTHERN TAVERN MOBILE PACE 12.30pm
Fireforfiddle (2) is perfectly poised from barrier 2 in what looks a very even field.
He has been gone big races, largely from tough draws, recently.
Sportscam (7) was good winning his last start and this doesn’t look a step up for him.
Lock It In Eddie (12) had no luck at all in his last start and Calico Hill (5) drops a long way back in class and deserves good respect.
Mighty George (1) also deserves consideration, he was disappointing last time but is drawn to get a sweet run behind Fireforfiddle.
Selections: 2-5-7-1. Suggested Bet: Fireforfiddle (2) win.
R3 NEVILLE CLEAVER FISHING HANDICAP TROT 1.05pm
This is a big and very even line up so if you like one jump right in because there will be plenty of good value here.
Fanny Hill (6) won nicely first up and has trialled well since.
With a key head start on several of her main rivals from the 15m mark she rates on top.
Miss Bamboocha (5) is very consistent and she is in a similar spot from the front line.
Kiwitrix (13) looks one of the best chances among the backmarkers, he is a smart trotter gives away a slight fitness advantage to his rivals.
Get Lucky (12) is very honest and consistent and must be included in multiple bets.
Selections: 6-5-13-12. Suggested Bet: Fanny Hill (6) each way.
R4 SOUTHLAND 9 – CANTERBURY 3 MOBILE PACE 1.40pm
With a key draw advantage of many of his rivals Captain Pins (1) rates on top.
He drops out of a much stronger race and was solid in his second on debut.
His stablemate Magnetic Terror (13) rates next best following his strong last start effort at Winton.
Like Magnetic Terror, Cautious Galleon (14) will need some luck from the second row.
He has been largely luckless in his short career but if that changes he can win.
White Lightning (12) rates next best after his consistent recent efforts.
Selections: 1-13-14-12. Best Best: Captain Pins (1) win.
R5 CADUCEUS CLUB OF SOUTHLAND/ALABAR FILLIES CLASSIC MOB PACE (Gr3) 2.13pm
Anna Love (5) brings experience and exposed form to this race and looks by far the safest option here.
Woodlea Beaver (1) is a hard running filly who looks to have the ability to compete if she settles better than in her last start at Addington.
These two beat home Mary Austin (2) who was disappointing last weekend after a solid debut.
Joyfuldolly (3) looks to have the strongest credentials of the less experienced runners in this field and should be considered in multiple bets.
Selections: 5-1-2-3. Suggested Bet: Anna Love (5) Eachway.
R6 GRINALDI LODGE / STELLA FROST LADYSHIP FINAL (MOB PACE) 2.48pm
The preferential barrier draw for this race sets up a very tricky betting scenario.
Debutante Party (9) and Bettastar (9) looks like two smart fillies but both hard copped horrible draws.
It’s hard to split the pair of them on ability, both have the potential to easily come out and win this with a slice of luck.
Sassy’s VC (6) was smart in her last win, crucially showing gate speed and that could make her very hard to catch.
Boarding Call (7) deserves respect and alongside Hunting Weight (5) who could offer value.
Selections: 8-9-6-7. Suggested Bet: Sassy’s VC Eachway.
R7 PRYDE’S EASIFEED SOUTHERN LIGHTS (HANDICAP TROT) (Gr3) 3.24pm
Dark Horse (7) is in the form of her career and this small field sets up beautifully for here.
She should be able to sit off the pace and zoom home over the top of most here.
Humble Ladd (5) was solid behind Dark Horse at Winton and should relish stepping up to 2700m.
One Apollo (6) is a talented trotter, though sometimes hard to follow but this race is a really good opportunity for him.
Those looking for a fourth selection in First4 and Trifecta bets should consider Cuchulainn (2).
Selections: 7-5-6-2. Suggested Bet: Dark Horse (7) & Humble Ladd (5) Quinella.
R8 NS VETS TOTAL VETCARE FILLIES & MARES MOBILE PACE 3.59pm
This is a very even field it will offer plenty of good eachway value.
Bettor Talk Art (4) is drawn to drawn to be very hard to beat in barrier (4).
Her recent efforts have been very good behind smart fillies.
Suzie Rocks (5) is also drawn well and looks ready to run a big race going by her recent workout win.
Sweet Belle (9) is a very nice filly and could easy come out and win this, she just needs luck from her tricky second row draw.
Ivana Legacy (6) and Katherine (11) rate next best in a very competitive field.
Selections: 4-9-5-11. Best Bet: Bettor Talk Art (4) Eachway.
R9 YALDHURST HOTEL NORTHERN SOUTHLAND CUP (HANDICAP PACE) (Gr3) 4.34pm
What a sensational race this is going to be.
Pembrook Playboy (6) is the rising star of the south and his all-around game makes him top pick.
He has got manners, very high speed and great stamina which means however the race is run he will be very hard to beat.
U May Cullect (8) was scintillating at Winton last week and very good in the Riverton Cup.
He should give the favourite an almighty challenge.
Vintage Cheddar (7) is a classy horse and will relish stepping back up to 2700m.
Robyns Playboy (5) and That Alexander Guy (3) rate next best for those taking multiple bets.
Selections: 6-8-7-5. Suggested Bet: Pembrook Playboy (6) Win.
R10 LUMSDEN 4 SQUARE MOBILE PACE 5.13pm
Memphis Tennessee (12) was very good in his last start at Winton after working hard and looks a big each way threat here.
He is no home run from his draw but he finds himself in a really suitable race.
I’mallaboutthebase (10) could offer some nice value, she drops a long way back in class for this.
Standout (11) is a handy type and has trialled nicely in Canterbury ahead of his first run since January.
Selections: 12-10-11-1 Suggested Bet: Memphis Tennessee (12) Eachway.
R11 AON INSURANCE BROKERS MOBILE PACE 5.41pm
Lynryd Skynryd (5) is positioned to be very hard to catch in this from barrier 5.
His last start effort at Winton was excellent and he should be in front which gives him a big advantage of his chasing rivals.
Quaddie VC (8) has the reputation of a classy horse and looked smart in his debut.
Barrier 8 will be tough for him but he looks to have the quality to overcome it.
Harrison (6) is another horse with a good motor as seen in his monster last start win at Roxburgh.
Tac Mac (11)has trialled smartly and looks ready to run a big race fresh up.
Selections: 5-8-6-11. Best Bet Lynryd Skynryd (5) Eachway.
