WOODVILLE

TRACK: HEAVY 10 / RAIL: OUT 2M / WEATHER: FINE

RACE 1 - MAIDEN HURDLE - 3000m

QUID / CAPTAINS RUN / PRINCE TURBO

QUID, a promising six-year-old hurdler from the Kevin Myers stable presents a strong contender, and a victory for the RIOS gelding appears highly probable. Won on the flat over 2200m at Rotorua in May, then went down narrowly at Trentham over the same trip. Hampered at Whanganui but jumped well running a brave 2nd to OUR DAYMO over 2500m in Wellington. Did finish 2nd to the impressive BILLY BOY last year so hard to go past a horse this promising over the sticks. Regardless, up against a couple of quality jumpers resuming but he should really have the fitness edge.

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The odds seem a bit far fetched for CAPTAINS RUN, who was under a ride on the flat last time, but finished 2nd to the legend WEST COAST in the Great Northern (6400m) in Sept last year. Second to VERRY FLASH in a Hurdles event before taking on the bigger fences, finishing 3rd to WEST COAST in the Koral and Grand National and no doubt has the jumping class. Most importantly, the NOM DU JEU gelding can run along at a clip, but this is more a fitness building exercise 2nd up heading towards some bigger chasing assignments. 3rd in hurdle trial behind TE KAHU last week.

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PRINCE TURBO is another only one run back and aiming for the rich chase events later on, but he can leap well and was hindered over the mile at Otaki resuming. Won the Koral at Riccarton last season, then 2nd to WEST COAST in the Grand National, and 2nd in the Breeders Hurdle at Hawera before a battling 4th in the Great Northern. Did run 2nd to BERRY THE CASH in a Whanganui hurdles a couple of years back, so he can get over the battens well and could be in this if set for a hard run. 3kg claim should be of serious benefit.

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RACE 2 - MAIDEN HURDLE - 3000m

THE REPUBLICAN / HILL OF KINGS / WHO’S SAM

THE REPUBLICAN demonstrated a competitive performance in his hurdle debut at Trentham, finishing third behind SO CALL ME over 2500 metres. This initial experience should provide valuable learning opportunities. The Myers trained jumper by THE BOLD ONE was pretty reasonable on the flat and that Wellington track was so bad, he could improve significantly here. Finished 3rd over 2200m at TE AROHA and PUKEKOHE last winter, then led and stuck on firmly when 3rd over 2060m at Whanganui in May. Went on to win a hurdle trial over 2500m, so well-schooled and more than capable.

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HILL OF KINGS will be well-suited here as a horse that was very fair on the flat, but just lacked some pace. The TIME TEST gelding was better over further and did finish 2nd to ZEEFA ZED in his only jumps run over 3000m here at Woodville last September. No luck the next two back on the flat then spelled until April. The Shaun Phelan team have brought him up slowly with a tidy 4th over 1600m at Matamata and fighting 6th at Pukekohe. Won a 2800m hurdle trial at Cambridge last week and should jump proficiently coming out of this shrewd stable.

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Don't dismiss WHO’S SAM, a seven-year-old SHAMEXPRESS gelding who does look a nice jumper in the making and he can play a role here. Quite poor on the flat, however, was handy in his hurdle debut when 4th over 2500m at Trentham and a rough jump at the 600m cost him. Much better with a brave finish for 2nd behind SO CALL ME returning to Wellington and that should have him in excellent condition. Can give this a nudge with a couple of solid runs under the belt and worth keeping very safe.

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HAWKES BAY HURDLE

RACE 3 - 3000m

BERRY THE CASH / LORD SPENCER / OBRIGADO

Hard to go past the champion Kiwi hurdler BERRY THE CASH, who has achieved plenty in his career. The JAKKALBERRY 8yo travelled to Australia and finished 4th in Brierly and Grand Annual at WARRNAMBOOL before returning home for a sound 3rd over 1600m at Otaki. Despite the lofty 73kg weight, he is obviously very fit and all class, having won this race last year as well as the Grand National Hurdles, twice, Awapuni and Waikato Hurdles. Won nearly $360,000 and few come along this talented over the sticks. Incredibly hard to hold out here with Portia riding.

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Considering the impressive performance of LORD SPENCER, who secured victory powering up over 3100 metres at Te Aroha last start, it would be reasonable to assume that the JJ Rayner team approaches this event with a sense of optimism. The gelding begun this campaign with a couple of third placings on the flat, but lacked some zip in two jump events at Te Rapa. Stormed home late when the race looked over at his latest, and it appears he has reached peak condition. Won the Great Northern Hurdle last year and could run home well. Nice odds, TOP4 seems reasonable.

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The Myers-trained OBRIGADO is a jumper we've always liked and he is better suited up on the pace rather then chasing them. Battled on for 4th in the Open Steeplechase at Te Aroha last start and he did win there the start prior over 3500m with a nice display of jumping. Finished 2nd to VERRY FLASH over 2500m at Whanganui in May and a solid finish for 4th in the Woodville Cup on the flat. Pretty adaptable type who can run well here, and at these odds could be worth including in multiples. Seems to like it here.

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BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 2100m

JUSTICE / CALL A FRIEND / MUGSHOT

We'll stick by the BELARDO gelding JUSTICE, who hasn't been too bad the last couple, and trainer Dean Wiles did put him over the sticks to sharpen him up. Was going well in May when 4th over 2100m at Waikato, then 3rd behind FORTY EIGHT at Hawera. Improved wide for a top run when 2nd to EL ZORO over 2200m at Te Rapa, and thats the horse we would like to see turn up here. Did win a hurdle race there and ran 2nd at Rotorua last year, so he has some genuine staying ability and can threaten with a big effort.

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CALL A FRIEND will start a short favourite after a strong run over 1700m on the synthetic last start, and the AKEED MOFEED gelding trained by Mike Breslin was running solid races in the Autumn. Fair 4th at Trentham before a strong finish for 2nd over 2000m at New Plymouth, then a 3rd at Trentham with another determined late effort. The next two didn't go to plan, however, well-placed in this event, much fitter as a genuine type, and we expect the gelding to be in the picture once turning for home. Odds a bit short though.

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Scotty McNab will ride the Myers runner MUGSHOT who is one run back from a break, but a strong type who can make his presence felt. Battled well on a very heavy Otaki track over 1600m for 4th resuming, and he did jump like demon last season, defeating FORTY EIGHT and finishing 2nd to MONT VENTOUX at Rotorua. Defeated DICTATION over the fences on this track before a 5th in the Great Northern Hurdle. Certainly a tough horse who has performed well on the flat and will relish conditions. Fresher then most so beware.

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RACE 5 - MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE - 4000m

FORTY EIGHT / NIGHTFALL / MEANDEEL

The FRAC CLUB will be hopeful FORTY EIGHT can bounce back after a couple of average runs when looking very good early in this prep. The Shaun & Hazel Fannin trained EKAAR gelding finished 2nd here at Woodville over 2200m in April, before having plenty in hand winning over 2100m at Hawera in his next. Went jumping, but cracked a hoof and weakened badly at Te Rapa, then failed to respond on the Awapuni synthetic which he obviously didn't like much. Has the potential and only needs to settle early to play his part. Will have his fans but some faith is required. Trust in the astute jumping stable who are flying high with JESKO.

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Willing to give Niall Quinn's NIGHTFALL a shot here and we have been watching this SACRED FALLS gelding closely. Won his maiden over 2040m at Whanganui 12 months back, then risked his jumps and hit the last when 5th in a 2500m hurdle at Trentham in May. Did plenty wrong when 7th at Te Aroha and jumped one fence particularly poorly at Trentham last start when finishing 5th. Needs to calm down and find the ride stride between jumps, then we may see the best jumper emerge. Could shock if thereabouts turning in.

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The DUNDEEL gelding MEANDEEL could be one to watch out for here even though the sire is not noted for producing jumpers. Will have the staying quality though and should be able to get along well on the flat. Won on a Heavy Tauranga track over 2100m last Oct, then 2nd over 2200m at Trentham in November. Battled on for 5th at Te Aroha before running on late in his hurdle debut for 4th. Can only improve into this and make a half decent jumper eventually. One to keep an eye on.

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HAWKES BAY STEEPLECHASE

RACE 6 - 4900m

WEST COAST / MONT VENTOUX / JAKAMA KRYSTAL

The great steeplechaser WEST COAST begins his jumping journey towards a fourth Grand National title and has run on the flat a couple of times to prepare. Won the Great Northern last September after winning the Koral and third GN down at Riccarton. Won the Manawatu Steeplechase before finishing 2nd in this race last year, and Mark Oulaghan looks to have taken a slightly different path to preserve his horse. May find the last bit tough, but all class and will enjoy being back in his element leaping the brush. Can win, although may not have it all his own way.

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MONT VENTOUX has been jumping well and proved very brave when 2nd to BILLY BOY in the Wellington Hurdle (3200m). Finished 2nd to LORD SPENCER in the Great Northern Hurdle last year and jumped brilliantly throughout the season. Gets up over the bigger jumps and possibly slightly more condition over WEST COAST, but certainly some reservations up at this type of trip for the first time. Probably will develop into a top chaser and no doubt knows how to leap them.

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JAKAMA KRYSTAL was impressive winning over 3900m at Te Rapa last start, and the Brosnan's-trained JAKKALBERRY mare recovered from a poor jump to put in big late. The nine-year-old has been around a fair while with 67 starts, but she did win a chase here at Woodville over 4000m last December. Willing to suggest the Matamata based team have her in the best possible condition and she shapes as a serious contender backing up from that impressive performance. Only needs to replicate that last start effort to be in the frame turning for home.

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RACE 7 - MAIDEN HIGHWEIGHT - 2100m

KWANZA / SWEET ADA / TOWROPE

Love the way this Nelson/McDougal trained horse KWANZA got home so well when running 2nd to LEPREKHAN over 2040m at Whanganui last start. Was off the pace before coming on strongly for 3rd there over the mile and the ZED gelding should have trained on nicely. From this stable he may develop into an excellent jumper, but at this stage he does look a very competent winter stayer. Likely to score a sweet trip with Riddell in the saddle and run home powerfully.

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The Fannin's train the ADELAIDE mare SWEET ADA who hasn't been far off them this prep and her trackwork on Tuesday at Awapuni suggests she will run a big race. 4th at Hawera and New Plymouth over staying trips and ran home solidly in both. Settled back and ran on well for 3rd last start over 2100m at Otaki and that run really put the writing on the wall. Definitely a tough type who has progressed on as a good stayer in the making and Shaun may eventually put her over the jumps next season, as still only a fresh-faced four-year-old.

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TOWROPE is a fairly decent galloper at best but couldn't seem to knock one off last season. Finished 3rd at Waverley twice and Woodville, and 2nd at Whanganui, New Plymouth, Otaki and Woodville. Faded out and battled a bit in two runs back but could possibly turn at around at short notice after a hurdle trial to sharpen him up, and that can sometimes turn them on to better focus. The ZACINTO gelding will have his supporters and can run well here, but is 2nd his thing?

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BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1600m

FLYING CELEBRATION / OPAWA SCARLETT / SHAWSHANK

We're been waiting for FLYING CELEBRATION to return and the FLYING ARTIE mare will be hard to beat here. Looked pretty decent as a regional galloper in Australia before Shaun Fannin purchased the horse. Didn't do much in her first prep against strong CD company, but his trackwork has been first rate and the husband and wife training team potentially have her in the right shape now. Fought hard for 4th behind OUTER FOCUS on a very heavy Otaki track, after winning a Foxton trial quite well. Can get the job done here and not looking elsewhere.

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OPAWA SCARLETT trained by Shaun & Hazel Fannin has a pretty poor formline, but has been training the house down and may show up here. The SHOOTING TO WIN mare last won over 1300m way back in May 2024 and only raced two more times that year. Slow and only fair to the line resuming in May, before stopping badly on the bog track down at Trentham. Has probably hardened him up to no end and could be well-suited running at the mile once again.

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SHAWSHANK has been going ok of late and only needs to find that killer punch late in races. The EL ROCA gelding finished off his last prep on a high note, winning over 1340m at Whanganui, leading at the 200m and holding on bravely. Slowly improved this time up, with a last start 4th over 1200m at Otaki. Appears relatively well placed here and can run into the money with a soft trip in transit.

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RACE 9 - MAIDEN HIGHWEIGHT 2100m

EARLY TIMES / WINEWOMENANDSONG / ABANDONMENT

Willing to go wider with a horse like EARLY TIMES from the Bill Thurlow stable and in only his second start the AMERICAN PHAROAH gelding could run a much stronger race. Finished 3rd in a Foxton trial last year, then second in another there over 1200m more recently in late May. Handy on debut over 1600m at Otaki in June, but had a torrid time; steadied off heels at the 950m, then difficulty obtaining clear racing room on entering the straight. Ran on for 5th and considering the circumstances it wasn't a terrible effort. Jumps trial since and will relish the Heavy stuff. Good eachway chance with a fair run.

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WINEWOMENANDSONG is a five-year-old ZED gelding from the Kevin Myers stable who ran 5th on debut at Trentham over 2100m in May. His dam TERROIR (Danehill) wasn't half bad, and her son could develop into a nice jumper eventually. Had one trial over the sticks, a 3rd in one over 1600m at Foxton and and another at Waverley. Gains a 3kg claim with Corey Wiles in the saddle and these conditions at the end of the day will be right up his alley. Seems relatively well grounded and worth an E/W ticket at odds

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The other Myers runner ABANDONMENT has drawn out here, although this may not be an issue by the last. Four reasonable trials prior to debuting over the mile at Trentham in May and he just got too far out of his ground to be effective. Raced a bit keenly and placed on heels near the 50m which didn't help matters. Won a 1200m trial at Foxton before a tidy 4th at Otaki where another slow start cost him any chance. Back up to the mile and that could make all the difference if able to get away ok. Will require a confident ride but likely to be running home strongly.

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BEST BET: FLYING CELEBRATION

NEXT BEST: BERRY THE CASH

BEST VALUE: CAPTAINS RUN

WILDCARD: WINEWOMENANDSONG

MIDWEEK / SUNDAY RACING