This Saturday's Invercargill Cup at Ascot Park has only drawn a field of ten runners but it is chock full of talent with most of the promising intermediate grade horses in the South Island lining up.
The club must be delighted with the quality field they have drawn and trying to narrow down the winning chances will be a challenge but here is our runner by runner preview of the feature race.
1) Costa Del Magnifico – Starts: 22 Wins: 7 Secs: 9 Thirds: 2 Life: $51,815 (Front)
The find of the season in the south who has put together a string of outstanding performances leading into this race.
Racing style does leave him a bit of a sitting duck, especially in a field of this quality but great manners from a stand and the fact he gets a start from all of his major competitors means he is a must include here.
Huge winning chance with a run to suit.
2) Devil May Care – Starts: 69 Wins: 8 Secs: 8 Thirds: 11 Life: $81,332 (Front)
Another horse that will appreciate the standing start and has been in good touch all season without looking like winning a race.
Last win was over two years ago but continues to pick up place checks on a regular basis.
The depth of the field means he is a first four chance at best but in the right form to run in four.
3) I'M Full Of Excuses – Starts: 16 Wins: 6 Secs: 2 Thirds: 1 Life: $57,946 (10 Metres)
Under rated four year old who continues to pop up in the good races.
An out and out stayer who will love the 3200 metres here and has won six from nine on the track.
Standing start manners are generally good too so he ticks a lot boxes here.
Definite first three chance with run to suit.
4) Brilliant Strike – Starts: 28 Wins: 8 Secs: 4 Thirds: 6 Life: $122,164 (10 Metres)
Getting back to his best form in his last couple but hasn't dominated this grade like a lot of pundits thought he would this year.
Last two runs have been full of merit and 3200 metres will suit down to the ground.
Slight question mark over his standing start manners and he won't want to be slow away here with so many smart beginners involved.
Big winning chance with any kind of luck in the running.
5) Tas Man Bromac – Starts: 16 Wins: 9 Secs: 2 Thirds: 3 Life: $73,738 (10 Metres)
Outstanding record to date, only missing a placing twice in 16 starts.
Another horse who will just love the 3200 metres here and brilliant standing start beginner as his nine wins from ten starts from a stand shows.
Stable is in great form and he looks sure to land in front of most here after they settle which makes him a big player in this race.
Capable of winning this race if things go his way.
6) Titan Banner – Starts: 18 Wins: 8 Secs: 4 Thirds: 1 Life: $54,734 (20 Metres)
Hard to fault his record to date which is as good as anything in the field.
Has won over 3200 metres so distance no worry and standing start manners are generally good.
The 20 metres is a query in our mind as there is not a lot separating several here but an economical run would bring him right into contention.
First three player for us but a couple read better as a winning chance.
7) Pulp Fiction – Starts: 25 Wins: 10 Secs: 1 Thirds: 7 Life: $85,795 (20 Metres)
Another up and coming four year old with an outstanding career record to date.
Placed in only attempt at 3200 metres and very quick and reliable from a standing start so 20 metre handicap not that big a concern as it is for some others.
Dexter Dunn in the bike is worth a length but we still have a flickering doubt about a dour 3200 metres which this race will be, being his best distance.
A couple here may have a toughness edge but the Dexter factor makes him a winning chance here.
8) Cullect A Guinness – Starts: 17 Wins: 8 Secs: 4 Thirds: 2 Life: $59,820 (30 Metres)
Yet another horse in outstanding form this season with seven wins in 2015/2016 season so far.
Out and out stayer who will love the 3200 metres here and has a great standing start record as well even from the unruly.
With his style of racing, the question we ask is can he give most of his competition a start and beat them.
From 30 metres to us he looks vulnerable to a couple who are getting a handy start from him.
Trifecta and first four player for us.
9) Quick As A Trick – Starts: 44 Wins: 10 Secs: 5 Thirds: 5 Life: $124,671 (30 Metres)
The enigma of the field for sure but racing in such good form that he is a genuine winning chance here.
Tends to over race quite badly at times in his races but it doesn't seem to affect him at all.
Has been racing in some high quality fields this season and been very competitive so dangerous to underestimate here.
Will love the 3200 metres but slight query about the standing start looking through his record.
Must have for trifecta and first four takers.
10 Belkmyster – Starts: 58 Wins: 11 Secs: 10 Thirds: 1 Life: $119,060 (50 Metres)
Lovely horse but has been racing off huge marks for a while now and has not been racing up to his usual high standards as a result.
Hard to see him as a major player here when he is spotting most of his rivals a 30 to 40 metre start.
Not for us
SELECTIONS
As we said at the start, this race has drawn a great field and is very hard to call but here goes.
Brilliant Strike takes top spot for us.
His last run was outstanding, the distance is perfect for him and in Blair Orange he has one of the best in the business in the bike.
We think there are three main challengers that could upset Brilliant Strike but find it very hard to separate the three in any order.
* Costa Del Magnifico – In superb touch and off the front mark he has to be a winning chance.
* Tas Man Bromac – Manners and the 3200 metres make him a genuine winning chance.
* Quick As A Trick – Another who will love the 3200 metres and is racing in career best form
To fill out those trifectas and first fours, add in Pulp Ficton, Titan Banner and Collect A Guinness
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