Kaikoura will step into the slightly unknown this afternoon with the inaugural running of a two day meeting. Six races run and won in the space of three hours at the picturesque South Bay Racecourse.
There’s a $25,000 Pick6 on offer across the programme and to help you build a fund up for Monday’s Kaikoura Cup Day, we’ve done the hard work for you.
Race 1 @ 2:59pm
Although it’s never pleasant kicking off a Pick6 with a maiden trot – this one does look a little easier than most others. #3 Anse Vata should be pretty tough to toss here on the exposed form. Didn’t get much luck the other day at Addington and has a complete set of manners to compliment the ability. Another with usually good manners is #4 Shona Mary. The Tony & Ken Barron trained mare is knocking on the door or a success. Expect good things this summer from #13 Zsa Ziva – Ken Ford knows how to win races at the moment and this one should pick one up pretty quickly. #6 Chevron Express the other one worth a wee look.
Race 2 @ 3:34pm
Pretty hard to look past the two horses down the bottom of the book. #9 Run Boy Run was very good on debut at Methven behind the talented James Dean who looks a strong chance of winning the first race on Monday. Perhaps the telling factor might be the choice of Dexter Dunn however. He opts to take the reins behind #8 Baileys Rock for Cran Dalgety. He’s won once from two starts and looks talented enough to make it two from three. #2 Benji Mara will give supporters a great run for their money although his last trial was just Ok.
Race 3 @ 4:09pm
The trickiest of the six races this one with plenty of winning chances in a very even field of pacers. #7 Extreme Guest is probably the best of the bunch, but he doesn’t win them out of turn. A small field will aid his chances as he can be driven quietly and look to unwind late in the piece. #1 Zena Mac might not be the worst from a good barrier draw, although she too doesn’t win often. #8 Vanhalem is always dangerous in these sorts of races and has the added bonus of Dexter Dunn in the bike. Chances also to; #3 Handlebar Hank, #5 Real South & #9 Patrick Bee.
Race 4 @ 4:44pm
Looks like a lead and trail scenario here with #1 The Kaik & #9 Raising Hope appearing set to dominate this one from the top. The Kaik was very good fresh up when running fifth and this is a whole lot easier than what he faced there. An all the way victory is within the realms of possibility. Raising Hope was a very good third at Methven on debut behind the dead-heaters, Beach Skipper and Maninthemirror – that form should stack up pretty well here. Hard to see the winner not coming from one of these two. Maybe #2 Alta Teresa could be a chance.
Race 5 @ 5:19pm
Potentially another lead and trail scenario here too. #2 Benicio comes up with a good drawn fresh up for the All Stars barn and with the aggressive Matt Anderson in the bike they may try to dominate from the front and make everyone else chase them. If they do try and find the front, that will put the talented #1 Hall Of Fame on his back and with race fitness on his side he might be able to slingshot him up the straight. #5 Runaway Star might be the blowout if the right luck falls her way.
Race 6 @ 5:51pm
Starting with a maiden trot is tough, but finishing a Pick6 with this C1 – C2 trot is just plain cruel. You’d want to be taking a few on any exotic tickets you’ve got. #4 Dark Ops might be the strongest hope with a run under the belt. Was beaten a long way last time, but was far from disgraced – look for improvement. Mobile start experts #7 Cuddly Jess & #8 Alvira Hest are both good chances too in their current form. You’ll need to include the Hope trained #11 Ella Abbe and #9 Forgot To Remember might not be the worst with a quiet trip.
Super Selector – By Matt Markham
Race 1: Anse Vata, Shona Mary, Zsa Ziva, Chevron Express
Race 2: Baileys Rock, Run Boy Run, Benji Mara, Maw Of A Woman
Race 3: Extreme Guest, Zena Mac, Vanhalem, Patrick Bee
Race 4: The Kaik, Raising Hope, Alta Teresa, Reaza Grunter
Race 5: Benicio, Hall Of Fame, Runaway Star, Mrs Browns Boys
Race 6: Dark Ops, Cuddly Jess, Alvira Hest, Ella Abbe
Best Bet: Anse Vata (Race 1)
Value: Extreme Guest (Race 3)