With the New Zealand Sires Stakes Final for two year olds being run at the harness racing meeting at Addington tonight, we here at Harnesslink thought we would do an in depth preview of the biggest race on the two year old calendar in New Zealand.
New Zealand Sires Stakes Final
1) First Class Arden – Starts: 3 Wins: 0 Secs: 0 Thirds: 0 Life: $2,170
Has shown up at trials and workouts but his raceday performances to date have been below par.
This is not the race to try to turn that form around even from the ace barrier.
Not for us.
2) Mach Time – Starts: 6 Wins: 3 Secs: 0 Thirds: 0 Life: $16,425
Smart little two year old who has landed the perfect draw.
Not up to beating two or three here but will lead early and should get a cosy trip on the back of the favourite Lazarus there after.
Definite trifecta and first four player for us from the draw.
3) Lazarus – Starts: 6 Wins: 5 Secs: 1 Thirds: 0 Life: $178,050
Has looked a star in the making from the first time he stepped on to a track.
Only beaten once in six starts and he was lacking a run on that occasion.
Comes in here off the back of a dominant win last week and he is much better drawn this week.
The horse to beat and a must include in all bets.
4) Max Phactor – Starts: 9 Wins: 1 Secs: 1 Thirds: 3 Life: $18,601
Has run some nice races this season but against grade opposition in the main.
Battled in last weeks Sales Final and this field is tougher again.
Draw is a help but we still struggle to see him in four.
Not for us
5) Salty Robyn – Starts: 6 Wins: 4 Secs: 2 Thirds: 0 Life: $54,967
Very smart two year old who went a slasher first up in New Zealand when not 100% due to a long and exhausting trip from Australia just before that race.
Will strip a lot sharper this time and and you won't be left wondering as he will be put in the race.
Draw makes it harder but is a genuine winning chance and a must include in all bets.
6) Sparkling Delight – Scratched
7) Shandale – Starts: 5 Wins: 1 Secs: 2 Thirds: 2 Life: $43,595
Huge run last week to sit three wide from the 900 metres and still grab second off a 55.6 last half.
Maurice McKendry told us post race last week that Shandale was still very green and he thought there would be a lot of improvement in him off last weeks run.
Definite threat to Lazarus but may need a bit of luck from barrier six to actually win the race
Include in everything.
8) Classie Brigade – Starts: 4 Wins: 0 Secs: 2 Thirds: 0 Life: $10,074
Worst possible draw for this horse who needs a soft run against these to have a chance of running in four.
From out here he is on mission impossible in our view and we can't see him running in four.
Not for us
SECOND LINE
9) Wannabet – Starts: 2 Wins: 0 Secs: 0 Thirds: 1 Life: $3,280
Really smart run at his last start where he was pushed back to near last but got home in 56.6 three and four wide to run fourth.
Again he has drawn to follow out a horse who is going to get crossed early and at best he will be four deep on the rails which makes it very hard.
However great driver in the bike in Blair Orange and he is our smokey for trifecta and first four players
10) Chigago Bull – Starts: 5 Wins: 2 Secs: 1 Thirds: 0 Life: $9,805
Has won a couple of races this season and looked smart doing it but the company was nothing like he is facing here.
Not a horse that can make its own luck and from this draw we find it hard to see him as a first four player.
Not for us
11) Harry Hoo – Starts: 5 Wins: 0 Secs: 2 Thirds: 0 Life: $5,436
A nice two year old who deserves his place here but the draw and the class of the field make this way too hard.
Did run second to Lazarus in a heat but that was off a cosy run on his back and in a small field.
Not for us
12) Motu Premier – Starts: 6 Wins: 1 Secs: 2 Thirds: 3 Life: $46,153
Lovely two year old who has mixed it with the best all season and yet to finish out of the money in six starts.
Not a really high speed horse so needs a solid tempo the whole way to be a major player but liable to get that here with Salty Robyn involved.
Must include for trifecta and first four players.
13) Chase The Dream – Starts: 7 Wins: 5 Secs: 0 Thirds: 1 Life: $118,826
Has had an outstanding two year old season and the only horse to have beaten Lazarus so far.
Last weeks run was his first time out of the money but he had no luck getting room early in the run home resulting in a bit of argy bargy with Classie Brigade and when you are running sub 27 quarters that has an effect.
Still found the line and even from this draw is a major player.
Can do work and still keep going so if there is a war up front then this is the horse to run over them late.
Include in everything
14) Code Black – Scratched
15) Three Ways – Starts: 5 Wins: 0 Secs: 1 Thirds: 1 Life: $9,629
The draw is the killer here for this horse.
Went a couple of slashers recently but those runs were from good draws and from out here he is really tested.
Lost ground from the corner last week after not doing any work so hard to see him playing a part here.
Not for us
SELECTIONS
From the draw Lazarus is the clear top pick but with Salty Robyn sure to keep at him throughout the race, he may be vulnerable to a late swooper.
Chase The Dream and Shandale are the two that we like to make it hard for the favourite along with Salty Robyn.
Motu Premier, Mach Time and Wannabet for trifecta and first four players
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