Best New Zealand horse racing tips for Ruakaka and Awapuni
RACING in New Zealand kicks off nice and early this Saturday across the Tasman and both the Ruakaka and Awapuni meeting hosts major races.
At the top of the North Island is Ruakaka which is hosting the Tavistock Northland Breeders’ Stakes and it has been one of the big talking points this week.
Promising filly Prom Queen (currently $9 at Sportsbet for the 1000 Guineas) is on the path towards the Riccarton feature, but this is its toughest test to date as it comes up against some quality Tony Pike-trained colts.
The Metric Mile runs at Awapuni where it looks a match-race between Dolcetto and Francaletta. Both runners have superior winning records to their opposition and punters are having a hard time splitting them, but we’ve got one of them clearly on top.
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Ruakaka racing free tips and form
Race 2: Ohceedee ($2.40 at Sportsbet)
The Steven Cole-trained three-year-old fought on gamely behind top three-year-old Felton Road last start and it’s lining up in the Breeders’ Stakes later on the card.
The son of Power challenged well at Te Rapa last start and its form prior included close up finishes behind some of the best two-year-olds in the country.
It’s only a matter of time before it scores its maiden win and this looks the right race for it to do so.
The challenges will come from Mofara and debutante Mongolianconqeuror, but it has the fitness on the board and it should capitalise.
Race 5: Hiflyer ($3 at Topbetta.com.au)
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Hiflyer is one of the most exciting racehorses in New Zealand it returns to the track having not raced since April.
The Peter Lock-trained five-year-old has won five of its 14 starts, which has also included eight six placings. Its most recent win came at Ruakaka where it stumbled out of the barriers and still managed to score the win.
Since then it has won twice and its win at Trentham came over subsequent Winter Cup winner Nashville by 2.5 lengths. Its last start was at Ellerslie where it looked to have the race won at the 200m, but Seventh Up came late to upset the $5 chance.
It’s much better sitting off the pace and coming with a big run, which is what should happen here. The 1200m suits and it has already been heavily backed throughout the week so don’t miss out on the current odds available.
Race 6: Prom Queen ($1.50 at Bet365.com)
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Prom Queen is an absolute speed Queen in New Zealand and we’ll take the short odds on offer.
The three-year-old filly is on track for the 1000 Guineas, but this distance is its forte and we’re expecting it to go forward again and give them something to catch.
It scored by six lengths last start over a similar field, minus the colts, but there was plenty of merit in that run and it could have gone much quicker.
It hasn’t been giving the opposition any chance this campaign, winning its last three by margins of 9.5, 5.3 and six lengths. That’s some feat and running on its home track will only help it here.
This is a harder field with some quality, but you can’t help but fall in love with this speedster.
Awapuni racing tips and form
Race 3: Gobstopper ($3.30 at Bet365.com)
Gobstopper is a well-related son of Tavistock which couldn’t have been more impressive last start.
The in-form Andrew Campbell stable lines up the five-year-old which led last start at Tauherenikau before putting 6.3 lengths on a quality rating 85-graded field.
That was the first time it had shown form on a heavy track after three fruitless stars prior, but it gets similar conditions this Saturday and the slight rise in distance won’t cause any concern.
Its opposition should put pressure on Gobstopper throughout the race because if they don’t, it’ll be another easy victory and punters will rejoice.
Race 7: Dolcetto ($3.60 at Ladbrokes)
It’s not easy to bet against Francaletta which has won five of its six starts, but Dolcetto has done the job for us this campaign and we’re repaying the faith.
The Sylvia Kay-trained five-year-old has called upon its qualities throughout the year in winning its last four starts and they have come over the likes of Longchamp and Manhattan Street.
Its only recent defeat came at the hands of Francaletta at Hastings last year, but it has improved significantly since then and conditions will suit Dolcetto better in the wet.
Francaletta is better suit on top of the ground so the heavy 10 track won’t suit it and we think the value is with Dolcetto at its current odds.