New Zealand racing tips for Otaki and Rotorua, Saturday July 29
WINTER racing in New Zealand is a good time to make some cash and there are two premier meetings to choose from this Saturday.
We have found our best racing tips with form for Otaki and Rotorua which boast good betting cards and feature some talented Winter Cup types which could figure at Riccarton next month.
Punters from both Australia and New Zealand can take advantage of the value prices at Bet365.com, which is one of the first bookmakers to frame markets for New Zealand racing.
Otaki Race 4 – Our Bandit
Our Bandit is the current New Zealand Winter Cup favourite at $6.50 with Sportsbet.com.au and it will get one last preparation run underneath its belt.
The Peter McKenzie-trained four-year-old has won five of its nine career starts and has established itself as one of the rising stars in New Zealand winter racing.
The Irish-bred son of Bushranger has won four of its five starts on rain-affected tracks and three of out four at this distance. The statistics read perfectly and although it hasn’t won in two starts at Otaki, those runs came early in the preparation at an unsuitable distance.
Dr Watson is the main danger, but Our Bandit should establish its class on Saturday.
Otaki Race 6 – Nuclear Fusion
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Nuclear Fusion did the job for us last time to the races and it has matured enough to turn the tables on Veuve Clicquot.
Veuce Clicquot was too good last time these two met, but Nuclear Fusion has since scored an impressive 1.8-length win at Awapuni and it showed plenty of professionalism in doing so.
The Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained two-year-old relished the conditions which will be similar to what it faces on Saturday and it didn’t have all favours when suffering defeat on this track two starts back.
There are some nice types engaged including the Rachael Frost-trained Kate Louise, but Nuclear Fusion has the form on the board and looks a nice type in the making.
Otaki Race 7 – Sensible Princess
Sensible Princess has turned a corner this preparation by winning its last two starts in effortless fashion.
The four-year-old mare scored a 2.3-length win in mid-June before repeating the dose at Otaki last start with a 2.5-length win over the talented Andarta.
That win signalled its ability during the winter months and there’s nothing to suggest as to why it couldn’t win again. It stays at the same weight, the wide draw won’t be an issue as they’ll be coming wide and Lisa Allpress sticks with it.
The daughter of Street Sense has never run on anything but a heavy track so conditions will be ideal and it’s already a multiple winner on this track.
The main dangers will come from Redefine and Perfect Harmonee, but with some luck on its side Sensible Princess should be making this a hat trick of wins.
Punters should expect to get around $3 with Bet365.com.
Rotorua Race 4 – Liquid Inspiration
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Unbeaten five-year-old mare Liquid Inspiration is seeking its third win from as many starts in the Maketu Gentlemans Club Handicap on Saturday.
The Wayne Hillis-trained runner took its time getting to the races, but that patience has paid off with back-to-back wins to open its career.
The daughter of Iffraaj only kicked off its career in May when it scored a narrow win at Matamata and it followed that up with a stylish win on this track last start.
Having experience at Rotorua can be key as the track gets very deep and apprentice jockey Darren Danis will likely try get off the rails at some stage, but his 3kg claim will help its winning chances.
Rotorua Race 5 – Wooden Edge
It’s safe to say Wooden Edge either wins or doesn’t go close.
The Chris Wood-trained five-year-old has had 12 starts for six wins and no placings, and is in great form having won its last two starts.
The pure wet tracker defeated a subsequent winner by almost two lengths last start and that form should hold up nicely for this.
The conditions are going to be wet again which is ideal and the 3kg claim from Japanese rider Hairi Marzuki will do it wonders.
Punters do get concerned with its consistency, but it has the most potential out of any runner in this field and we’re expecting a top effort.