Otaki races full form and free tips, Thursday, December 21
KIWI punters love betting at Otaki during the Christmas season and we have full form and free tips for this Thursday’s meeting.
Located in the lower North Island, Otaki is a great betting track in the summer and the NZB Insurance Pearl Series race adds plenty of interest on the midweek card.
All eight races look wide open, which means bookmakers are giving away great value across the card.
You can bet on New Zealand racing at Sportsbet.com.au, which is giving $501 in bonus bets to both NZ and Australian customers.
Race 1 – Maiden Handicap (2100m)
Hard But Fair finished off well last start in a similar race to this.
The Roydon Bergerson-trained five-year-old has placed in two of its eight starts, which have some successively entering this race and although it was beaten by 3.5 lengths last start, it still defeated six other runners, including race-rival Donardo.
Japanese rider Masa Tanaka is riding well this season and he could be a jockey to follow during the summer months.
Race 1 tip: Hard But Fair to win at Neds.com.au
Race 2 – R75 Open Handicap (2100m)
Gorbachev went close in an easier grade last start and the drop in weight will help with the class rise.
The Bryce Newman-trained four-year-old ran within a long neck of the winner at Otaki last start and that track experience is only going to help its chances here.
His form earlier this season included a fifth behind Heavens Keep in rating 85 grade and a third placing behind Strolling Vagabond in rating 75 company at Awapuni.
He should be paying good each way odds in an even field.
Race 2 tip: Gorbachev to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 3 – Maiden 3YO (1300m)
Baxstreetboy owes punters plenty having finished second at all three starts to date.
The three-year-old gelding has found one better at every start and it started as the hot favourite on every occasion. The son of Burgundy has been beaten at odds of $2.40, $1.80 and $2.20 far and punters won’t be wanting a similar result here.
He had every right to win last start after leading the field throughout, but he might be best ridden with some cover.
The small field of six might not help its chances, but we’ll continue to back him based on the chase theory.
Race 3 tip: Baxstreetboy to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 4 – Maiden Handicap (1200m)
It has taken some time for Rocco Bello to get to the races, but it finally won a trial after six attempts.
The Ramsay/Ritchie-trained son of Fastnet Rock is a well-bred entire for Sir Peter Vela and it looked good winning a recent trial at Matamata.
That trial came on a good track which is going to suit here and it’s good to see Sam Weatherley in the saddle and his riding has improved significantly this season.
Race 4 tip: Rocco Bello to win at Neds.com.au
Race 5 – Pearl Series Race (1400m)
Tipping Point is on debut for Adrian and Harry Bull and it looms as a winning chance.
The Road to Rock four-year-old has been patiently handled to date, but that patience paid off with a recent trial win at Foxton.
Race day is another beast, but the stable has secured Rosie Myers in the saddle which shows how serious they’re taking this race.
The inside draw is going to allow her to dictate the play and she should be paying a handy each way price with bookmakers.
Race 5 tip: Tipping Point to win at Neds.com.au
Race 6 – Maiden Handicap (1400m)
Field of Fire has mixed form this season, but it has the ability to score at each way odds here.
A four-year-old gelding by Swiss Ace, Field of Fire has shown glimpses of top form with a placing at Hawera in August before running second at Awapuni two starts back in November.
That form will take it close here, but we are wanting to see a better effort than what it produced at New Plymouth last time out.
Race 6 tip: Field of Fire to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 7 – R65 Handicap (1600m)
La Jolie Fille looks to have plenty of talent based on its four-start career to date.
The Jim Wallace-trained four-year-old didn’t kick off its career well with a 10th at Tauherenikau, but it had over a year off and bounced back with a fresh up win at Hastings.
It was again disappointing following that run when beating only three home at Awapuni, but it was only narrowly run down at Trentham last start and that’s a good form guide for this.
Staying at the mile should help and it’s another solid ride for Rosie Myers.
Race 7 tip: La Jolie Fille to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 8 – Maiden Handicap (1600m)
Rip Into Ghia is overdue a maiden win after looking likely on many occasions.
Having placed in six of its 11 starts, the Lisa Latta-trained four-year-old has been knocking on the door all season after three consecutive placings and this looks her best chance to finally secure a win.
Drawing barrier 13 shouldn’t be of concern as it can settle midfield and come with a searching run.
Race 8 tip: Rip Into Ghia to win at CrownBet.com.au