Trentham tips, best bets & quaddie selections | NZ 20/3 preview
| What | Trentham Races |
| Where | Trentham, Upper Hutt 5018, New Zealand |
| When | Saturday, March 20, 2021 |
| First Race | 12:38pm Local Time |
| Watch Live | |
The New Zealand Oaks will headline a massive day of racing at the Trentham track in Wellington on Saturday. The nine race card is expected to be run under clear skies although the track is presently rated a Dead 5. The rail is true, with only 2mm rain in the last 24 hours. Action from Wellington will kick-off at 12:38 PM (local time), with the gates opening for guests from 11AM.
Best Bet – Race 8 Amarelinha ($1.65)
We cannot cover the action from Wellington (NZ horse racing) without paying any attention to the NZ Oaks. Fifteen three-year-old fillies will compete in the NZD 400,000 Nz Oaks (G1). Amarelinha, the Jamie Richards-trained filly is coming into this race as the $2.9 favourite, fresh off edging out her greatest rival by a nose, Needle and Thread, in the 2100m Ellerslie G3 Sunline Vase on March 7. Needle and Thread is in strong form and fared better in the draw. She will start her race being in the first half a dozen (4) while Amarelinha will start in the second half (12). Another concern for Needle and Thread is her ability to perform in an anti-clockwise track.
Next Best – Race 6 Need I Say More
Another Jamie Richards-trained gelding is on view in what will be the sixth race of the day. Need I Say More, carrying 56.5kg, should be priced hard to beat in this race as he has won his last two outings at the track. His closest rival is training mate, Brando, who had an amazing first five starts but finished 14 out of 14 in his last race in February. If Brando can find top form, we will be in for a cracker. The race will commence at 15:35
Best Value – Race 3 Ifndoubtgetout $6
Ifndoubtgetout is ranked fifth-favorite coming into this race but can pull off an upset. The four-year-old secured his second career win on March 13, 2021, on this same track – BM65. He will be looking to secure consecutive victories for the first time in his career and is rightly placed to do so, coming out from barrier three. The Tracey Bliss-trained horse will make his fourth appearance on this track for the Shoe Clinic Premier. If Ifndoubtgetout can repeat his March 13 performance, this bet will give the best value of the day.