3 minute read
Two Group 1 feature races headline another quality program at New Zealand's Te Rapa on Saturday, February 10th.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
I've run the rule over every galloper engaged below in my 2024 Herbie Dyke Stakes Day preview.
RACE 1 - 10:25AM: Devan Plastics BM65 (1300m)
Open race to kick off the Group 1 program and I thought that Butterfield looked a key winning chance at a nice price.
The Niagara gelding has mixed his form a little this time, but hit the line impressively to only just miss at Tauranga last time.
He's hard fit and drawn to receive every chance this week.
RACE 2 - 11AM: Allied Security Specialist Conditions Maiden (1200m)
Certainly has opened a clear and popular favourite in the market.
The Savabeel filly has made just three appearances at the races so far, but was a dominant winner at Matamata two back before a credible effort for sixth in Group 1 company last time.
I think she'll win again but the $1.50 is too short for me, so I will instead select her as the winner in a Same Race Multi and pump up my odds with Rockin Rosie running into the first three.
Same Race Multi selections:
No. 4 Certainly (Win)
No. 3 Rockin Rosie (Top 3)
RACE 3 - 11:35AM: Dr John Southworth Memorial Vase (1200m)
Open race and at publish, we're looking at $5 the field, but I am happy to have something on the resuming Insatiable.
Insatiable hasn't been seen at the races since early December, but she was a consistent performer last time, winning a couple of decent races in succession most notably and ending his campaign third in competitive company.
The barrier is a small knock, but I am confident that he can overcome it under Opie Bosson.
RACE 4 - 12:10PM: Group 2 Fillies Classic (2000m)
Molly Bloom can return to winning form in the Fillies Classic.
The talented three-year-old recorded consecutive race wins two and three starts back, including the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas, while she was last seen finishing seventh in the Karaka Millions 3YO.
Hard fit and dropping in class, she'll take beating again.
RACE 5 - 12:53PM: Peter Kelly Bayleys Real Estate BM75 (2100m)
Mark Twain steps out third-up and ready to strike in Herbie Dyke Stakes Day.
The Shocking gelding returned to action to finish fourth, beaten a length and a half at Otaki in late November, and he was last seen filling the minors behind an impressive Weneedashock at Wanganui.
I'm expecting wholesale improvement for that effort, and he will relish getting further out in trip this week.
RACE 6 - 1:28PM: Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m)
Multiple Group 1 winner Legarto takes her place in the Herbie Dyke Stakes field a model of fitness and ready to win again.
Legarto was a standout over in New Zealand from day dot, but arrived in Australia last autumn for an impressive win in the Australian Guineas.
She returned to action this time to win the Aotearoa Classic Preview and was only just denied as a clear favourite in the Aotearoa Classic last time out.
Fitter third-up and out to the 2000m, I don't think any of these rivals have the means to knock her off this week.
RACE 7 - 2:03PM: Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m)
This is another open race with plenty of winning chances engaged, and I am going to have an each way play on the Tony Pike-trained Vera Rose.
Vera Rose debuted for consecutive wins in December, and after a luckless effort over 1500m at Pukekohe on New Year's Day, she turned in a vastly improved effort to finish fourth in Group 3 company at her latest.
The low draw this week enhances her chances of success, and she can fight out the finish.
RACE 8 - 2:38PM: Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m)
The second Group 1 feature has drawn a talented group of sprinters, but I'm pretty keen on early race favourite Crocetti once more.
Crocetti has been nothing short of outstanding since making his debut, winning all seven of his race starts and returning to action last month for an easy win in the Group 3 Almanzor Trophy.
This is the next logical step for him and with even luck, I think he'll just win again.
RACE 9 - 3:12PM: Vertical Logistics BM75 (1400m)
Financier has attracted plenty of early interest in betting ahead of the last on Herbie Dyke Stakes Day and I am keen to follow the money.
Financier returned to action to fill the minors in BM75 company at Tauranga last month, before returning to winning form with an eye-catching performance at Matamata.
There's no doubt that this is his level, and he steps out this week in peak order.
