OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 9 - 1400m

LOOSE SALLY / HAKADECREE / PENVOSE LAD

LOOSE SALLY is the class horse of the field who just loves her home course, winning 5 from 7 and she grows another leg here. Couldn't fire going to Christchurch but fresh up even from an awkward draw we should see a strong first up run, although the 1600m really is her go. No trial but likely to sprint well in a fresh state.

☆☆☆☆

HAKADECREE presents as the best value in our opinion and goes pretty well on this course despite a lack of attempts at the 1400m distance. The big plus here is a strong 3rd-up record, this inside gate and running on his home track where he won up on the pace back in February.

☆☆☆

PENVOSE LAD hasn't raced since failing in the Winter Cup at Riccarton but won here finishing best coming wider over 1400m in January before getting within a length of BETTY SPAGHETTI on a Heavy 9 at Wingatui. Does go better with a run under the belt, although track/trip record solid and good enough to surprise.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 10 - 1600m

THE OCEAN HEART / SANTITA / FLYING CELEBRATION

Willing to suggest THE OCEAN HEART can win this being a beautifully bred OCEAN PARK mare with a nice course record of 2 from 4. Needed the first one but won here over 1400m, then 1600m in February and Robert Dennis has not pressed her too hard with only nine race day starts in total. Nice gate, Cooper knows the horse - only goes well.

☆☆☆☆

SANTITA can probably make it four straight and is unbeaten in both runs at Wingatui, but at some point, the REDWOOD mare will get rolled and all the wins have come on the Heavy. Won't strike those conditions here so a bit short we believe and better value about.

☆☆☆

FLYING CELEBRATION is actually a pretty good horse who was trained by the Fannin's before coming south. $35 coming off a win in the wet over the mile racing three-wide at Ashburton? No way are these odds realistic and even on top of the ground this FLYING ARTIE mare is a chance.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1200m

MISS STARLIGHT / ZIGGY STARDUST / CHAMPAGNE LINDA

We're holding firm with MISS STARLIGHT this prep and she has come back looking in good shape for the Parsons despite a couple of strange runs and hard to load last start, so she wasn't happy. The SWEYNESSE mare fought on well for 2nd two back and should really be in solid condition now. Just needs a positive ride.

☆☆☆☆

If ZIGGY STARDUST had drawn a bit better, we believe the former northerner would be a winning chance, but at these odds in no way are we ruling out the mare with Tom Wigram down claiming 3kg. Super impressive winning at Southland and Riverton early in the year and likely to go forward early.

☆☆☆

The DARCI BRAHMA mare CHAMPAGNE LINDA rarely goes s poor race and typically gets into a positive spot early, although when it comes to the sharp end of the race, she is often found wanting. Finished 4th in the Breeders in March and weirdly has ended up 4th in five runs this year. Needs to settle and find a bit extra.

☆☆