Addington hosts a brilliant premier meeting tonight. We preview the feature races.
NZ Yearling Sales Series 3yrold trotting final, 5.16pm
One Apollo has the talent to win this race, but his chances took a hit when he drew the outside of the front line.
Get Lucky and Cheerful look much better placed in barriers 3 and 4, respectively.
Though Get Lucky beat Cheerful home in the New Zealand Trotting Derby, I think she can turn the tables.
Sires’ Stakes Final for 2yrold pacing colts and geldings, 7.07pm
The PurdonRasmussen stable has a brilliant record in this race and that should continue.
I am going against their most recent form and against what betting markets suggest and picking Smooth Deal to beat One Change.
Smooth Deal has the perfect chance to dominate this race from barrier 2.
One Change will be tough to beat and he and his stablemate look well above the rest here.
Flying Even Bettor and Above N Beyond look bestplaced to fill third and fourth.
The Sires Stakes Final for 2yrold trotters, 7.37pm
The barrier draws have made this race particularly intriguing.
Oamaru trotter Ultimate Stride looked a likely first selection until he drew the tricky barrier of 1 on the second row.
That looks to give his arch rival, Muscle Mountain, who starts from barrier 7, an advantage.
Though they are both winning hopes, so, too, is Tailored Elegance. The PurdonRasmussen trotter has built nice form since first stepping out and looks a major player, despite drawing barrier 8.
NZ Yearling Sales Series 2yrold fillies’ pacing final, 8.07pm.
The absence of the country’s leading filly, Sweet On Me, gives her counterparts an excellent chance for bigrace glory tonight.
Her bridesmaids, Tiffany Rose and Amazing Dream, clash with exciting newcomer Spellbound.
Though stable and market leads suggest Spellbound has an edge over Tiffany Rose, I think that could be reversed. Tiffany Rose is well placed in barrier 4, while Spellbound is stuck out in barrier 7.
All Stars Amazing Dream will exceptionally tough to beat and has also drawn inside Spellbound in barrier 6.
New Zealand Oaks at 8.36pm
Belle Of Montana was brilliant in winning last week’s Nevele R Fillies Series Final and is a deserved favourite for tonight’s headline race.
Cotrainer Mark Purdon said this week that he was disappointed with
Princess Tiffany’s effort in defeat behind her main rival. However, he also said there was merit in her performance and he expected better this week. That sets up another mouthwatering clash.
Last week, Kayla Marie went a strong race for second when splitting the two star fillies. She is a serious contender again tonight and could offer some value.
Sires Stakes Sophomore Classic for 3yrold pacing colts and geldings, 9.37pm.
The All Star stable should complete another big night with The Moonshadow.
The 3yrold has a massive draw advantage over his main rivals Gran Chico and Memphis Tennessee, who are stuck out in barriers 7 and 9 respectively in the 1980m race.
Happy trails.