Blue Shadow has class to beat strong rivals at Te Rapa
Blue Shadow has a Meatloaf two out of three so far and can make that three from four at Te Rapa this afternoon — even though she faces by far the strongest line- up and has drawn awkwardly at No 10 at the 1200m.
Regardless, there has been a touch of special about the way she has put a space on the opposition winning at Matamata and here at Te Rapa.
She stepped up from maidens here last start and kicked away in the home straight after being pressured in the lead. She will probably have to find some extra again facing up to talents like City Boy, Mystery Show, Amastar and Way Inn. Also, what will be the value runner, Mighty Me has a great first- up record and makes it to the races for the first time since January. Fascinating race and the exotics should be very profitable.
No one could argue against Leica Lady ( No 10, R1) deserving a win. She has run a couple of beaut races that under different circumstances would have won a maiden race by now. This race sets up nicely for her and she looks a promising way to start the day.
Opaki trainer Andrew Campbell is pretty good at getting horses ready to win fresh from a break and he might pull off another with juvenile Waldorf ( No 1, R2). The colt won on debut and you can rest easy about him not having raced since January. He has drawn a touch wider than you would like, but he is a horse that does not have to be ridden hard from the gates and he might tough out the barrier. He is the only winner in the race and his experience over most of the others will be a vital ingredient. Dragon ( No 3) looked good finishing third on debut back in January and Karisto ( No 4) and Sacred Rebel ( No 5) are on debut and have shown up at trials.
Blackmagicwoman ( No 14, R3) has often looked a little on the underdeveloped side, but now as a late fouryear- old she should be starting to be- come more solid. She has drawn an awkward gate when she resumes today, but she should be able to settle somewhere in midfield.
This could be a useful campaign for her. Wimbledon ( No 7) resumed with a good placing at Rotorua and Sacred Siren ( No 5) and Toorak Tower ( No 8) are good value runners.
The stayers in Race 4 are an even lot, so looking for value is often the right move. Jochen Rindt ( No 1) has won three of his six races at Te Rapa and is well up to this type of field. Visitor Wait A Sec ( No 5) and Twinkles ( No 8) are currently in form as i s Francis Drake ( No 2).
In the absence of a stand- out chance, last week’s winner Nina Arora ( No 9, R5) can make it a backto- back double. The barrier draw is a bit ugly on paper, but she tends to get back in her races. Street Smart ( No 1) has a bit more talent than some in this field. Eskimo Kiss ( No 5) is another with a horror draw, but she, too, can race from the second half of the field.
If value is what you are looking for in Race 7 you could do worse than Adriatic Pearl ( No 9). She is much better placed here than in the weightfor- age event at Rotorua last start and is a winner on this track. She is a touch underrated. Tavis Star ( No 11) can improve on her first- up fourth, which was a very useful effort and Bowie ( No 2) is another on the way up. Ali Baba ( No 7) can mix his form, but is well up to this field with a peak effort.
The last is impossible with chances everywhere. Craftyeva ( No 11, R8) was not beaten by much when resuming and Indian Maid ( No 12) is not out of it in an even field.
Stablemates Shocking Luck and Melody Belle can tidy up the group ones at Doomben this afternoon.
Shocking Luck simply could not cope with the wet track at Eagle Farm last time and can take the Derby.
Melody Belle needs only to be close to the condition which saw her street the opposition last time to win the JJ Atkins.