The Trust House Enhancing Our Community Masterton Cup is the feature race on the card of the Masterton Racing Club meeting at Tauherenikau tomorrow.
The $25000 rating 75 has attracted a useful field of eight horses headed by 2022 Waikato Guineas winner Field of Gold out of Bill Thurlow’s Waverley stable.
Field of Gold was a fast-finishing second over 1600m at Ōtaki last start, and Thurlow is using tomorrow’s race as a stepping stone to the Hawke’s Bay Gold Cup in three weeks.
“We thought it was a great run; he carried a big weight and was pretty close to winning the race, really. He’s obviously still on the way up, and we’re still learning a bit about him, but it was very good,” Thurlow told Loveracing.
“He pulled up well, and we’re really happy with him; hopefully, he might have improved a little bit from that run. He hasn’t missed a beat.”
Last-start winners Orlov, Trav, and Titled, and February’s Wairarapa Cup winner Ruby Rocks are likely to be the main dangers for the top weight.
Other than the cup, the meeting has drawn solid but not spectacular fields of maiden and lower-rated gallopers, and with fine weather and a high of 23 degrees, there should be some close exciting arcing.
The first race leaves at the starting gates at 12.40 pm, and there’s free entry to the course for a gold coin donation to Life Flight.
So, without further ado, let’s tip out a few to follow on the day, although going on this tipster’s past form, the horses are more likely to do the following.
Race 1 – Take On from Kevin Myers is the likely favourite in the rating 60 2050m, although Richter could give this field a shake, and Hungry could be the bet if you have an appetite for longer odds.
Race 2 – Vavoom could simply go vavoom in the 1000m maiden, or if you’re following the local horses, there’s Gerald Innes’s Sir Godfrey, while Shesellsseashells is one to try and wrap your lips around.
Race 3 – Ardee Boy is fresh up in the rating 65 1000m; Discovery Bay has discovered some recent good form with two thirds, while Guessing Game just adds to the guessing game.
Race 4 – Paragon is one of few northerners entered and will take some beating in the maiden three-year-old over 1300m. Rosalita comes with two recent second placings, while Goddess could answer your prayers with a big divvy.
Race 5 – Subtle Image and Slice O’ Paradise are making fresh starts for Carterton trainer Roger Allen, while Headline News has to be the omen for any journo, but Speed Dial looks to have the speed to take out the maiden 1300m.
Race 6 – Sol De Otono was a close second last start at Tauherenikau, paying a ridiculous $11 for a place in a weird betting race, and could go one better in the middle-distance maiden. Justify That has the form to justify his selection, or First Edition could be the news story of the day.
Race 7 – There will be plenty of support on course for the Allen-trained Ruby Rocks in the Masterton Cup after a win and second in her latest two starts on the track, but Field of Gold looks the one to beat, while Tickford could motor in for a place.
Race 8 – Afterallthistime you might finally back a winner in the lucky last, a maiden over 1600m, or do you need a Towrope to get home before Nightfall? Deal or no deal – take your pick.
Good luck and good punting!
