New Zealand Tips 20/05/2023

Our form expert provides New Zealand tips for today’s horse racing at Awapuni & Te Rapa Racecourses and gives his best bets.

AWAPUNI

BEST BET 🏆

Race 2:  No.8  STELLA  SPLENDIDA  ($3.90 with Bet Right)

The Mark Walker-trained STELLA SPLENDIDA looks a promising type and second-up today can figure here. Last start, the Zoustar filly resumed from a six-month absence and showing no signs of fatigue, took out a BM65 over 1200m at Hawera. Sent out a $1.90 favourite, she gave supporters no cause for alarm as she enjoyed the run of the race, parked right behind her stablemate (Baronet) to the turn. She took control on straightening and not pushed hard by Michael McNab, went on to win by a length on the line. Ryan Elliot has the reins today and up against her own age-group today she looks set for back-to-back victories here.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 7:  No.1  SUBTLE POINT  ($2.60 with Ladbrokes)

The Roger Allen-trained SUBTLE POINT has found his mojo again and looks well-placed here to return to the winner’s circle. Last start, the Nadeem gelding made it two runner-up finishes in a row when he beat all but one home in a BM75 over 2200m at Hastings. Jonathan Parkes returned to partner him that day and he did well to hang onto second place while carrying 60kgs. Parkes has ridden the six-year-old to two of his three career wins to date and drawn well in gate five today, looks set to give this contest a real shake.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 8:  No.6  MARY LOUISE  ($3.20 with Bet Right)

Robbie Patterson saddles-up MARY LOUISE here who is second-up and with a glowing resume, looks a genuine contender today. Last start, the four-year-old was fresh off a 13-week spell when she gave them a galloping lesson, taking out a BM75 Hcp over 1400m at Te Rapa. First-up, she carried the number one saddlecloth but still went on to win by almost two lengths on the line. Craig Grylls returns for this assignment after steering the mare to victory at Otaki three starts back. This is a little harder but she drops 4kgs in weight today and despite a wide draw, maps to settle mid-field with cover. She has already won five of her eight career starts to date and looks a genuine contender here as well.

TE RAPA

BEST BET 🏆

Race 3:  No.8  MISS ROCKETTE  ($6 with BlueBet)

The Stephen Marsh-trained MISS ROCKETTE is yet to miss a podium finish from her four starts to date and second-up here, looks poised to continue that trend. Last start, the El Roca filly came off a 12-week spell when she finished a close-up third in the Group 3 Inglis Cambridge Breeders’, here over 1200m. She stayed with them all the way to the finish line, weakening only in the final 50m. Sam Weatherley was aboard for that run and sticks with filly here. Fitter for that run, she should find this a little easier and should give us a bold sight today.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 7:  No.9  ONEROA  ($8 with Bet Right)

The Andrew Forsman-trained ONEROA is second-up today and although drawn wide, looks a serious contender for the major prize here. Last start, the Shooting To Win mare was fresh off a six-month break when she beat all but one home in a BM75 over 1400m at Otaki. She loomed up on the turn and looked set to go on with it but her condition gave out, leaving her to settle for second prize that day. She draws wide here but should settle back in the field anyway. The going will be better out wide on the forecast Heavy 9 today which should suit her, boasting a solid record in the conditions. Already a two-time winner when second-up, she looks well placed here and will be running on again.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 5:  No.5  DAWN JESSIE  ($14.20 with BoomBet)

Peter Lock saddles-up DAWN JESSIE here who is second-up today and can improve enough to be a genuine contender in this contest. Last start, the Sun Ruler mare was in need of the run when she finished mid-field in the Shaw’s Wire Ropes Sprint, here over 1200m. In the field of nine, she claimed fifth prize, beaten less than a length on the line, five of them crossed together in a real blanket finish in the driving rain. The extra distance will suit today and after the claim, she carries the same weight as last start. She is a two-time winner here and has won second-up before. She ticks enough boxes here to be considered a real each-way chance today.