RaceBase

Elle R9. #10 Nicole Amy

Ready for the step up to a mile ... and recent rain will assist.

*Ran on late but never a winning chance.

Hastings R4. #10 Ustibecasual

*Casual, lacklustre performance.

Matamata R8. #5 Belle De Jeu

*Gone soon after turning for home ... hopeless.

Rotorua R2. #4 Poetic Music
Resuming following a decent let-up and should be well prepared to win in a freshened state here.

*Lovely run in transit outside the pacemaker but couldn't kick on in the run home. Will strip a much fitter animal second-up.

Ellerslie R1. #6 Molly's Dolly - Sam Spratt

Perfect run in the trail ... sprinted thru' inner ... far too good ... $5.80. The 3YO event at Rotorua won by One Swanstonstreet is looking a decent guide to future prospects ... I plucked Dolly from that race.

Crappy fields this weekend due to Melbourne Cup day races sharing the talent. Reluctantly, I'll head to Awapuni where the track is currently in a Heavy state although it may improve to Slow by morning or some time after. A Good track's likely at Te Awamutu but I can't sort any wheat from the abundant chaff.

Awapuni R7. #1 Chinon - Veteran hoop Chris 'Magic' Johnson to work the oracle here.

*And he did work the oracle ... beautifully timed run to out-class the opposition @ $3.10. Note what can really happen when Larry's on form.

Te Rapa R6. #5 Fiorano - Andrew Calder

Roger James special ... this 5-year-old is going places. Can Larry secure a hat-trick and hopefully gain some more ground on mrracebase?

*Travelled 3-wide, hunted to lead 1000m, fought gamely, 3rd.

Heading to Riccarton where My Scotsgrey (R7. #13) will win the NZ Cup.

*3-wide early, eased to midfield outer, up turn, led ... all over. $3.70.

Larry's true ability is starting to come out now !

Puke R5. #4 Jungle Boots
This bloke is ready to win over the 1600m journey following two preparatory runs.

*Sadly, he snapped a leg soon after the start and crashed to the turf ... humanely put down

As I've had a bit to say on this website lately, I thought I'd rejoin this discussion.

So, Hastings, R9 FAIRGO.

Ellerslie R10. #4 Panama

*Got up by a nose ... I'll take it!

Trentham R3. #3 Minqar Qaim
I've been waiting for this son of Zabeel to step up over ground ... should murder this lot by at least two lengths.

Te Rapa : R7 : Waikato Cup : #7 Passchendaele

Won't get rich here but she should be too good for these mediocre excuses for stayers.


*Jogged along, cruised up to lead 300m ... all over, red rover.

Te Rapa R9. #1 PANAMA

Narrow win last time out at Ellerslie but will be further improved ... nearing peak fitness and has Lethal Leith aboard for company.

*Tardy beginning, ran on late.

Merry Xmas & Happy New Year to my 1000s of followers ... best wishes for your 2010 punting endeavours.

Boxing Day tip and the last for the decade ... unfortunately, I won't catch mrracebase who's had a tremendous
lucky year on the selection front. So I hereby declare him World Champion Picker 2009. Congrats, mrrb.

Ellerslie R2. #6 Latika
Caught my attention with a game run in open company last start at Te Rapa ... back to R90 grade here and will be in the mix at the business end. (Please excuse the corny, tabloid-style comments, but it is Xmas.)

Larry Lurex wrote:I won't catch mrracebase who's had a tremendous
lucky year on the selection front. So I hereby declare him World Champion Picker 2009. Congrats, mrrb.

Thanks Larry. You are most gracious in defeat.

Picking competitions are foreign to me, so don't expect too much at my first attempt. It may take me a year or three to get the hang of it.

Anyway, here goes ...

Tauranga Race 8 [7] Concerto - Andrew Calder

Turfie


*Poor start.

Wide early, hunted to lead, stopped straight.

Ellerslie R5. #5 Salvatore - Michael Coleman

Turfie