Matt Cross’ selections at Addington tonight

[Wandering Eyes]

Commentator Matt Cross goes race-by-race at Addington tonight.

Race 1 : ITM Canterbury Region race Night 2024 Mobile Pace (5.16pm)

The Con Artist may start the night off on the right foot for the All Stars Stable. He was brave here two weeks ago when placed second to Always Be Batman. He did a bit of work early before finding cover behind a horse that took him nowhere on the turn. The way he found the line he’s a big chance tonight and with Blair Orange opting for him over two other stablemates we must take confidence from that. The Bettor Deal has his chance to win in front last time and whacked away finishing third. He’s since trialled and won well enough to play a part here. Ohoka Cobra is on debut, he’s a full brother to the well performed Braeview Kelly and a half-brother to one of the most exciting horses going around, Ohoka Connor. He’s looked sharp at the trials, his most recent being the best of them coming home in 58.5 and looked good doing it. Rock Or Bust will be improved from his debut but once again drawn outside a couple of the main chances does make it a tough task for him. Midnight Miki has also shown good ability at the trials. Win bet – The Con Artist
Selections 5-3-4-6

Race 2 : Probuild ITM 2YO Mobile Trot (5.46pm)

The two-year-old trotters compete here, and I think from what we have seen that John Spartan may be the horse to beat. His debut run was nice zooming home for second back in June. He’s been freshened and his trial to prepare was just as good. Has a good draw and the stable has a high opinion of him. Ya Rite Darl has won two out of three and another that looks ready to go from what we have seen at the trials. Her stablemate Frazzled has been slightly superior to her in two runs to prepare but has a second-row draw that will make life a bit of a challenge from there, has the ability though. Paddy McDaddy drawn one looks a place hope.
Selections 3-8-9-1

Race 3 : Hillside ITM Handicap Pace (6.17pm)

Rise Up N Dance will have a huge advantage here drawn the front with most runners giving him a 15-metre head start. He won at Gore fresh up and the thing that was most impressive about that was that only one of his shortener pins released so he ran the race with different hopple lengths. All three of his starts here have been full of merit not only to the eye but on the clock too. A big win chance with a clean getaway. Tanzania is 56 days between runs but does go good freshened. His trial at Methven will have him fit enough to compete and it does look an easier grade for him too. Bear in mind three starts back he was only one length from Franco Sinatra. Onwardsandupwards has trialled up well she might fly under the radar here at a big price. Expect an improved performance form Kōwhai Nugget coming back to the stand start, his last couple have been better than the form reads, he’s got a good turn of foot if things go his way.
Selections 2-7-9-4

Race 4 : Kaipoi ITM Mobile Pace (6.46pm)

Borrisokane must be one of the bets of the night with the way he got home first up after 259 days. His splits on the Ultimate Racebook were 1:56.5/55/26.9. There’s not too many in here that could peel those splits. 2600m is also a big plus for him and he looked to be tractable last time too which give us confidence he can win here. Dangers include Sophia Bromac whose fitness will be further forward after finding the line well on Sunday. She loves Addington and with one crack at them can play a role. Wallflower is an interesting runner, she’s no champion but honest enough. Trialled OK without lighting the world on fire, she’s a Dalgety runner though so will be ready. Wolf Of Wall Street can place. Don’t Tell Jenny is a place hope too but would need to improve a length or three from Sunday where she took heavy support in the market. Borrisokane looks a great bet.
Selections 12-11-9-7

Race 5 : Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes Harness 7000 (7.15pm)

Miki’s Courage was most impressive here last week, first up after 84 days he held them all off in good style. Preferential barrier draw means he draws wide but sneaks in by the skin of his teeth under the race conditions. There does look to be a fair bit of speed from both I’m Rockin and Spirit Of Anarchy early but there is the potential that both of those runners would hand up. I’m Rockin worked at both ends last week and was far too good for his rivals, his overall time was faster than Miki’s Courage who won on the same night. He can win again. Spirit Of Anarchy was first up for two months last time and was beaten by a talented horse called Betterthancash. With fitness improvement and a good run in transit he should be thereabouts. Trump Card has a high cruising speed; the only concern is drawing one the second row which means some of those well supported ones could have a decent margin on him early. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him win but there’s work to do from there. Bronson would need to lift off his last start to be winning but include in first fours. For multi players Miki’s Courage top two is a good way to go.
Selections 8-7-10-9

Race 6 : Darfield ITM Handicap Trot (7.46pm)

This race is a real head scratcher. The form from the Ordeal last week should stack up. Confessional hit the line under a hold with nowhere to go. He comes in 20m better off than the winner there. Looks like his confidence is right up too and Paul Nairn has his team flying. Mighty Logan had a bee in his bonnet here last week where he tried to duck out the gate on the first lap, he broke and ended up week back, made a move and stuck on well. Just needs manners to feature. We welcome Highgrove back to the races, he hasn’t raced since December 2022, it’s been a long road back so he may need it but there is no doubting his ability. Kyvalley Hotspur beat him at the trials by a nose last week, he’s a dual derby winning Australian now with the Bob Butt stable. And no knock on Aardiebythehill, an honest campaigner as we saw last week, things will be slightly harder off 30m this time.
Selections 3-4-5-6

Race 7 : Bashers ITM Mobile Pace (8.17pm)

I think Vessem is the one to beat here. He brings excellent form from earlier in the year where he was only one length away from Chase A Dream in the Sires’ Stakes Final. Two trials to prepare and his latest one was sharp. Plenty of options from barrier 4 too. Live On Legend represents some value from gate two. If he can cross the horse inside him, he can be amongst it, he didn’t really get a chance to get into the race last time where most of the action was on the pegs. Sweet Diamond is a talented mare, on her day she could cross most of these out of the gate, but I wonder if fresh up they won’t want to burn her too much, she does look ready though. Kashkeeper has barrier one and has shown upside at stages through his career, should get a great run. Bryce’s Meddle will keep going all day in a field like this too, he’s a nice staying type so might end up close to the pace.
Selections 4-2-9-1

Race 8 : Woodlands Stud Wish RJ Dunn a Happy 70th Mobile Pace (8.46pm)

Tactics are going to be interesting here. Mr Kaplan is the one to beat. Drawn the outside may not be the worst thing, she could work herself into the race after what could be a fast run first section. Terra Sancta is your early leader from three and whether she hands up determines the chances of some of the others. If Cardi B can get the lead and run along like she did last time she comes into play. Terra Sancta either way looks to get a sweet trip. Look for Advance Party running on late and if they go mad up front then Mr Kaplan should be good enough to come over the top of them all. If you’re shopping multis I think Terra Sancta top three could be the play under most scenarios in this.
Selections 9-3-6-7

Race 9 : Rangiora ITM Handicap Trot (9.15pm)

Masterly was going to win here last week, well in my opinion I think so. Clearly he’s come back in great order and there was some confidence in the camp that he could run a race. Bookies not letting him go this week opening him clear favourite. Looks the one to beat if he holds it all together. Stablemate Tu Tangata is usually a sit sprint type so he will be hoping there is a good bit of tempo, if he gets luck look for him running on. Muscle Sass was good here last time. She wasn’t fast away but her late work impressed. The River Boy should step and put himself on speed, the race never worked in his favour last week and he might be an each way player. Win bet Masterly with The River Boy top four.
Selections 12-8-4-2

Race 10 : Hamptons ITM Fillies and Mares Mobile Pace (9.40pm)

I was most impressed with the work from Celestial Sea at Ashburton on debut. In a 156-mile rate home in 56 she just kept coming. She had trialled and was beaten into second by Tact Teva who was a winner on debut. Always Impressive has a motor. I liked her latest trial she come home in 56.8, drawn three she’s right in this. Spicey Crunch still has a bit to learn but there’s a win in her at some stage, and Brandi Snapp is a nice filly drawn two, don’t leave her out. Plenty of others here that are going to win races soon, Oneroa needs luck drawn inside second row, and Delightful Peg was massive last time, just has an issue with manners. Celestial Sea one of the bets of the night.
Selections 9-4-7-3

Race 11 McVicar’s ITM Mobile Pace (10.04pm)

Double Jeopardy gets in here so well at the ratings but draws the outside. He was stiff first up but won well last time with his closing splits on The Ultimate Racebook being 55.4 & 25.7. He will be improved again and has some big targets over the next few months. Shakira finally gets a draw. Her connections would have smiled seeing her drawn one, her last run she was nine weeks between runs and was gallant late when third there in the Nevele R Fillies heat. She looks a live danger. Commander Joe has options drawn two with no horses in the second row, he’s been freshened and comes from some stronger races. Action Major has trialled up well and enjoys 2600m too he might be one to spice up your same race multis. I’d be shopping Shakira top two with plenty of confidence here.
Selections 9-1-2-4

Best Bet – R4 Borrisokane
Next Best – R10 Celestial Sea
Value Bet – R9 The River Boy

Suggested Multi

Race 4 Borrisokane WIN
Race 5 Miki’s Courage TOP2
Race 8 Terra Sancta TOP3
Race 10 Celestial Sea TOP3
Race 11 Shakira TOP2

(Courtesy of trackside.co.nz) 

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