Trackside’s Bevan Sweeney provides his tips for all eight races at the Ōtaki track Friday evening

Ōtaki Race 1
1 Coney Island
The first on the day is a tricky race, so I am happy to stick with the well backed favorite Coney Island. He has been a model of consistency in this preparation, running strong races across his last four starts. He will jump and most likely lead, and, with the lack of exposed form behind him, he looks a strong chance to be too strong from that position. With the rail out five metres, I am happy to take him each way from the advantageous forward position.
Selections: 1-9-2-10

Ōtaki Race 2
10 Stolen Rubies
I like this mare as my best value play on the programme at a great boosted price of $13.00. Her form looks fair on paper, but a deeper look shows that her first two efforts were full of promise, and after looking well beaten here fresh, she came again to run decent sectionals. She's a big mare, so the tight corner doesn't really suit but the easing in the ground should be a major plus. She is a mare who will win races, and in this field, I'm happy to say, with a little luck in the run, she can certainly get some of this.
Selections 10-6-12-7

Ōtaki Race 3
4 Kick On
It's a race where you can't really write off the chances of any runner in the small field. Kick On was in strong company last start, and after getting a long way back, he rattled home in the strongest last 400/200 of the race, even better than Justaskme. With the small field he should position up much closer, and as long as Lily moves early enough, in what will be a tactical race, I believe that he can finish off well enough to win.
Selections: 4-6-1-3 

Ōtaki Race 4
1 Ka Ying Lucky
Looks a bargain buy for Suzy Gordon off Gavelhouse for $10,500 after what was one of the wins of the day at Trentham. After getting well back over a 1000 metres, he unleashed a devastating turn of foot to win with some ease over the last 100 metres. On pure ratings, even with the extra weight today, a repeat performance would see him winning again. The money has come again for him, so he is clearly going well and there is enough speed in this race to see it being run truly.
Selections 1-12-2-3  

Ōtaki Race 5
3 Spencer
His win at Trentham for me was the best performance of the day and really stamped him as one to follow across the winter. Patiently ridden by Allpress at Trentham he came through on the slower ground and put a good field away in a couple of strides. I think he will love the better ground and he can hold a position from the ace draw which should see him being very competitive again. I think Fleming will come out with no rain in the forecast so get on now as he will be paying under $3.00 by race time.
Selections 3-5-11-8  

Ōtaki Race 6
6 Princess Elly
6 Princess Elly: She has been fantastic in this campaign and is still developing into the finished product. She is coming out of a quality race last time and was brave behind a couple of quality types. The step up in trip to 2100 metres looks ideal today. She is a winner in better track conditions here at Otaki with the perfect draw to be put to sleep and sprint home. She's a real potential and she will be my best of the day even with Solidify in the race, who is a quality horse.
Selections 6-2-1-5 

Ōtaki Race 7
3 Lurid
Not a race I am overly keen on, so I am happy to see the progress of Lurid into the winter months. He was much better at his last start, and as an older horse, he will keep improving run on run and even further with wetter tracks. This track will be better than ideal for him, however, he will be competitive, and he will win at short notice when the real rain arrives.
Selections 3-1-5-2

Ōtaki Race 8
7 Who Knows
Really competitive rating 65 to finish the day but this horse was one of the better maiden winners I have seen in recent times. After sitting three wide in the open, she was brought to the centre of the track and exploded away in good sectionals. It's always very hard to go straight into 65 grade but she was so impressive that it's hard to say she couldn't and her rating off the day says she definitely can.
Selections 7-2-1-8