Tauranga Race 1
1 Dalmatian Coast
TIP OF THE DAY
Dalmatian Coast (#1) was excellent at Ellerslie last start, sticking on strongly for 6th after racing three-wide without cover throughout, beaten only 2L by Swiss Prince. From the inside draw he maps to settle up on speed under Ryan Elliot and should enjoy a far softer run in transit. With even luck, he looks very hard to beat.
Tauranga Race 2
9 Zacabasso
Zacabasso (#9) closed off well into 5th over 1600m last start and now looks suited stepping up to 2100m. From the inside gate Warren Kennedy should be able to give her an economical run and every chance to see out the trip. In what is not a strong maiden staying field, she finds a winnable assignment.
Tauranga Race 3
6 Yamato Satona
Yamato Satona (#6) produced a brilliant debut win at Rotorua, surging home from near last to nab victory late. From the low draw he can settle a touch closer here in a race that appears to have a genuine early tempo. With natural improvement second-up, he should take plenty of beating.
Tauranga Race 4
11 Mesa Verde
Mesa Verde (#11) resumes as a lightly raced 6yo mare and was last seen on a testing Heavy10 back in June. She should get much better footing for this run and typically performs well in a fresh state. Drawn nicely with just 54.5kg after the claim, she maps to settle just off the leaders and should get her chance.
Tauranga Race 5
1 Sweynesday
Sweynesday (#1) resumes here, last sighted finishing 2nd at Ellerslie on New Year's Day. He arrives without a trial and will likely get back from his wide draw, but the expected strong early tempo should help bring him into it. If he is within striking range turning for home, he has the turn of foot to be very competitive late.
Tauranga Race 6
4 Mary Shan
Mary Shan (#4) didn't fire second-up, but that effort can largely be put down to her not handling the Heavy track conditions that day. She finds herself on better footing here and maps to get a soft run just behind the speed. This looks the right race for her to bounce back third-up.
Tauranga Race 7
1 Ladies Man
Ladies Man (#1) was too bad to be true in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic, later explained as he pulled up with Cardiac Arrhythmia. If you forgive that run, his effort prior in the Gr.1 Howden Mile was excellent, and he looks very well placed under WFA conditions in this field. Clearly the horse to beat if he brings anything close to his best.
Tauranga Race 8
10 Carajillo
Carajillo (#10) had nothing go right at Ellerslie last start, bombing the start and copping interference in the straight. She maps to get back again from a wide draw and will be relying on a genuine tempo and some luck in running. At the price, she looks a worthwhile each-way play in an even race to close proceedings.
