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Oamaru JC - Preview - 1st August

After 163 horses were nominated for Oamaru on Sunday, 11 races have been carded for the first day of the new season

Last seasons champion rider James MacDonald has a good book of rides including the Kevin Myars trained Soph in the Oamaru Cup. The Lord Ballina 7yo loves the rain affected tracks as she showed last start when running on for fourth in the Whyte Handicap at Trentham. Her two runs prior in June were in Melbourne. Anderton’s Real Chance (Misbah) is the best southern chance ahead of the Gordon’s duo Burgundy Princess (Bishop) and Bonbonniere (Mundy). The leading Canterbury hopefuls appear to be Aronsay who has won his last two races for Michael Daly and The Take (Williams) who was a solid third on Wednesday for Paul Harris.

Myers will also saddle one of the favourites in the R80 1600m with Caley Marie (McDonald). Renee Maree (Shankar) hit the line well in close up third on Wednesday narrowly ahead of John Yeo’s mare Roseline (Robinson). Zman’s 2kg claim brings the top weight El Bee Dee right in to contention, while Pam Gerard’s Pentire gelding Pentour (Stachouse) will be improved after his southern debut at Ashburton.

The Open 1400m has attracted a quality field; the six runners having a final hit out before next weeks Winter Cup are Yanna Marie (Zman) - Myers, Faaltless (Hannam) - Shane Marr. Aussieaussieaussie (Mundy) - Kevin Hughes, Royal Flight (Misbah) - Anderton’s, Don’t Say Clang (Bullard) - Terri Rae and Kirk Douglas (Stackhouse) - Pam Gerard. Top sprinters Arctic Ace (Laking) and No Way (Mosely) might be more focused on this particular race.

James will also ride the in-form top weight Irish Charmer for Myers in the Maiden 2200m and in the R65 1200m Dunn’s Creek who made a good southern debut at Timaru for trainer Bill Thurlow. Neil Coulbeck’s duo Gufi and Hold The Fort are never far away. 

The one win 1600m has been split into two events. Redwood (Hannam) heads the ratings in the first for Peter and Dawn Williams. The Pyrus 4yo has been racing well in tougher fields than this. Kevin Myers Ekraar Colt Krase (McDonald) has to be respected, while Fire Wing (Bishop) has run second in this grade at his last three starts for Dan Champion. Voodoo Vixen again impressed on Wednesday for Graham Tippet, while Estee Lordia and Halfyaluck have been racing consistently well. In the second event Looseliplarry run on well last start at Ashburton and is a big chance for the Didham/Robinson combination. High Forty (Misbah) was an impressive maiden winner at Timaru. Tearaway for Shane Kennedy and Cee Gee Jay (Stackhouse) for Pam Gerard have both shown ability recently. Laudercreek (Zman) never fired a shot at Trentham but could bounce back here for the Gordon’s.

Mike McCann’s filly Ishiaroyal (M Carston) was an impressive winner at Ashburton and can feature in the R75 1400m along with fellow last start winners Big Red for Pam Robson and Midlans for Snooky Cowan. Pebble and Brown Eyed Grace are other leading hopes.

Ten of the 13 runners in the Maiden 3yo 1200m are on debut. Bad News Browne (Mosely) showed ability in his three starts as a two year old and will be hard to beat for Kevin Hughes. Debutants Champagne Needed (Laking) for Shane Kennedy and Mt Difficulty (Izuan) for Shane Marr both won heir trials at Ashburton in July. Georgies Girl (Bullard) has the ace draw and also won her trial that day for Terri Rae. O’Reilly filly The Dewdrop could be worth a bet for Steve Anderton, while McDonald is booked to ride ll Poverino for Kevin Myers.

Plan Be (R Bishop) will be very hard to beat in the Maiden 1400m for Daniel Champion after being caught late in his last two outings. The same combination will have Lord Doug at short odds in the Maiden 1200m.

1. Plan Be
2. Lord Doug
3. Dunn's Creek
4. Bad News Browne
5. Irish Charmer
6. Soph
7. Redwood
8. Cee Gee Jay
9. Renee Maree
10. Arctic Ace
11. Ishiaroyal