THREE START AT TE AROHA TODAY

Today we have three starting at Te Aroha, kicking off with the second on the card – the Join Fiber Fresh 8th April Breeders Stakes Day race, we see Saint Finn stepping up to 1600m following his fantastic fresh-up run last time out over 1400m. From barrier 19, this smart son of Red Giant will need to find his feet early and we anticipate senior rider Mark Du Plessis slotting him into a position just off the pace before guiding him home for a solid finish.

Alakazam (pictured) is next up in Race 6, the Piako Rural Services 1200m jumping from barrier 4 with Michael Coleman aboard. This is a strong field with plenty of form through it, though the daughter of Per Incanto is in terrific order both physically and mentally and we think she is up to the company. We expect to see her make good use of the barrier draw to position herself in a handy spot just in behind the pace and use the home straight to finish strongly to the line.

In the final race of the day, we have Saffron Lady running in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race over 1600m. Barrier draw may not be exactly to her liking, though track conditions should suit and with the big long straight and some luck in running we hope to see her dig deep and show us what she’s made of.