Bevan Sweeney: Ones to watch at Wanganui
Bevan Sweeney • September 20th, 2024 1:34 PM
Whanganui Preview
Race 1
3 Almakeitgood
Clearly a tough race with little disclosed form so the market movement will be the best guide. What we do know is that Allan Sharrock has them ready to go and she has won a couple of jump outs coming into her debut. Allan would have liked to have a trial with her so there will be improvement out of this, but the early money suggests she can win, and Allan indicated that she should be right there. Raceday experience is often key in these 2yo events so Ensign Aria will improve out of her debut and there was a fair bit of word for her a couple of weeks ago. Not a race you can bet with a lot of confidence especially on very Heavy ground so bet with caution here.
Selections 3,2,1,5
Race 2
1 Liberty Park
Here is a horse that looks fantastic value for me after a great performance on debut albeit green at Woodville where the winner has subsequently been sold offshore. He is a 3yo with a touch of class and one I put a circle around after watching his trial at Foxton mid-August. I think he will be more suited as he gets up in trip and on better ground, but Jim Wallace is a master at bringing a young horse through so stay with him throughout this preparation. Turn It Up has been scratched today after a soft trial win on Wednesday but she may be one to have something on in the Guineas at Riccarton, she is a very promising 3yo. Librero had plenty of support on at debut and lost the race at the start but still was good enough with a touch of improvement to give Allan a great chance of winning the first two on the day.
Selections 1,4,5,3
Race 3
11 Opawa Scarlett
There are half a dozen decent winning chances here and they offer you decent money on the odds boost. In my opinion, this mare put up one of the best performances of the day at her debut at Trentham. She was slow away from a wide draw, was forced to cut underneath runners in the worst of the ground and sprinted hard in an off-track beating Steal My Thunder who was in great form. She looked like a fit horse when I saw her at the trials recently and the prevailing track conditions are not a worry in my mind. Bella Timing should have won last start with a little more patience from the rider and with a slight gear change, she will continue her consistent form.
Selections 11,4,8,9
Race 4
3 Spencer
He has been the sprinting find of the winter in the Central Districts for local Erin Hocquard. Last start he was beaten late by a mare with Group One ability and apart from the run at Te Rapa, where it had excuses, he hasn’t put in a below par effort. He looks ideally suited with 51.5kg on his back, the draw will be of no concern by this time of the day, and he races well here. Kopua is a quality galloper who has been plagued by feet issues last season. With any luck he would have gone very close to winning the Coupland Mile. He looked forward at the trials Wednesday when 3rd under a hold and gets a very light weight today. No Rain Ever is the fresh horse and she has always been of well above average ability which should see her being competitive fresh up. Liffey just loves this place and has shown herself to be well capable in this type of race.
Selections 3,5,10.7
Race 5
3 Frank The Tank
This isn’t a race I’m strong on, but I think this fellow is the one to follow out of the race no matter how he performs today. He comes out of a trial recently when the handbrake was fully applied and the first two home should be very competitive in their fresh efforts. He was a little hit and miss last preparation but the good suggested that with a spell he was in for a good spring. Street Gossip was impressive fresh up from Australia in an ok field at Hawera, she hasn’t been seen for 7 weeks but the connections expect her to take a spot in the big sprints. Shez Dominant is a Black-type performer at Whanganui whose manners seem to be getting better and better which should see her find the line today.
Selections 3,1,11,13
Race 6
6 Jay Bee Gee
I really like the Winter Cup form coming into what is a strong edition of the Metric Mile. Jay Bee Gee of course was the winner of the Winter Cup and by the evidence of a trial on Wednesday, has lost none of his shine. He looks, in the speed map, to land outside the lead and with only the 53.5 kilos on his back and a winning record here, he looks very hard to beat. Bradman has been a model of consistency this campaign and some would argue that with a little more luck in the Winter Cup, could have been victorious. I’m still very respectful of the two old boys in Belardo Boy and Justaskme, who although they have to carry the weight today, have great records here and can win at good money.
Selections 6,4,1,3
Race 7
7 Comedy
Looks some of the better value on the programme and after seeing him at the trials on Wednesday he looks in fantastic condition. His run at Hastings was actually a lot better than many, would give him credit for running home in some competitive sectionals. He goes back onto a heavy track on Saturday which he should handle ok and should also allow him to land a little closer to the speed, he's an each way all day play. Indian Gold is a decent sort of stayer in the making in my mind and you will see the best of him next preparation, but he goes well enough to be very competitive here. Trainwreck can be exactly that with his manners during the run and often beats himself, but is a better horse than 65 grade if he can put things together .
Selections 7,1,6,5
Race 8
10 Who Knows
She will be the best bet around the country for many and for good reason after an unbelievable performance at Hastings. After being two lengths last in the run she reeled off some ridiculous sectionals on the day and that was with a very interrupted run in the home straight. The only thing I can see beating her is if the track is in a very rough condition by the last on the programme and she doesn’t handle it which can happen at Whanganui. I think she has all the ability to win a decent staying race this Sumer. Battle Secret has returned from injury in fine form, winning his last two without all favours. Crouch is a nice stayer and maybe the one who will enjoy the track the best of all as he seems to be a real mud lark.
Selections 10,3,5,6
Best Bet: Race 8 Who Knows
Next Best: Race 2 Liberty Park
Value: Race 4 Kopua
Picture at the Top of the Page: Bevan Sweeney's best bet for Wanganui, Who Knows. Credit: Race Images NZ
