It's Diamonds Day in Invercargill

It's Diamonds Day at Invercargill.  

With 11 races - the first starting just before midday - there is Group and other racing to enjoy throughout the day at Ascot Park. Racing journalist Jonny Turner has five horses that fans must keep an eye on.

Tabasco - Race 7 (2.58pm)

He's a rough and tumble type perfectly suited to the pressure of Diamonds Day racing. Tabasco is a country cups regular who drops down into a mobile rating race every now and then, where he usually thrives. He did just that in his last start, running a strong second. The key difference on Sunday is Tabasco has secured a big upgrade in draw. I expect him to be driven very positively from his good gate and for him to take plenty of holding out. 
Tabasco takes on a talented field, but that's nothing new and he looks better placed than all of his rivals.

Roger That - Race 5 (1.50pm) 

I said he was short the last time this horse made this column. And he didn't win by much of a margin at Winton last week, but he won easily enough all the same. Well he's not $1.20 this week, he opened out at comparatively luxurious $1.70 odds. Roger That looks perfectly poised from barrier 2, drawing inside his two key rivals in Chiggsy and Patriot. I expect driver Carter Dalgety to control the race from the outset and for Roger That to take all kinds of holding out.

Elektra King - Race 11 (5.13pm) 

Elektra King faces a massive step back in class in the Diamonds Day finale.
And it's not just from her recent starts. A year ago the pacer ran second in the Group 2 Southern Oaks. She's progressed since then and has been racing with good merit in strong mares' company. On Sunday, Elektra King will face the second lowest rated opposition on offer. Though she will need to be better than her opposition from barrier 12, she is right up to the challenge.

Turn N Burn - Race 3 (12.41pm)

So far she's been a relative letdown at the races, but she's back for a new campaign and hopefully ready to show what she's really made of. Turn N Burn looks very well placed from barrier 3 in Sunday's maiden race with her good gate speed. She disappointed under similar circumstances last campaign, but with more time and a clean slate she should improve on those efforts. If she can produce similar to what she has been showing in her recent trials she should be in front and take plenty of catching.

Princess Lisa - Race 1 (11.51am) 

Princess Lisa can start Diamonds Day favourite backers off on the right foot. She powered along the inner when only seeing daylight late in her last start second at Winton. This time Princess Lisa faces much the same line up at a track she's won at before. Most importantly, the four-year-old showed key early speed in that win which gives plenty of hope she won't be buried on the pegs like she was in her last start second. In an even field, Princess Lisa is a clear top pick.