Jason Teaz's tips for Auckland
Form analyst Jason Teaz casts his eye over the fields for Alexandra Park tonight.
Race 1
2 Fortunia
3 Mailman
6 Makara
1 Bankers Gold
FORTUNIA didn't help himself last week when rolling out under pressure but both Alexandra park runs have had merit. This is a slight drop back in quality tonight too. Top pick.
MAILMAN hasn't won here, but placed on three occasions. Since winning his maiden he has been far from disgraced in this grade.
MAKARA has been a good addition to northern racing having recorded a first and a second at Alexandra park. Has high gate speed so can offset the wide draw.
BANKERS GOLD has had no luck for a while. Found some good form in early January though and is capable of winning this if trailing.
SARANDON unbelievably hasn't started at Alexandra park before and this is start 32 tonight. Her sectionals last week at Cambridge were outstanding but the obvious concern is the right handed avoidance.
Race 2
5 The Honey Queen
8 Shes No Lady
10 Waitforever
9 Alta Sensation
THE HONEY QUEEN relished dropping out of age group company with an impressive win last week after leading throughout. The lead should be there for her again tonight. Hard to beat over this trip. Just ignore the 54.9 half in her winning figures. It wasn't.
Group one winning filly SHES NO LADY cops another average draw. Hard to win but she's class.
WAITFOREVER just got attacked deluxe last week. Doesn't have to lead though and can rough it. Needs a hot speed to win.
ALTA SENSATION was only fair last week. Had won a trial reasonably well prior, so give another go from the inside second row draw.
Given it's a mile KAYLA MAGUIRE POCKET BOOK are place chances from their draws.
Race 3
9 Call Me Trouble
8 Rain Mist And Muscle
7 Special Way
1 Mountain Mass
CALL ME TROUBLE has been incredible in the north. Has been passed the line first four times in five starts. 30m won't be much of a test in this field the way he steps away.
RAIN MIST AND MUSCLE just got run off her feet in the Waikato breeders stakes last Saturday. Prior form was outstanding and was able to win off a 15m handicap three starts ago.
SPECIAL WAY is an up and comer. Smashed them last week over 2200m. His only run over 2700m was a forgive as he got checked at the 300m mark. Has a huge chance.
MOUNTAIN MASS has a big motor but few good manners at this point. Barrier one is a curveball for him however it's where he started when winning his maiden. The 2700m start point will suit him. Can stay too.
LIASON chased home Kimkar Dash January 22 in what was his best right handed run in a long time. This is much tougher though.
Race 4
6 Krug
5 Matt Damon
3 Aladdin
4 Warloch
KRUG was surprisingly beaten last Friday but the champion age group pacer has to get back to winning ways tonight. Only run down by a horse with freakish speed late.
MATT DAMON was good enough to run fourth in an Auckland cup but hasn't risen to that level again since. Had every show last week and should only be running for second here.
ALADDIN won the Harness Million December 31 and has since changed stables. Missed a race last week that didn't get off the ground so hence he's here tonight. Won a workout with a cushy run January 29 to fit him for his resumption.
WARLOCH suffered a punctured tyre from the eventual winner in a Cambridge cup heat January 28. That blunted his finish so forgive him for that. Will be flashing home late.
HOT AND TREACHEROUS has been good in his last two softer Cambridge runs. Both in rough and tumble stand races and you couldn't fault his Cambridge cup run. Minors do look best here though.
Race 5
3 Alta Wiseguy
2 Commander Cathy
4 Last Tango In Heaven
5 Cya Art
ALTA WISEGUY was rolled last week as favorite. May have improved with the run and expect him to find his favoured position in front tonight like he did at the trials.
COMMANDER CATHY is drawn to trail whoever she wants tonight. Continues to find one better but is a must for exotic bets tonight.
LAST TANGO IN HEAVEN started his career well with two placings in two starts in the winter as a late two year old. Second at the trials January 29 to Alta Wiseguy.
CYA ART did battle in sires stakes heats and the like in September and got a placing last time out in a four horse field. Trial form has been OK, the best run being a third behind Alta Wiseguy and Last Tango In Heaven.
Race 6
4 Ruby Ridge
8 Who's Queen
3 Molly Belle
5 Cepheus
RUBY RIDGE has been a frustration in what seems like forever. Just found too much trouble again last week but has the aid of the mobile tonight. Senior driver goes on too. Should finally win.
WHO'S QUEEN was fantastic in defeat to Bohemian Rhapsody last Friday. The mobile does the opposite for her, it blunts her excellent stand start manners but clearly has more ability than most here.
MOLLY BELLE blew the start in her first run last week. Still on the improve but should relish the mobile and quality of the field.
CEPHEUS has been slightly more reliable lately. The mid race gallop was extremely costly at Cambridge last time. Can win as she has always promised a win.
WILLIS GRAHAM is on debut. Did have a mobile trial at Pukekohe two days ago and was safe and fast off the mobile so that will stand him in good stead for this. A well beaten second but that was behind Mufasa Metro. An each way chance.
Best Bet: Race 5 (3) Alta Wiseguy
Each Way Value: Race 6 (4) Ruby Ridge
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