Sectionals stars for Addington's big Friday night

By Brittany Graham 

Tomorrow night’s Kidney Kids Race Night at Addington is stacked with immense quality and very competitive betting contests.

When it comes to finding a winner, sectional data can often highlight a ‘hidden gem’ that may have visually flown under the radar. Here are a couple of horses to follow tomorrow evening, who were sectional stars at their last assignment.

Race 4 – Taumutu Lad

One of the most consistent performers in the Canterbury region, Taumutu Lad continues to light up the sectional statistics. His performance for sixth on September 11 was superb on the clock - recording his last 800m in 55.5seconds, 400metres in 26.8 seconds and his last 200metres in 13.2seconds. He backed that up with a solid third last week, and from an improved draw this time around, he looks a wonderful each-way play.

Race 5 – Luvavici

Speaking of consistency, Luvavici has found himself in the top three in 15 of his 22 career starts. He added a sixth win to the haul when successful here a fortnight ago in emphatic fashion. The Paul Nairn-trainee ran his last mile in a very slick 1.58.4 rate in the 2600m standing start event, with a particularly quick portion recorded between the 1800m and the 1400m mark. He steps up in grade tomorrow night but keeps raising the bar and has race fitness on his side.

Race 7 – Master McGoogan

This exciting Matthew Williamson-trained trotter is in search of more feature race success when he lines up in the Greg & Leigh Ayers ‘The Sundon’ 2YO Classic tomorrow night. The eyes don’t lie, and his first up second was exceptional – it was also backed up on timings. Despite being forced to come wide and not trotting at his absolute best late, the son of What The Hill recorded a last 400m split of 28.4seconds. He again has a wide draw to overcome but looks one of the top seeds in a wonderful group of juvenile trotters.

Race 9 – One Over Da Line

If you are looking for a roughie bet in the Tactical Approach DG Jones Banks Peninsula Cup, then it is this guy on sectionals alone. First up a fortnight ago he recorded excellent metrics despite being off the fence and chasing, including a 57.3sec last half and a 28.4sec last quarter after coming off a 25metre handicap. It has been a lengthy amount of time since he has been afforded the front tape, and with reliability his key asset, he may give some of his higher credentialed rivals something to think about.

Race 10 – Stumblin In and Eun Sogno

Jumal’s return is holding most of the spotlight for the Wai Eyre Farm Lazarus 3YO Stakes, but race fitness and sectional times may have a part to play for this duo. Stumblin In roared back into winning form last week when making a sustained run from back in the field, recording a 55.4sec last half and 26.9sec last quarter off the track. Of course this is a stronger race, but he has the coveted inside draw and possesses great speed. And while Eun Sogno’s winning run came to an end last week when fifth, sectionally he was nearly the standout of the card. After drawing wide and settling back, the Dalgety-trainee ran his last mile in 1.56.8, and his half and quarter in 56.5seconds and 26.8sec respectively. He was also relatively untested late and was likely to have more if the space arrived.