Top picks for Invercargill today

The Northern Southland Trotting Club has provided a comprehensive betting guide for its Cup meeting at Ascot Park on Wednesday.

NSTC's Punting Picks - Race 1

Jordan Anne looks the way to go to start your Northern Southland Cup Day off on the right note.

In her last start, she was a mile off them on a leader’s track at Omakau and worked home nicely for sixth.

With a better draw here and a top driver on, I expect her to be very prominent.

In The Groove’s form says it all and I can’t add much more.

He deserves a win but on probabilities you lock him in for second in your Quinellas and Trifectas.

Stablemates Mixed Faith and Our Countdown both have the ability to feature in this race.

Donald Trump is a must include in First4 and Trifecta bets in an open race.

Selections: Jordan Anne (7), In The Groove (3), Mixed Faith (6), Our Countdown (4)

Suggested Bet: Jordan Anne (7) – Eachway

NSTC's Punting Picks - Race 2

Chezz Dale comes into this race following a good second off a bad draw at Winton.

Barrier 2 looks perfect for him, I expect him to lead and take plenty of chasing down.

Atarah should slot into a lovely spot behind Chezz Dale which makes her a decent win hope, but also a very strong option in Quinellas and Trifectas.

Rock My Mind is a strong eachway threat in this race and shouldn’t be underestimated.

Her last two starts have been on grass tracks, which she hasn’t appreciated.

Vigilante is needed by those taking Trifectas and First4s.

Selections: Chezz Dale (2), Atarah (1), Rock My Mind (5), Vigilante (9)

Suggested Bet: Chezz Dale (2) – Eachway

NSTC's Punting Picks - Race 3

There will be plenty of Speights On Tap at the Top Of The Park today and there’s a good chance the horse named after this beverage will be in the winner’s circle.

He steps up in grade after a maiden win at Roxburgh but looks well placed in this field.

Lou’s Deal is in a similar position, stepping up in grade after a good maiden win.

He looks a huge winning threat as well.

Nyla is another very consistent type and her good draw puts her right in contention.

Rakanotta looks next best, though Trifecta takers should also consider Onedin Hurricane.

Selections: Lou's Deal (10), Speights On Tap (1), Nyla (3), Rakanotta (7)

Suggested Bet: Speights On Tap (1) – Eachway

NSTC's Punting Picks - Race 4

Champion trainer Mark Purdon is in town and he is going to be a key man to follow today.

He can start his day off on the right note with Regal Attire who looks well placed in this field despite starting from the 25m back mark.

Jimmy Carter can be hard to follow but his last start win at Cromwell was excellent and he will be right in this with a repeat effort.

Peregrine is a lovely trotter who should give eachway backers a great run for their money.

Miss Crazed and Willangus Lad look next best.

Selections: Regal Attire (8), Jimmy Carter (10), Peregrine (9), Miss Crazed (11)

Suggested Bet: Regal Attire (8) – Win

NSTC's Punting Picks - Race 5

This race is almost a flip of the coin job between two very nice horses and it’s made tricky by both of them galloping in their last start.

Bollinger moves from grass tracks to the all weather which looks a big help, plus he has Purdon power on his side.

Watchlist was massive after an early break on debut at Winton, he’s a nice horse and he can test Bollinger.

Both are great options, so take your pick.

I expect Benji to be right there, he’s definitely a strong place and trifecta hope from his great draw.

Mary Austin went a huge race in her last start at Roxburgh, but she’s drawn in a tricky spot compared to the three mentioned above.

Selections: Bollinger (2), Watchlist (4), Benji (1), Mary Austin (7)

Suggested Bet: Bollinger (2) & Watchlist (4) - Quinella

NSTC's Punting Picks - Race 6

Draws look crucial in this even race and Ariella has come up with the best of them among the leading contenders.

She has the early and closing speed to make full use of barrier 4 and I expect her to take plenty of catching.

A Taste Of Honey has copped a tough spot in barrier 13, but it is far from the end of her chances, she’s big eachway hope.

Better’s Tart also has a tricky gate in barrier 7, her last start at Omakau was great and she’s right in this.

Meohmymartini gives away experience to many of her rivals but she has quality and can feature in the placings.

Ariella (4), A Taste Of Honey (13), Better's Tart (7), Meohmymartini (5)

Suggested Bet: Ariella (4) – Win

NSTC's Punting Picks - Race 7

Draws should play a crucial part again with Bettastar getting a huge upgrade from he last start at Omakau today.

Forget that run, from barrier 2 she should sit in a lovely spot and take heaps of catching.

Franco Stefan also has a great gate, he will be handy throughout and he’s a huge eachway hope.

Mr Cash Man loomed up to win his last start and broke late but he had been in great form before that.

Those taking Trifectas should consider Arnie’s Army and The Other Brother who should both be finishing on well from their tough draws.

Bettastar (2), Franco Stefan (4), Mr Cash Man (11), Arnies Army (14)

Suggested Bet: Bettastar (2) – Win

NSTC's Punting Picks - Race 8

Handicaps and form for this year’s NSTC Cup suggest Laver will be very hard to beat.

He has not only been running excellent races, he has a key head start on two of his main rivals from his 10m handicap.

One of them is Classie Brigade who was great in the Central Otago Cup, finishing just behind Laver, who was runner-up.

I expect One Change to run a big race, though punters should be weary this is his first standing start event.

Pace N Pride is a nice horse, but he didn’t show his true worth in his last start at Cromwell.

Expect him to bounce back on the all-weather track today, he’s a place hope.

For those taking wider Trifectas, consider Memphis Tennessee.

Selections: Laver (9), Classie Brigade (11), One Change (10), Pace N Pride (4)

Suggested Bet: Laver (9) – Win

NSTC's Punting Picks - Race 9

Sundees Son is an absolute superstar, but will pay a superstar’s win divvie.

But don’t let that put you off having a bet.

He paid $1.10 to win at Omakau but there was money to be made in the Quinellas, Trifectas and First4s around him.

Oscar Bonavena is in outstanding form and looks a strong quinella option with the favourite.

Andy Hall is another good quinella chance and an absolute must in Trifectas with the two backmarkers.

The rest of the field is very even, One Apollo looks the best fourth pick.

Whatever way you go, sit back and enjoy the day a champion came to Ascot Park.

Selections: Sundees Son (6), Oscar Bonavena (7), Andy Hall (3), One Apollo (1)

Suggested Bet: Trifecta – First: Sundees Son (6) Second & Third: Oscar Bonavena (7) & Andy Hall (3).

NSTC's Punting Picks - Race 10

Punters are faced with the most even of races to end their NSTC Cup Day.

Back any of the top four picks knowing you’ll get a good run for your money.

Harrison steps up from easier races where he has performed well without any luck.

He’s well placed in barrier 3 compared to several of his main rivals.

The Falcon is a nice horse and has had several trials to get him ready to run a big race.

Cheezel is a very honest mare who has raced better fields than this.

She could offer the best eachway value in this race.

Get Up N Dance is a very nice horse, he just needs to be within striking distance from his tough draw to be a big winning threat.

Selections: Harrison (3), The Falcon (5), Get Up N Dance (8), Cheezel (6)

Suggested Bet: Cheezel (6) – Eachway

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