Track: Soft 6 Weather: Showers

Tough race to sort. Naval College will be fitter for the return run and is good enough for this field. Wyclif has put together back to back placings and is due for a win. Spirit Ridge can set the speed and the old timer goes well when left alone up front. Herman Hesse is good enough to be worth thought agains these while Nikau Spur maps well for Tim Clark and should give this a shake.

1. Spirit Ridge (8)

Has very good early speed. The old boy is in good form and can lead these up and prove hard to beat.

2. Herman Hesse (6)

Been up a while this prep but has plenty of class and capable of a big finish on his day. Can win.

3. Naval College (5)

Class act who was a pass mark when resuming. Strips fitter and is a major player in this from the kind draw.

4. Wyclif (9)

Deserves a win off the back of consecutive second placings. Drawn wide but rock hard fit and ready to win.

5. Dionysus (1)

Brings in some handy form and drawn the fence. Warrants thought in this.

6. Star Of India (7)

Can’t have.

7. Stockman (2)

Wants it wet. Only comes into play if that happens.

8. Nikau Spur (4)

Racing in great fashion. Maps well and narrowly denied back to back wins last time out. Big hope if repeating in this.

9. Akua’rius (10)

Can’t have.

10. Kirkeby (3)

Prefer others.

11. Balance Play (11)

This looks too tough.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Bryce Parker’s Tips
8 Nikau Spur
3 Naval College
2 Herman Hesse
4 Wyclif

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	8 Nikau Spur
2nd	2 Herman Hesse	0.13 length
3rd	3 Naval College	0.72 length
4th	11 Balance Play	1.9 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

There were no scratchings.