Need an insider tip? Keen to know how the track is shaping up?
Here's your preview to our upcoming raceday, complete with Craig Baker's thoughts on the day's feature race.
Track update
At the time of writing (Thursday 31 December), the track is rated a Dead 5 after 15 mms of irrigation was applied last night.
With a dry day today, the track is likely to be a Dead 4 tomorrow morning. There are 3mms of rain forecast tomorrow which may have an impact, but the track should be no worse than a Dead 6.
Here's what our track manager Jason Fulford had to say about the track earlier today:
Feature race preview
Race 9 | Sistema Railway | Group I | $200,000 | 1200m | OPN-SW&P| 5.28pm
A renewal that lacks depth compared to previous editions. However, there are a couple of standouts. Those being Levante and Avantage.
It is no secret that Avantage is vulnerable first up so, for that reason, I am with Levante. The daughter of Proisir was exceptional when winning at Counties at her last start and, while barrier one is not ideal, given her lack of early speed, I expect her superior turn of foot will be the difference. The dangers are, of course, Avantage and last year’s winner Julius that will get a soft lead.
More good things to know about the SkyCity New Year's Day Races:
Gates open: 11.00am
First race: 12.44pm
Last race at Ellerslie: 6.08pm
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Click the box below to download the day's speed maps
Need some tips?
Sponsorship Manager Bill Heap rates:
Race 6 - SkyCity Auckland Guineas - Tellall (2)
Race 7 - Rich Hill Mile - Prise De Fer (1)
Race 9 - Sistema Railway - Levante (10)
Mark Claydon rates:
Race 7 - Rich Hill Mile - Prise De Fer (1)
Race 8 - SkyCity City of Auckland Cup - In A Twinkling (2)
Race 9 - Sistema Railway - Avantage (2)