By Nick Berney
Coffs Harbour hosts an exciting card on Thursday with multiple lightly raced improvers engaged, none fitting that bill better than three-year-old Cavente.
The John Sprague-trained galloper contests the Moonee Beach Hotel F&M Showcase Maiden Handicap (1000m) and is poised to break through for her maiden win.
The filly saw a dry track for the first time at Port Macquarie when first-up and was heavily backed late in the trade $12-$6.50.
She chased a fast tempo throughout and tried hard to hold on for third place.
Further, there was a considerable margin to fourth, and the form has since been confirmed with a subsequent winner coming of the race.
She is still learning and must contend with a tricky draw, but if she gets luck expect her to be hard to hold out.
Miss Statement looms as a key danger and is ready to peak fourth up with a more favourable set-up.
The Kris Lees-trained galloper led at a fast pace and battled on well when running second at Quirindi last start.
In addition, that race rated highly relative to the day, and the mare will appreciate a drier surface.
It is worth noting that jockey Ben Looker is in fantastic form, riding 18 winners from his past 100 rides at a profit on turnover of 32.1 per cent.
Nanakorobi Yaoki will be looking to make it back-to-back wins after a solid effort to score at Ballina last start.
The six-year-old is the early favourite for the Kadmium Art & Design Supplies Benchmark 58 Showcase Handicap – Rising Star (1200m).
She produced a career peak in her previous start and did it on both ends. Moreover, she led at a strong tempo and then sprinted one of the quickest final 200m splits of the meeting.
The mare receives a significant barrier change, maps to have all favours and brings the best recent figures.
Her trainer Fleur Blanch has an elite record when bringing horses to Coffs Harbour, posting a 35.3-per-cent strike rate at the track.
Havieron could be the big improver after having factors against him first-up and he can rate to win.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
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