NZ 2000 GUINEAS G1

RACE 8 - 1600m

TAJANA / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION / HE WHO DARES

The DARCI BRAHMA filly TAJANA ran three starts as a three-year-old this season for two G3 victories, capturing the Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka mid August and the Sunline Vase (1400m) at Ellerslie in September, when getting one over the gifted LOLLAPALOOZA. Trainer Stephen Marsh was suitably impressed with both performances, the latter a powerhouse display which indicates the mare has come along in leaps and bounds this prep. Likely to have improved on since WELL WRITTEN ripped the Soliloquy field a new one, although 3rd from an awkward gate chasing hard wasn't a terrible result. Rock hard fit, drawn perfectly, Soft or worse not an issue, all quality, and looks the obvious pick in one with Grylls up.

☆☆☆☆

Pam Gerard pulled off a major upset when her talented filly AFFIRMATIVE ACTION came out and smashed a nice field in the Sir Colin Meads Trophy at massive odds. The YES YES YES filly showed enough at the trials and finished 3rd to TO BRAVERY BORN at Taupo, so wasn't exactly flying under the radar. Gerard is delighted to have another classy three-year-old in her Matamata stable, having guided fellow Karaka graduate SAVAGLEE to win the G1 NZ 2000 Guineas and three G2 races last season. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION was close up to TAJANA, then both were blown away by WELL WRITTEN in the Soliloquy, so went down a different path with strong effort at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup day. Wide gate, although Rooke will have time to weigh up his options and likely to power home hard.

☆☆☆

HE WHO DARES hasn't had too many things go his way in the two runs this prep, but if you can forgive his last start where he completely blew the start, the SNITZEL colt is right in this. Held up trying to find space at the 200m in the Sir Colin Meads at Ellerslie won by AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, and he powered home late when finally clear. The start of the race at Tauranga was not ideal, as he stumbled out of the gates and was a mile behind the leaders. However, the stylish colt demonstrated remarkable fortitude in the final section, ultimately securing a commendable fourth place and probably a bit juiced at the line. Ran close up behind an exceptional stablemate as a two-year-old, so the talent is there, just needs to get his mind on the job and build momentum. Can win as his mother was a good one.

☆☆

NEW ZEALAND CUP G3

RACE 10 - 3200m

I'M A DIRTY RASCAL / WOLFGANG / JUST CHARLIE

I'M A DIRTY RASCAL can absolutely win the New Zealand Cup on Saturday for Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson as he is bred to smash out the two miles and displayed his credentials when winning the Road to the Jericho (3000m) down here last start. Did little in the build up before a 5th at Taupo over 2600m, although now at peak staying fitness and the stable claim it was hard to pull him up in trackwork last week as he virtually did another round without flinching. The eight-year-old GALILEO gelding was imported to Australia from the UK after running 4th in the Irish St Leger (2816m), but never really produced much in Group company. Well placed here with the fresh legs and a nice weight + Grylls aboard, so take seriously.

☆☆☆☆

The Peter & Shaun McKay WOLFGANG returned from a failed attempt at Melbourne Cup qualification, finishing last first-up over 1700m at Flemington before backing up seven days later at Caulfield where he finished 12th in the Gr.3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m), although his sectionals from the half mile were strong. No go in the Bart Cummings before returning home. Won the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) early in 2025, overpowering the opposition, then the NZ St Leger (2600m) on his favoured Trentham track storming home. Resumed with victory in the Waikato Cup Prelude, so he is in top shape and trackwork suggests the proven stayer has made excellent progress since his return to form at Te Rapa, and even with clear topweight he will take some beating on Saturday with Joe Doyle aboard. False odds.

☆☆☆

The brutally tough, Myers-trained JUST CHARLIE was well-rated out in front by visiting jockey Logan Bates when taking out the Metropolitan (2600m) at Riccarton last week and will comes into this as the form horse with the best credentials. The resilient stayer won at Waverley in similar fashion when leading over 2200m in October, and he did win the 3000m Road to the Jericho down at Riccarton in October 2024, so this testing trip shouldn't be an issue. The six-year-old son of ZED boasts a robust staying pedigree which he exhibits in his powerful, free-running style as an endurance specialist. Likely to dish it up to them from the jump, set a firm tempo, and attempt to run them off their feet over two miles.

☆☆

STEWARDS STAKES (L)

RACE 6 - 1200m

PLATINUM ATTACK / TIKKI / THIRD DECREE

The Latta-trained sprinter PLATINUM ATTACK was good enough to run 4th in a Railway to CROCETTI earlier in the year, so we know the SANTOS gelding can certainly pack a punch. Only four runs since then, with a tough run in the Gr.1 BDC Sprint, a 2nd to GLAMOUR TYCOON in the Lightning Handicap at Trentham, before a 6th in April. Fine 1000m trial at Manawatu a month ago and sure to be well primed by the team after a brilliant fresh up win. Seems the perfect target race, soft gate, Grylls aboard  - everything points towards a repeat winning performance. Scored a firm tempo last week and barrelled home with supreme sprinting nous to win in fine style. Arrives with the same attitude, then well within him to blow them away again with this weight, although a really wet track the concern.

☆☆☆☆

TIKI demonstrates exceptional skills on the course and at the distance, making her a prime chance. Races are always well spaced, however last prep the PER INCANTO mare has looked very tidy. Won at Otago over 1400m before finishing 3rd over 1000m at Riccarton. Battled on Boxing Day at Otago, although that was on a Heavy 10 and she needs it relatively firm to perform. She is a nicely bred mare trained by Steven Prince at Wingatui, and looks ready to take advantage of this opportunity on a Good track. Solid odds, but a very progressive southern sprinter who likes to lead and could hold the sway nearing the post. Serious consideration as the new horse to the Cup Carnival, with Tina.com on fire Wed.

☆☆☆

Willing to give THIRD DECREE another chance after blundering the start in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders (1400m) last Saturday. A power of consistency, the WAR DECREE mare won at Ashburton last year before fighting hard for 2nd in the 2024 Breeders. Resumed in the Autumn and won over the mile here before suffering on a Heavy 10 Riccarton track. 2nd to KA YING LUCKY in August, before a 3rd over 1200m at Ashburton from a tough gate, although the team had set her up nicely for last week. Home course advantage, dynamic at best on a Good surface and set for a smooth trip in transit if jumps ok. Will really need to fire up that last bit and Weatherley gets the boot for Stackhouse. Can bounce back, but facing a class sprinter.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 1400m

ON THE TOWN / BETTY SPAGHETTI / IFFIDIDIT

Willing to forgive and forget ON THE TOWN went around for Stephen Marsh down here last Saturday, and that was merely the warm up act for this. Settled midfield and trapped in restricted room with nowhere to go. Game winning at Ellerslie over 1400m the run prior after a decent 3rd to begin the prep at Tauranga. Third up you would imagine the BLUE POINT gelding will be in the perfect condition to run a huge race, but he will need to stay out of trouble and find some clear air once turning in. Grylls on again should help his chances with the $11 seemingly at overs. Willing to suggest he is the top value bet on the card.

☆☆☆☆

Anna Furlong trains BETTY SPAGHETTI, who has been just fair in the two runs back, although was well prepped toward the Stewards but went this way at the 1400m instead as a more obtainable goal and a better fit. The STRATUM STAR mare produced a big run wide to claim the Great Easter Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton to finish her Autumn prep, and defeated THIRD DECREE over 1400m at Ashburton. Any rain a bonus, which is unlikely, although she had delivered on a Good 4 previously and versatile enough to fire up late with room to move. May find it hard to win this, but can land a place.

☆☆☆

IFFIDIDIT comes right into calculations if the predicted rain arrives and the IFFRAAJ gelding has a fantastic strike rate, with three wins on the course and strong distance stats. Suited by a firm tempo and only needs to wind up with some real purpose to get into the finish. The Anna Furlong trained horse was good running on late for 3rd over 1600m at Ashburton last start and coming back in trip shouldn't be an issue. Sweet weight, will go back but look for him launching the last bit down the outside. Some faith required, although a winning stable capable of getting them up and if it dips towards the Heavy, then beware.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 82 HANDICAP

RACE 2 - 2600m

ROSSO / STEAL MY THUNDER / MOUSSAIEFF

How impressive was ROSSO for the Pitman's in his NZ debut, winning in fine style over 2200m at Ashburton and looking every part a high quality stayer. Regardless, a lacklustre Weatherley ride last Saturday gave him little chance over 2000m when dropping well back, winding up far too late with a mountain to climb. Michael Pitman had been looking overseas for a nice horse to bring south and paid $47,000 online on behalf of connections, which seems a bargain. The CAMELOT gelding out of a FASTNET ROCK mare was sound in the UK before running 2nd over 2450m at Geelong and 4th over 2400m at Sandown. Seems happy in his new life and a genuine staying star likely to feature.

☆☆☆☆

The big grey STEAL MY THUNDER was tremendous in the way in which he won on Wednesday, and if the Thurlow/O'Malley team back up here, then the mare has to be a chance. The big question is what has it taken out of her, although she won with some purpose and seemingly did it with ease. The DERRYN mare had been building nicely after a 3rd at Waverley and 4th up at Tauherenikau after winning over the mile at New Plymouth. They really put the polish on for Wednesday though and she is a powerful unit, well capable of going back-to-back. Keep very safe as a similar effort has her right in it, although this is a big step up from 1800m and a big test of character.

☆☆☆

The Keiza Murphy trained MOUSSAIEFF was a bit ordinary the last two, but could find more if able to switch on and focus better. Ran 3rd here over 2000m, then at Ashburton over 2200m, before just looking disinterested in the Road to the Jericho over 3000m. Really wasn't in that race, restrained early then settling too far back. The stable tried blinkers last start and went forward, but that didn't work either, although down on 52kg and only needs to settle into stride midfield without too much pressure to offer up a more positive effort. Better horse then what we've seen recently, so allow another chance.

☆☆

RATING 75 HANDICAP

RACE 11 - 1600m

KELLANZOR / CONNELLO / MAYBE DIVA

Sam Wynne can get KELLANZOR across the line first here after a decent effort getting home well for 4th over 1400m at Riccarton, then winning over 1600m at Ashburton. Too good over 1150m at Gore in February, then got up over 1400m after coming wider on the turn at Canterbury. Bit keen in the next two before a spell, however, the ALMANZOR mare is out of KELLY O'REILLY (O'Reilly), a fine racemare who won the Triton Plate at Tauranga and the Auckland and Waikato Breeders. KELLANZOR was forced wide when bumped out of it at the 400m on the first day, so willing to allow another chance here as a fully fit specimen. Possibly haven't seen the best of her just yet, but now looks ready for another big run. Multimaker.

☆☆☆☆

PEQUOT was impressive winning for trainer Lance Robinson here over the mile two weeks ago, and by all accounts has come on nicely during the interim. Defeated a couple of good ones in MISS FIREBALL and AIRPARK HUSTLER, offering up a big finish from midfield after an awkward run. Came home well for 3rd at Ashburton over 1400m, indicating the VANBRUGH gelding was building towards some positive form. He is out of a solid Southern SAVABEEL mare, so the mile now should suit perfectly. Another at big odds who can feature with a sweet run in transit. Nice upset chance in the last.

☆☆☆

Love an Andrew Carston special in the last, and his lightly raced mare MAYBE DIVA has a fair amount of ability that could see her feature. Ironically only one letter off the great MAYKBE DIVA which she isn't, but handy enough in the south to win after only one run at Ellerslie in May. Won her maiden over 1400m here in her stable debut, then really gor her skates on to win over 1200m at Riccarton in October with a fine display. Powered home from the rear to finish 2nd over 1400m last start, with strong closing sectionals in both runs. The SWISS ACE mare only needs to settle into a gentle stride and aim to repeat the same big finish to be right in the frame.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 1200m

LEGALLY BINDING / PLATINUM PANTHEON / KOSTA

The Walker/Bergerson gelding LEGALLY BINDING comes into this with a nice freshen up after a win over 1200m here at the Riccarton in late October which may see him ready to fire. Finished 2nd to SAY SATONO in August and runner-up to GRAEME JOHN over the same trip at Timaru. Very sharp this time last year when winning on the Cambridge synthetic (970m), then held on over 1200m at Ellerslie. Obviously come south looking for a Stakes victory with this race the stables main target this spring. The EXCEEDANCE gelding is lightly raced, but has an abundance of sprint ability and just needs to turn it up a notch on Saturday to be competitive. Not discounting as a live win chance.

☆☆☆☆

Lisa Latta brought PLATINUM PANTHEON down to compete on day one and the three-year-old HANSETIC gelding dealt to them in a big way over 1200m. Showed little over the winter as a two-year-old, apart from a fair 3rd to SPANDEEDO at Hawera, but returned a much stronger horse after a spell. Won a trial before a strong maiden win at Ashburton in October. This contest is a serious step up in class, and drawn very wide, although it's hard to knock winning form along with the way in which the gelding won on Saturday. Gains a few breaks here then sure to be running on with the same purpose.

☆☆☆

KOSTA could threaten coming out of the Mike Breslin stable as a progressive WAR DECREE sprinter also coming off a sound win. The gelding possesses a robust pedigree as shown when unwinding late to defeat CASHLA BAY at Waverley in April. Was around the mark when 3rd at Trentham over the mile in May, but acted greenly going off stride and hung around the bend. Potentially matured throughout a six month spell and resumed with a game finish to win at Trentham over 1000m after being held up briefly near the 150m. Not ruling him out here from this gate with Sam Collett in the saddle.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1400m

WYWORRY / AIRPARK HUSTLER / TOMMY SHELBY

The John Wheeler trained WYWORRY came out and dicked them down here last week over 1400m, and we see no reason why he can't repeat the dose. The COMPLACENT gelding was strong when 5th at Otaki, then closed well behind THORAX over 1200m at New Plymouth. Settled back last Saturday before tracking up wider, then taking over without too much pressure. Only up a kilo in weight, Grylls rode him well and a repeat would be no surprise.

☆☆☆☆

AIRPARK HUSTLER was solid racking up another 3rd over the mile last start, but gets a significant jockey upgrade from the unpredictable Weatherley to Aussie Daniel Stackhouse. Super unlucky last week after they took the air muffs off which seemed to help. The WAR DECREE gelding improved wider for 3rd over 1200m here late October, before flying late along the fence behind PEQUOT at the latest. Broke his maiden in Jan, then finished 2nd in the Dunedin Guineas in March. Pitman's are on a high after MYSTIC PARK won the feature Wed, so well worth an E/W punt.

☆☆☆

TOMMY SHELBY set the pace and battled hard the first day over 1400m, and the TIVACI gelding should be better for that run. Took a while to win one after a string of second placings, but looked very handy winning at Otago on Boxing Day, then backed that up with victory over 1600m there in January. Ran 2nd to VANDERDONK over 1400m here in April, then came back from a winter spell with a couple of solid efforts. Not ruling out this Furlong trained gelding who can go a big one backing up here, and the odds are excellent. Can place.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 3 - 1400m

SPEED DIAL / ELEGANT EXPOSIVE / BELARDO ACE

Genuine odds avaliable on the Didham trained SPEED DIAL, who should be well primed to face this trip again. The TIME TEST mare has been pretty consistent since December, placing numerous times and racing within broken intervals. Finished 2nd over 1400m on a Heavy 10 at Ashburton in July, then won at Oamaru in the next. Slow away last start, however, the mare appears well-positioned and can make an impact with the right run through. This stable typically get it right.

☆☆☆☆

The SWEYNESSE mare ELEGANT EXPOSIVE is out of the Guillotine mare, ALWAYS EXPLOSIVE and trained by John & Karen Parsons at Balcairn. Finished 2nd by a whisker to SONNET in a Pearl Series Maiden, then got up to defeat SWEET ENVY at Wanganui with Harry Grace aboard. Came south and scored two runner-up slots on the Riccarton Synthetic, before another 2nd there in July. Drawn well with Myers aboard and only has to wind up powerfully as we saw in the north to get into the finish. Firm track the key.

☆☆☆

BELARDO ACE has come in for strong support in this and you cannot underestimate the Sabin Kirkland stable, although this wide draw does make it difficult. The four-year-old gelding is out of an Irish mare in SHE’S APPLES (Redoute’s Choice) and has taken a while to come right. Won at Otago in February over 1400m, then struggled in 3YO Guineas grade. Crowded and lost ground early resuming at the latest, but shifted wide to run into 4th place. Will need some luck, although can't fully rule out if manners improve.

☆☆

BEST BET: PLATINUM ATTACK

NEXT BEST: TAJANA

BEST VALUE: ON THE TOWN

WILDCARD: KELLANZOR