SUNLINE VASE 3YOF

RACE 8 - 1400m SW

LOLLAPALOOZA / LITTLE BLACK DRESS / TAJANA

The way in which Vinny Colgan carved a path through the middle of the field with LOLLAPALOOZA in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes at Ellerslie was incredibly impressive and she really did a hatchet job on a high quality field. Held up early in the straight, but it made no difference with a powerful sprint to eat up ground like a rocket. The EL ROCA filly looked handy as a 2YO, then flew late behind IN HASTE at Taupo resuming. The Richardson/Norvall team have an absolute beauty on their hands, and if she jumps away a little better, then watch out, but it may make no difference.

☆☆☆☆☆

The Stephen Marsh runner, LITTLE BLACK DRESS is a lovely SNITZEL filly by the STREET CRY mare STAR FASHION, who was a good Stakes performer and ran 2nd in the Gr.1 SA Oaks at Morphettville in 2014. She is out of the brilliant mare, ELEGANT FASHION (Danewin), a G1 Winner of the HK Derby and multiple times Stakes placed in Australia and Hong Kong. The Marsh filly has these strong characteristics, as displayed when winning on debut at Pukekohe, before getting up late in the Listed Starway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie in March, then put away for the winter. Travelled three wide without cover in the Gold Trail and best to forgive.

☆☆☆

TAJANA is a fine DARCI BRAHMA filly from the Ritchie/Murray barn who has displayed some genuine ability in five starts and could be even better this prep. Solid finish on debut to finish 2nd to RETURN TO CONQUER in the Gr.3 Jillings Classic, before finding extra to beat home HOSTILITY at Matamata. Finished 3rd to LA DORADA in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires before a winter spell. Resumed where he left off, winning the Gr.3 Northland Breeders and looking every part a classy customer. Gets a nice clean run here then sure to be powering up late. Has the ability to win some big races.

☆☆

THREE-YEAR-OLD C&G

RACE 3 - 1400m SW&P

STORM FRONT / CHURMATT / PAPPARAZZI

Tony Pike's SNITZEL three-year-old STORM FRONT secured an impressive victory in his debut at two, but unfortunately experienced cardiac arrhythmia when unplaced in the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m). Defeated the tidy Te Akau runner BELLE DU MONDE and Karaka Millions placegetter, VEGA FOR LUCK, so certainly no slouch on the dance floor. The colt is out of the nice racemare, INDECISION (Per Incanto) who was a solid Stakes performer. One soft jumpout, then snagged back before running on late from a wide draw in the Sir Colin Meads Trophy at Ellerslie two weeks ago. Allow another chance.

☆☆☆☆

The fine son of CHURCHILL in CHURMATT demonstrated considerable ability during the trials, notably winning his 850m heat at Te Awamutu last month, and ending up co-fave for the 1230m race at Arawa Park. Under jockey Michael McNab, he jumped well from his ace barrier and was able to maintain his advantage on the fence. McNab urged Churmatt to accelerate, and he responded swiftly, then extended his lead, ultimately winning by 3L ahead of stablemate, SWISS PRINCE. 2nd behind the classy PLATINUM DIAMOND in the Wanganui Guineas last start, so he looks a good speed horse, is well educated with a firm grounding is likely to run well.

☆☆☆

Willing to forgive PAPPARAZZI on her first up debut effort, as the SAVABEEL gelding was slow away at Te Rapa, then checked and inconvenienced at the 350m which cost him any chance. Quite impressive for trainer Pam Gerard in his intial trial over 800m at Avondale, picking up smoothly and looking very good to the eye. Not bothered in the second one, but willing to move forward and say he has some future potential. The Waikato Stud-bred gelding, originating from the ENGLISH ROSE mare line (MAFKI), presents an opportunity to enhance his performance and deliver a significantly improved result.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 2100m

TRAV / LET FLY / CANHEROC

Hard to find a knock on TRAV who charged home out wide to claim the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie, in what was one of the most scintillating performances on Champions day. The five-year-old ALMANZOR gelding offered up a big finish to roll over the top of the powerful Australian pair, TAJANIS and INTERPRETATION in bold fashion and rack up his first Group win. The solid finish for 4th in the Wellington Cup was an indication of things to come and proved he is a true two-miler. Fine resuming run for 4th a Wanganui on a Heavy 10, so look for him storming down the outside late. Should have recovered suitably and may relish moving up to this kind of distance. Odds are well off the mark.

☆☆☆☆

Willing to allow the team Fahy trained mare LET FLY a fair chance with a nice effort resuming. Ran in the Auckland Cup (3200m) prior, where the competition was pretty fierce. Same deal in the Avondale Cup, but was going fairly well and holds a great sprint if saved for one big run. Drew clear over 2400m at Ellerslie last September, then struggled to find any dash in the next two. Travelled second on the outer and won the sprint home over 2400m, before a game run for 3rd in the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup. Battled well for another 3rd, with all seven runs competed at Auckland. Ridden along on a genuine tempo then could be thereabouts turning in.

☆☆☆

CANHEROC resumed with a first class run for 2nd to SON OF SUN over 1600m at Te Aroha, suggesting he is in for a good campaign and can go one better here. Slow to begin but tracked wider and came home very well. Finished 3rd to MEHZEBEEN in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton in November, with some dominate lead-up staying efforts in the Egmont Cup, Waverley Cup and Waikato Cup Prelude. Has finished 3rd in the Wellington Cup, and won a Marton Cup, so the Central Districts really is his stomping grounds. Can turn around and win another, with Chris Wood backing him up here after a 6th at New Plymouth last Saturday.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 9 - 1400m

CAPTURED BY LOVE / TARDELLI / CANNON HILL

The Te Akau trained CAPTURED BY LOVE experienced a barnstorming three-year-old season before failing to make an impact with two runs at Flemington once crossing the Tasman. A brilliant 2YO season was followed by a 2nd to ALABAMA LASS in the Gold Trail, then 3rd to SAVAGLEE in the Hawkes Bay Guineas. Determined finish to take out the NZ 1000 Guineas at Riccarton, before an average effort for 7th place in the Railway on Champions Day. Nevertheless, fresh up we expect the powerful chestnut to offer up a powerful return as the WRITTEN TYCOON mare oozes class and will likely give it some jandal on straightening.

☆☆☆☆

TARDELLI is a good one from the Marsh stable who came along nicely last prep, culminating in a big finish for 2nd to Doctor Askar in the Gr.3 Easter Handicap before running 8th in the Gr.1 Queensland Guineas. Started life out in Australia before winning on his New Zealand debut, then close up in the Levin Classic and Uncle Remus, before a stonking finish from well back to win the Windsor Park Trophy stylishly on Champions Day at Ellerslie. The I AM INVINCIBLE horse can go to another level this prep and a recent trial win suggests he is well on target. Be crazy to underestimate his ability, especially coming out of this barn.

☆☆☆

CANNON HILL comes out of the of the strong Tony Pike yard and made a bright return for 5th here two weeks ago. The ARDROSSAN gelding bred by Waikato Stud has been a model of consistency and has rarely finished out of the money. Won here with a big finish over 1400m last Nov, then resumed in April at Te Rapa, almost catching KARMAN LINE over 1400m, before proving too strong stepping up to the mile there. He is out of a PINS mare and if you throw O'REILLY into the mix, the pedigree reads very well. Good while fresh up, claims 3kg with Sam McNab in the saddle and his Ellerslie record is pretty sound. Tends to get back early, however from this gate likely to gain some cover and fire up late, plus should strip a tad sharper.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 10 - 1600m

ELLE SOURIT / TEXAS / THIS TIME GIRL

Looks a really nice type this ELLE SOURIT from the Forsman stable, and the OCEAN PARK mare is yet to taste defeat in her three starts. Won on debut at Hawera with a big finish over 1400m, then reared and settled well back before coming wide to win again. Came back in August and dealt to some quality horses over 1500m at Te Rapa and the mare does seem to possess a ton of grunt. Sure to go well over further, although this trip suits perfectly from the ace draw, with a soft run back in the field likely. Could make it four and be simply too good for them.

☆☆☆☆

We thought TEXAS could be well primed to run a big race at Ellerslie on a better track two weeks ago, and he proved he was ready to go when bursting through the pack to win after being held up on the turn. Three runs up at Ruakaka weren't too bad as the RUBICK gelding was screaming out for some firm footing. Showed his ability in Australia and now he has found his winning mojo for Nic Bishara, the horse could go on with it now. Suitably fit with Cartwright in the saddle and the odds are generous.

☆☆☆

Hollie Wynyard provided a nice training feat to get her CONTRIBUTER mare THIS TIME GIRL up to win fresh up over 1400m at Taupo a month ago. Raced in some good three-year-old company, winning her maiden over 1400m here last October, then 3rd to HINEKAHA in the Listed Oaks Prelude at New Plymouth. Top effort for 2nd to ISLAND LIFE in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) and she has progressed as a nice stayer in the making. Should really enjoy getting out to the mile and poses a threat to the fave.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 1200m

PART TIME LOVER / HINEKAHA / MO CHARAID

The Cody Cole trained PART TIME LOVER is a truly gifted SWISS ACE mare who has been right amongst it as a lightly raced type. Looked very good with two runner up slots to begin her career in late 2023, before winning a maiden over 1200m at Woodville with some authority. 4th and 3rd in the North with only three runs in 2024, then didn't race again for another 11 months. Finished third, then second at Ellerslie over 1200m on resumption in the Autumn before winning at Ruakaka, but overracing a bit. Could go on with it this spring and worth following throughout the season.

☆☆☆

The performance of the Forsman-trained 4YO HINEKAHA demonstrated her qualities as a fine three-year-old filly last season. The SAVABEEL mare won a Pearl Series maiden at 1200m in November before running on strongly for 3rd behind CHECKMATE in the Listed Armco 3YO Stakes (1500m) here at Ellerslie. Finished 2nd to the same horse over the same trip in January after a slow beginning, then pounced late for an easy win in the Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth. Failed to find a sprint in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) to finish her campaign. Moved very smoothly to lead all the way in a Taupo jumpout and seeking a stable surface to resume on.

☆☆☆☆

MO CHARAID has come along nicely and can get into the finish after a top fresh up run. The ARDROSSAN gelding trained by Terry Wenn ran two 4th placings at Pukekohe over 1200m in the Autumn and was solid late in both of them after going back early. Returned to win there up to the 1400m, running handy this time, before holding on with a certain fortitude. Same deal resuming against a decent field, but three wide wirh no cover and still managed to throw in a big winning effort. Up in grade, although some serious ability.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1300m

SOCIAL CLIMBER / WAY OUT WEST / SUPER FLY

The four-year-old mare SOCIAL CLIMBER really hasn't been helped by an inside draw at Te Rapa, then a wide barrier at Ellerslie last start when restrained to the rear, but running on well. Appears to hold some serious ability as shown when winning on debut, before a strong late effort through the middle for 2nd behind MISS MONEYPENNY over 1200m at Te Rapa in July. The CONTRIBUTER mare trained by the Richardson/Norvall team scores a nice gate here and Jasmine Fawcett knows the horse well. Top odds and should strip in sharper condition.

☆☆☆☆

We won't be leaving out the Andrew Forsman trained mare WAY OUT WEST, especially fresh up and with Gryllsy aboard. The US NAVY FLAG four-year-old is out of a SAVABEEL mare and related to a good racemare in SABLE. Too good beating a sharp horse on debut at Tauranga, then battled well on the rail for 3rd at Te Aroha over the mile. 5th in the Manawatu Classic, but no go in the Trelawney to finish off the prep. Trialled up twice, with this distance appearing ideal returning. Odds seem at overs for such a nice horse who has won fresh up.

☆☆☆

Watch out for this horse SUPER FLY on the Ellerslie circuit, as he can ‘super fly’ as shown when storming home down the outside to haul in the field over 1400m in May. Really needs a firm track to shine and flew late for 2nd over 1300m on the Cambridge synthetic last start, so appears to good condition after a short freshen up. The GHIBELLINES mare would be suited by a firm tempo and Joe Doyle will only need to tuck her in with some cover before shifting the mare into top gear. Like these odds, as just the type to charge late and get into the money.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 2400m

HAUGHTY / WRY SMILE / SANTA CATALINA

The IFFRAAJ mare HAUGHTY trained by the Fahy's at Pukekohe had developed into a nice staying type and has an opportunity here to continue on her winning ways. Threw in some nice runs earlier in the year, with a 3rd and 2nd at Pukekohe before a few tough runs with little luck. Improved further going up in trip with placings at Pukekohe, Avondale and Cambridge synthetic, then did it easy over 2100m up at Ruakaka after settling back. Has matured well and strong enough to handle the mile and a half with Doyle riding.

☆☆☆☆

Sam Logan has a fair performer in WRY SMILE despite only one win, with a firm, dry track the key to a successful run. The trainer took her MONGOLIAN KHAN gelding down to Riccarton in January, where he led from the 100m to win nicely over 2000m. Finished 3rd at Otago and blocked at Ashburton in his southern sojourn, then returned north and struggled on Heavy tracks. Much better when 2nd and 3rd over 2000m on the Cambridge synthetic and a firm track certainly seems to be his go. Lands some stable footing here then may feature over this trip with a couple of runs now behind him.

☆☆☆

Peter & Shaun McKay have worked away on SANTA CATALINA who ran in some strong company last summer. The PUCCNI mare is very well-related and holds the pedigree to handle a trip of this nature. 2nd over 2100m at the beginning of the year, then ran on well for 4th at Ellerslie. Battled away for 4th in the South Waikato Cup in March, then resumed with a 3rd placing over the mile at Whangarei. Doing her best work late after getting well back over 2200m at Auckland last start and set up quite nicely for this with senior hoop Grylls taking the reins.

☆☆

BEST BET: LOLLAPALOOZA

NEXT BEST: TRAV

BEST VALUE: SUPER FLY

WILDCARD: PART TIME LOVER