STAYERS QUALIFYING OPEN

RACE 6 - 2100m

ROSETOWN PRINCESS / PACIFICO / BOXMOSS

We were quite impressed with ROSETOWN PRINCESS last prep, although this REDWOOD mare's racing style may not always lead to victory, she did reach a new high finishing 2nd to FINAL RETURN in the Counties Cup. Performed relatively well racing in Melbourne before returning home and this staying trip should be perfect with a number of runs under the belt. Seen as a wet tracker, although we think the mare is more versatile then that. Overraced here last start, although we think she finished off quite tidiely and should be in Rock hard condition. Love these big odds with the Strawbridge 3kg claim

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PACIFICO handled a wet Arawa Park with aplomb, trailing to the turn in the Rotorua Cup (2200) and proving just too strong in the end. The Forsman-trained ARDROSSAN gelding performs optimally on heavy tracks but defeated ELLE SOURIT over the mile at Te Aroha and fought on for 3rd after setting the pace over 2200m on a SOFT6 at Otaki. Way too strong for an average field here carrying 60.5kg. Based on his high level of fitness and dynamic formline, he appears a formidable contender once more.

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BOXMOSS appeared a strong winning chance here over 2100m last start but was slow away, tried to have a crack coming wider at the 600m, and ultimately weakened out. Strong winning at Ellerslie in November, although the slow starts cost the VADAMOS gelding resuming in April, then ran into a wall of horses over the mile at Te Rapa and needs to be steadied over the final 100m. Drawn well here and only needs to get into a relaxed stride before amping it up late.

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SPRINTERS QUALIFYING OPEN

RACE 1 - 1400m

SWEET SMILE / BELLARISTA / ASTORIA BROOKE

The Jenna Mahoney trained SWEET SMILE has won four from the last five and has been nothing short of impressive here at Ellerslie, winning the past three straight. A son of TIME TEST, the five-year-old struck this purple patch after returning from Hong Kong where he failed to make a mark, then finished best to win at Pukekohe in February with his first NZ start. Only blip was a 2nd place at Counties before going on a brilliant winning streak and he may just be too good again with Masa sticking firm.

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BELLARISTA has been a model of consistency this prep, but running into the imports GRINZINGER MOON and SWEET SMILE have relegated her to placings since resuming from a 74 day break. Won at Tauranga in January and here at Ellerslie over 1400m in February, so there is no doubting her ability and being by the sire BELARDO, some give in the track should suit well. Third up she does loom as a big danger in this field.

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ASTORIA BROOKE has looked very good at the Waikato track and came up nicely last prep, but resumed with two runs up in Auckland. Big, late finish to win at Tauranga in Dec, then ran on well in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie. The AMERICAN PHAROAH gelding trained by Tony Pike did nothing first up, but was sound running on for 4th over 1300m at Ellerslie last start. Unbeaten on the Heavy, although will get his toe into this surface and possibly enjoy these soft conditions

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BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 2100m

DEL INQUENT / MY FAIR LILY / RIO GRANDE

DEL INQUENT was very good here in April, winding up hard for 3rd despite racing three wide without cover from the 1100m. Got the job done over that trip at Matamata for trainer Tony Pike, but was forced to race three wide from the 1200m stepping up to the 2100m here last start and needed to be steadied twice in the closing stages. Finished 2nd Ellerslie at the distance in December, so the RELIABLE MAN gelding is likely well prepped for a big run as he is bred to stay all day.

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MY FAIR LILY was restrained at the start to obtain cover from an outside barrier at Ellerslie last start and placed in restricted room near the 150m, so willing to forgive. Looked good earlier in the year, with a strong finish to break her maiden over 2100m at Te Rapa before just missing out over the same trip at Ellerslie. The RELIABLE MAN mare is a go back horse so look for her winding up late going up to a more suitable trip.

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RIO GRANDE couldn't offer up a finish in his first two back but was really good in the Heavy stuff when at peak last July. Won over the mile at Te Rapa and placed twice at Rotorua and Avondale, however, Andrew Forsman hasn't overplayed his hand with this VADAMOS gelding and if Ellerslie is chopping up like last time, then he might go a bit better than expected. Hasn't had much luck in only eight runs, so running closer to the pace could be the key to avoiding trouble.

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BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1500m

FLAMENCO / ORSON STONE / YOKOZUNA

Really like this horse FLAMENCO who has been a model of consistency but only one recent run when slow away over the mile at Ellerslie coming off a break and was doing her best work late. Top effort finishing 2nd to VOLUNTEER at Pukekohe and to SUMMIT UP down in Wellington, altjough the TAVISTOCK mare hasn't won since February 2025 in Auckland. Trackwork on Tuesday suggests Mark Brooks has her in peak condition and we will be going after the mare in the belief she can win this at seriously big odds.

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ORSON STONEhas looked pretty good the last couple, running on late over 1500m at Ellerslie and coming from second last to finish 4th over the mile on the course. In fact, all three runs back from the EL ROCA gelding have held merit and he scores the best gate oouf of all those runs. But hang on. As a go back type, will the ace draw be a burden with the rail out so far and leave the Forsman-trained four-year-old with too much work to do late in the race. Definitely some risk involved, but he is fit.

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We believe the Logan-trained YOKOZUNA is the one who could show serious improvement in the last and he is a horse who could be ready to display his best on a wet track. The FIERCE IMPACT three-year-old won stylishly on debut up at Ruakaka before finishing 2nd to TAJANA in the Northland Breeders. Returned from a spell and took on some high class 3YO horses, but foolishly tried to set the pace over 1500m here last start and that didn't end up working. With the 4kg this does appear attainable and Donna's team are going well at present.well

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BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 3 - 1200m

FLEETING STAR / SHE'S UNTOUCHABLE / SWEETAZME

FLEETING STAR is a high quality COOL AZA BEEL filly who has faced high calibre fields in virtually all her runs and can measure up here. Ran 2nd to MISS FLADGATE and then GOLDEN WINGS in two Auckland runs before a 3rd to THAT'S GOLD at Te Aroha. Won over 1400m returning to Ellerslie before a bold 3rd in the Eight Carat on Boxing Day. Failed in the Karaka Millions but all three resuming runs have held merit and Richardson/Norvall filly really deserves a winning turn. This looks well within her limits.

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The Marah-trained SHE'S UNTOUCHABLE has been nothing short of disappointing after promising so much, winning on debut before finished 3rd to SETHIO in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes. Came back in 2025 and didn't really hit the mark despite taking on quality fields and not being too far away. Marsh has probably tried plenty of fixes apart from blinkers, although maybe she's just one of those horses that likes to follow and not find the lead. The mare looked good, completing 1000m on the poly Tuesday and is certainly due a big run.

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Trainer Ray Fleming has a super nice type in the five-year-old ARDROSSAN gelding SWEETAZME and the late starter blew them away impressively after beginning awkwardly over 1230m at Arawa Park. Returned to his home course as the red hor favourite, only to falter late when chasing hard behind OCEAN ROAD over 1400m. Some faith required, but seems a talented galloper making up for lost time on the track. Would prefer it much wetter, although fresh up we could see a bold effort and with no trial its hard to know what to expect.

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3YOF QUALIFYING RACE

RACE 7 - 1400m

COSMIC DREAM / ARWEN / ORATIA BEAUTY

COSMIC DREAM seems a highly progressive type from the Kingsclere barn who has run well in all her five starts and she rushed home in slick time in the poly at Cambridge on Tuesday. The COSMIC FORCE filly ran 3rd in debut in November then won over 1000m at Trentham. Took on some strong company before a spell and resumed with a 3rd to GENERAL MENARI at Te Rapa. Raced wide without cover throughout and was brace finishing 3rd to HAKUSHU at Ellerslie over 1300m so should only improve into this.

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The James/Wellwood team also have ARWEN in here and he is another impressive three-year-old from the stable, and they've had a few this season. The ANCIENT SPIRIT filly has only has three starts; firstly, getting up laye to win on debut at Te Aroha after racing wide, followed by a 3rd on s HEAVY10 there over 1400m. Got back at Ellerslie in her latest, but ran on strongly for 3rd to KING’S ENGLISH over 1100m and this step up in distance should suit well. Finding it difficult to split the stablemates.

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Hard to go past a TOO DARN HOT filly and this one ORATIA BEAUTY does appear to possess some genuine ability. Her dam, ORATIA by REDOUTE'S CHOICE only raced seven times, with two strong wins at Avondale and finished 4tb in a Sunline Vase. Plenty to like about this pedigree as Kylie Hoskin could have a good one here and has shown them alot. Some faith required but began awkwardly resuming over 1100m at Ellerslie before running on wider out. Ran 3rd to AFFIRMATIVE ACTION here and 2nd to PULSATILLA in the Eagle Memorial so knows this joint well. Up in trip will aide.

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2YO QUALIFYING RACE

RACE 2 - 1200m

JUDY'S SMARTIES / FATAL AFFAIR / BALLERINA

We have been anticipating the debut of JUDY’S SMARTIES, a young horse with a promising pedigree. A SWORD OF STATE colt with Wexford Stables, has had a thorough trial preparation ahead of his raceday debut and looked the part when winning at Taupo in his most recent appearance. Approached them three wide with considerable momentum and presented with a professional demeanor. His dam DURAAJ (Iffraaj) never raced but did win two Cambridge trials and her Aus bred dam SEDUCTION is by Danehill.

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You just have to give FATAL AFFAIR another chance after racing greenly throughout the middle stages on debut as short favourite at Ellerslie, and the HOME AFFAIRS filly has hopefully come through it a bit wiser. Defeated WALKIN IN MEMPHIS in her first trial and blitzed them by 4L in the precedding one, so certainly natural ability is there. It will rely on the Cartwright ride to settle her early and we could see the real horse emerge.

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George Rooke will partner up with BALLERINA jumping from the ace gate and the ALMANZOR filly took on a crack field of two-year-olds on Boxing Day and did ok, running on late for 5th place. Returned five months on to finish 4th over 1200m at Matamata and fought on well once again. The Richardson/ Norvall trained filly is from the dam BARBARINA (Savabeel) who bled in her third run and never raced again. Her mother, THY (O'Reilly) was Stakes placed in Australia and ran 3rd in the ATC Oaks. Bit to live up to, but bred to be half decent.

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BEST BET: COSMIC DREAM

NEXT BEST: JUDY’S SMARTIES

BEST VALUE: FLAMENCO

WILDCARD: ROSETOWN PRINCESS