EASTER HANDICAP G3

RACE 7 - 1600m

ELLE SOURIT / LUPO SOLITARIO / SORGHAGHTANI

ELLE SOURIT is a progressive type who won her first two runs last August then put aside by the Forsman stable. Held up at Hawera over 1300m before offering up a big finish once out at the 300m. Made it two-in-a-row in on a Heavy 10 Pukekohe track, then offered up a big finish at Ellerslie to make it three resuming on Champions Day, before finishing 2nd to PACIFICO on a deep Te Aroha surface which was a shocking track. How good this OCEAN PARK mare could actually be is had to say, but she obviously has a big motor under the hood which can get her out of any trouble and will appreciate getting back to more stable track conditions. Set for this and could be hard to stop once rolling into it.

☆☆☆

LUPO SOLITARIO is back from an unhappy time in Hong Kong and whether it was the stable, climate or missing the green grass of home, the SATONO ALADDIN gelding never produced much at Sha Tin. Now in the care of Danica Guy, we've seen a rapid return to form. Before leaving our shores, his 3YO season was dynamic, defeating GLAMOUR TYCOON and MARY SHAN over 1200m, then winning again at Tauranga before running 2nd to CROCETTI in the Gr.2 Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa. Got the job done with a nice finish to win over the mile at Pukekohe last start and likely to be even fitter now. Better off on top of the ground, so SOFT6 at worst.

☆☆

We may not have seen the best from SORGHAGHTANI the last two runs, but this horse was dynamic in her back-to-back victories on the course and can bounce. Admittedly, this is another level, but those were two strong BM fields and the MONGOLIAN KHAN mare stormed at the line hard to win well. Went to Tauranga on a horrible Heavy track and never stood a chance from the rear, then ok for 5th here at the latest in another top field. Good gate, nicely weighted and could be the bolter to get home strongly at massive odds. Not saying no.

☆

TRELAWNEY STUD CHAMPIONSHIP STAKES G2

RACE 6 - 2100m 3YO

GLANCE / SOLID GOLD / SUPER BUS

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, top jockey Michael McNab absolutely slaughtered the ride on GLANCE at Ellerslie last start when the horse appeared amped up and ready to charge into it over the final 150m. Instead of shifting wider he went for the hero move on the inside, which saw the filly totally shut out with nowhere to go. The filly, trained by Stephen Marsh, secured a victory in her debut race at Pukekohe with a strong finish, and she boasts an impressive and extensive pedigree that should see her win more as a late blooming three-year-old. Only needs clear air late to go close in this and hopefully we don't see another shocking steer.

☆☆☆☆

SOLID GOLD went big here over the mile last start and it was an impressive victory where the SAVABEEL filly came from third last with a swooping wide finish to mow them down. This James/Wellwood trained three-year-old was close up to SWISS PRINCE in the Spring before resuming with two solid runs at Matamata and Pukekohe. She is quite a stylish filly with a deep pedigree that reflects a strong sprint acumen and can only improve into this. Looms as a two-horse battle between a couple of highly progressive young stayers and one or the other is probably winning this.

☆☆☆

WAIMEA BAY, trained by the James/Wellwood team represents another promising horse from a stable that can run well, but we're willing to take a wild swing at SUPER BUS, who could find his way into the finish as the rank outsider. This CIRCUS MAXIMUS gelding holds some stout staying pedigree and he pressed on for 5th behind SOLID GOLD over the 1600m here last start. Finished 2nd over 2100m at Pukekohe in February but really would want a firm pace to build up steam late, and if their choking out at the 150m, he’ll be the one still running on. Does lack the sprint of a few here, although will keep on grinding away and this distance is more suitable. Hail Mary sure to boost a Trifecta/FIRST4.

☆☆

STARWAY STAKES (L)

RACE 3 - 1200m 2YO

OUT OF THE BLUE / STROMLINIEN / INCANDESCENT

If any juvenile deserves a stakes win this season, then OUT OF THE BLUE surely qualifies as a talented TIVACI gelding with a mass of bottled-up ability who has been unlucky at times. Shifted back north following victories in his initial two 800m races at Riccarton, then finished 2nd in behind LARA ANTIPOVA in the Matamata Slipper, 3rd in the Wellesley Stakes (1100m) at Trentham after a blocked rails run and drew the widest gate in the 2YO Karaka Millions but still performed admirably running on hard. Scratched at the barriers in the Gr.1 Sistema after a plate shifted, however, his last jumpout at Ellerslie was a blinder, cruising up to the field smoothly from well back. Will be hard to hold out and maybe this time for Te Akau and connections.

☆☆☆☆

The win by STROMLINIEN on debut was impressive enough to believe the ALMANZOR filly will win plenty more but launched straight into the 2YO Karaka Millions by Andrew Forsman and produced no finish after settling well back. Regardless, the filly is out of a super mare in SANTA CATARINA (Savabeel) and it shows with her fast-finishing power as displayed in her first and most recent trial. Caught the eye moving well at Ellerslie in the 1000m jump out, running 2nd but sprinting up with ease. Sticky gate, although has the speed late to feature and the way she powered through a gap to win here so stylishly, this wide draw might not be such a big issue.

☆☆☆

Roger James was adamant the PER INCANTO gelding INCANDESCENT would make a strong three-year-old running over further next season, however he has been a solid performer at the sprint trips. The first MyRacehorse NZ syndicated runner trialed up nicely before opening his account over 1100m at Ellerslie in impressive style. Finished 4th to KINNAIRD at Ellerslie in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes, then not seen again until a 3rd resuming at Wanganui. Finished a close-up 3rd to SO FEAR at Pukekohe, and although this trip is still short of his best, he is a fit horse that will be suited by a strong tempo and will be running home hard in the final stages. Can get into the money once again.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1200m

CHARMROSE / BASEL WARRIOR / GRANDE GALLO

Te Akau have a few in here and it looks a tricky contest on paper, but we're going with CHARMROSE from the stable who appears ready for a peak performance. Won well here over 1100m in October, followed by a very game victory defeating KITTY FLASH at Tauranga. Ran 2nd to TAKESHI on a SOFT6 at Tauranga before a kicking hard for a strong win over 1200m at Pukekohe last start. Firm hit out in trackwork on Tuesday, with Craig Grylls taking the ride a big boost. Can go close winding up in the latter stages at tidy E/W odds.

☆☆☆☆

BASEL WARRIOR is an interesting runner who has looked tremendous in his last few runs before struggling to pick up at Trentham. The SWISS ACE gelding settled well back over 1400m at Te Rapa before chasing hard out wide for an impressive victory, before just holding on to win over 1340m at Wanganui despite blundering the start. Won again at New Plymouth finishing best and a strong tempo coming back to this 1200m trip may suit at this point in a solid preperation. Jim Collett has done a wonderful job with the horse and another big charge at the line to get close wouldn't surprise.

☆☆☆

The Wexford-trained GRANDE GALLO might not have won for over a year, but she has drawn fair for a 2nd-up run and will likely enjoy some give in the track being by BELARDO. 5 wins from 18 is not a bad record and the mare tends to appreciate this Ellerslie course, although doesn't help herself much by getting too far back at times and will need to find a midfield position early. Possibly with that initial blowout out of the way on the Heavy 8 at Tauranga, we may see a far more powerful performance with Joe Doyle aboard. Trackwork on Tuesday suggests Wexford have the edge on and these odds are quite appealing.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 1 - 2100m

THE EXPONENT / ALTARI / ASTARTE

We've always had some time for THE EXPONENT even though the last two runs here haven't quite gone to plan. Finished 2nd to UP THE ANTI at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day before fighting wider for 4th over the mile in a strong field. Finished best to win going down to Otaki, then held up at the 250m and came into contact with another runner. The SHOCKING gelding wasn't that far away last stary over 1500m here two weeks ago and that was also a quality field. If Marsh can extract a tad more this time up, then definitely right in this contest.

☆☆☆☆

The SAVABEEL gelding ALTARI hasn't been terrible in three runs back since a fine victory over 1500m at Pukekohe in December. Raced wide without cover throughout resuming at Ellerslie, then a much stronger effort fighting on for 4th sticking at the mile. Ran on well for 3rd in the South Waikato Cup (2000m) over a month ago and don't be surprised if the Walker/Bergerson team bring the gelding here in perfect condition ready to run a big race. Would prefer a Good 4 track, which might not be the case, but certainly has fine ability when applying commitment to the cause.

☆☆☆

ASTARTE seems a good quality mare with some real experience behind her now, and despite only one two wins in 12 starts, her performances since January have been first rate. Finished 2nd at Tauranga and Pukekohe before a strong late effort to win over 2100m returning to Tauranga and burst clear for an easy win over the same trip at Pukekohe last start. The SACRED FALLS mare is a month between runs and probably can't do much more than run up to expectations once again. If you're after some better odds, then you could do worse than this horse from an inside gate with Masa riding.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1400m

HANKEE ALPHA / WAR QUEEN / MID OCEAN

The Wexford team will present HANKEE ALPHA in fine condition after four runs back from a break and the recent 3rd and 2nd placings in strong fields at Ellerslie suggests the PROISIR mare was back as good as ever. Bolted in over 1200m at Te Aroha last October before weaving late from 10th to win there again over 1100m. Took on some high calibre three-year-olds in the Almanzor Trophy and Uncle Remus, and not bad running on late at Te Rapa, followed by a wide run for 2nd over 1150m at Te Aroha on a very testing Heavy track. Well-suited coming back to Auckland and we won’t be losing any sleep over this wide gate with the rail back in the TRUE. Can get it done for Wexford with the Irishman aboard.

☆☆☆☆

Kurt Pertab hasn't overplayed his hand with the PROISIR mare WAR QUEEN, but she should almost be unbeaten as a highly talented galloper with low earnings in only five race day starts. Did win two of those; on debut at Hawera last May, then again on a Heavy 10 track at New Plymouth in September. Slow away and hampered at Wanganui when 4th and ran on late at Te Rapa for 5th before winning well over 1400m at New Plymouth. Did trial up with an 1100m win at Taupo, then 4tth resuming at Trentham and couldn’t really establish any clear room until the 250m. Some give in the track shouldn't hinder her at all.

☆☆☆

MID OCEAN is a sharp first up performer who has won here fresh over the 1400m and has to be considered coming off a tidy trial win here at Ellerslie. The OCEAN PARK mare trained by Benjamin King at Matamata was in good touch last season before failing in the Gr.1 NZ Oaks at Trentham. Challenged at the 200m for a nice win here on Boxing Day, then 3rd on the course over the 1400m in a pretty handy field. Sticky gate but could be barreling home hard if able to establish some clear air late in the race.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 1600m

HAKUSHU / LODI DODI / CLEAR CONSCIENCE

This good looking $520,000 gelding HAKUSHU by champion sire, I AM INVINCIBLE is beautifully bred via the broodmare SHOKO (Sebring) and is trained by Stephen Marsh at Cambridge. Right around the mark in his first couple of preps before winning on the Synthetic last June. The gelding has appeared much sharper the last few runs, coming late for 3rd at Tauranga on the Heavy 8, followed by a strong 2nd to SWEET SMILE over the 1500m here when held up until the 200m mark. Opie on and should score a nice trip from the draw so just has to be in the frame as a sloid winning chance.

☆☆☆☆

LODI DODI seems quite a progressive type from the fine sire BLUE POINT, out a reasonably well performed CD mare in LODI. Led from the 250m and was too strong on debut at Te Aroha, then over-raced on a Heavy Taupo track. Came here for the Gold Trail Stakes which was a bold play by the Richardson/ Norvall camp before coming back in January, with three fair runs since, the last a 3rd at Matamata running on late over the 1600m. Has the goods to win this with Grylls on and not to be taken lightly.

☆☆☆

No way are we going to bypass an ALABAMA EXPRESS mare, and CLEAR CONSCIENCE from the Pam Gerard was good last start for 4th here in a strong field and should have the speed and power to match any of these. Hasn't always stepped up to the plate, although ran on at Tauranga resuming, then dominant powering to the lead on the turn at Rotorua over 1400m land really put them to the sword to storm away. Poor effort in Wellington but better off on a firm track. Terrible draw so will need a ton of luck but willing to take the risk as can run home hard with room to move.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 2 - 1200m

THUMBELINA / UTOPIC WARRIOR / SHE’S UNTOUCHABLE

Te Akau trained THUMBELINA has any amount of ability, although up to now a wayward sort and it has taken a bit of patience to bring out the best in this PER INCANTO filly. Ran off the track in January when a firm favourite, then returned to finish 3rd to SWEET SMILE over 1200m at Pukekohe in February. Three wide without cover, but still challenged hard from the turn to do it easy back at Pukekohe and they may have figured this girl out with the shadow roll on doing the trick. Sufficiently capable of achieving consecutive victories back-to-back.

☆☆☆☆

Some big wraps on this DEEP FIELD gelding UTOPIC WARRIOR who won brilliantly on debut for trainer Kelly Van Dyk first time out at Ellerslie. Won all four trials from September last year leading into his foray into racing and only this barrier draw can probably stop the gelding running another big one. Based on the excellent trackwork Tuesday and the stables high confidence, the gate may not stop George Rooke driving him to the front over the final stages. Difficult to split these top two and both look strong winning chances.

☆☆☆

SHE'S UNTOUCHABLE may only have one win to her name in 15 starts, but she is a really nice CAPITALIST mare who has run some super tidy races without much reward. The Marsh trained four-year-old won on debut back in Nov 2024, then ran 3rd to SETHIO in the Bonecrusher Stakes. Close up to VEGAS QUEEN in the Wellington Guineas and 3rd to CHARMROSE in October the best results since, however came from well back for 3rd over 1200m last start at Pukekohe and may have turned a corner returning this prep. Could pay to keep safe.

☆☆

BEST BET: GLANCE

NEXT BEST: OUT OF THE BLUE

BEST VALUE: CHARM ROSE

WILDCARD: SORGHAGHTANI