BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 1 - 1100m

POKURU GOLD / MARKET PLACE / ONEIRA

The DRACI BRAHMA gelding POKURU GOLD from the Te Akau yard is a talented sprinter who won't mind some moisture around on Saturday. Mowed them down to win here impressively over the trip, before chasing hard for 3rd on a Te Rapa track that heavily favoured front-runners. Has the inside draw offering a soft trip and claims down to a weight he can handle. Gets some clear air to wind up here then looks hard to hold out, but won't want to be trapped too long on the inside once turning in. Getting on the track early a big bonus.

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MARKET PLACE resumed with a tidy win on the Cambridge synthetic, and it was a brave effort over 970m. Tends to drift up towards the pace early and seems forward enough 2nd up to mount a serious challenge over the distance, especially with ACE aboard claiming down to 53kg. The BURGUNDY gelding performed exceptionally well early in his career, but recently, he has found it challenging to achieve many wins with his racing style. $21 just seems ridiculous and can run a solid race 2nd up.

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The Cody Cole trained ONEIRA looks a big threat after resuming with a strong run behind POKURA GOLD at Ellerslie last time out. The CONTRIBUTER mare is a pretty tough sprinter who led and stuck on over the 1100m, but was no match for the slick Te Akau horse. It's up to Craig Grylls to give her an early boost and then find an extra burst of speed down the Ellerslie straight. Can certainly get a piece of this with a clever ride.

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TWO-YEAR-OLD SW & P

RACE 2 - 1200m

PACIFIC BREEZE / BATTLE TYCOON / BOOMBOX / ARTHUR

Couple of proming juveniles starting here but low risk taking the form horse PACIFIC BREEZE who's raced in good company and hasn't disgrace himself. The colt by NORTH PACIFIC won over 1200m at Waverley with a strong performance, then was 7L off LA DORADA in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires (1400m) late March. Spelled since then and won a 850m trial at Waipa by 2.5L so looks ready to ramp it up. New blood a threat, however jumps well then surely goes close.

☆☆☆☆

Stephen Marsh brings this beautifully bred WRITTEN TYCOON colt BATTLE TYCOON to the races for the first time that Bruce Perry paid 500K for at the GC Yearling Sale. His unraced mother is by SNITZEL with her dam RARE INSIGHT (O’Reilly), a very nice type and a Group winner. McNab aboard a telling factor and could be very talented. May need to go back and rely on an even tempo.

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The SPIRIT OF BOOM gelding BOOMBOX out of the Pike yard is bred for speed and appears a fine young horse. Won a trial last month and wasn't far off LUCY IN THE SKY when 5th in his only start. His dam, VIADUCTRESS who was pretty good is by SHARKBITE,who was also quite talented, with Redoute's Choice and Encosta De Lago close up in the pedigree. Jumps and gets on with the job here, then a serious threat to this field on debut.

☆☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1600m

PERSPECTIVE / FULL OF COURAGE / LIVE ON AIR / URLAR

The ALMANZOR gelding PERSPECTIVE hasn't landed the kindest of gates, however he could be one to watch here on a soft track. Looked very sharp earlier in the year, culminating in a big finish to win over the mile at Matamata in March. Had to be steadied in the last two middle distance runs but is much better then that and can make an impression here. Look for Fawcett angling him into the clear and barreling down the outside late. Super odds and does have some ability. Just needs the right run.

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Hard to go past the consistent gelding FULL OF COURAGE, from the Cole stable, who has been running out his races extremely well. He would likely appreciate it if it were a bit wetter; however, he won easily over 1600m at Whanganui last time, and the PUCCINI gelding's fitness is unquestionable. Probably sits midfield before mounting a solid late challenge and could be the one to get up on the line.

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Have some time for the PROISIR mare LIVE ON AIR who is capable on her day and shouldn't be underestimated here despite the shitty draw. Didn't seem to enjoy the New Plymouth experience when slow away and laid out, but the two previous runs were promising. Fought genuinely behind ASTORIA BROOKE over the mile at Te Rapa and put in big strides for 2nd at Pukekohe prior. Will need some luck and a risk from the draw, but watch the odds.

☆☆

Just have to throw URLAR into the mix with Kennedy aboard and at this price the SHALAA mare could be worth pursuing. Hasn't scored the best of luck, however needs to take advantage of this inside draw and run along genuinely. Tony Pike seems a little confident about her chances today and if you're looking for decent odds on a tricky punting day, then this horse can win another one. TOP4 could be the go.

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BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 1600m

THE PRECURSOR / WAR OF SUCCESSION / CYBER PATCH

THE PRECURSOR is a big, powerful type from the Fannin stable who should be well suited to Ellerslie and enjoy the Soft conditions. Owner Graham Stewart purchased the St Jean four-year-old off Inglis Digital last November for A$20,000 following five starts for leading trainer Ciaron Maher. He goes back to a very good staying and jumping family so the distance will be ideal after a nice 2nd resuming. Grylls in the saddle and appears a red hot chance to charge into it on a more stable surface.

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The Walker/Bergerson team bring WAR OF SUCCESSION back to Ellerslie after winning here over 1600m three weeks ago. That was a pretty strong performance after improving nicely from midfield, with the step up in trip the perfect set-up. Likely to settle in a safe spot and claims 2kg which will only boost his chances. Pay to keep this TAVISTOCK gelding very safe going up in trip as he appears the one to give it plenty down the straight as a fully fit type looking to go back-to-back.

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CYBER PATCH may have a big weight to lump around, however the OCEAN PARK five year-old did run a couple of top races in April and can't be fully discounted. The real bonus is he goes well at Ellerslie, won't mind a Soft track and gains the services of the V8 Mercedes driving McNab. You may find he leads out here with the first crack at the distance and it will be up to the jockey to keep him pumping along, although he should be in sound condition arriving here. If he handles the trip then can run a place.

☆☆

TRACKSIDE.CO.NZ

RACE 6 - 2200m OPEN

MAJOR MAJOR / OUTBACK OPAL / ATA RANGI

Like this horse MAJOR MAJOR sitting at the bottom of the page, and the PINS gelding should be about to show something good with Kelly Myers aboard. Led and was too strong for them over 1600m at Pukekohe on a Heavy 10, then outfinished by ASTORIA BROOKE over the mile at Egmont. Looked very tidy last season with some top middle distance runs, and he does have a solid record on the course. Well placed and this field doesn't appear that strong. Well within his capabilities we believe.

☆☆☆☆

OUTBACK OPAL is a consistent type for Mark Brosnan and the EL ROCA mare could offer a little bit extra on Saturday. Will never be a champion, but he did finish 3rd in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes over 2000m three back and worked home well behind ATA RANGI over 2200m last start after the jockey had the whip knocked our of his hand. Kennedy sticks and the stayer looks ready for a defining performance based on some solid fitness and a strong ride.

☆☆☆

ATA RANGI came out fresh and caused a surprise upset over 2200m at Ellerslie last start and did it quite easily. John Bell must of pressed hard to get the 9yo in such a forward condition and he should be holding that trim shape nicely after a two week break. Claims down to 51kg so every chance for the old boy to feature if he can repeat that big effort on the same course. Look for him firing down the outside late.

☆☆

THREE-YEAR-OLD SW & P

RACE 7 - 1400m

THOOZA / ORTEGA / CUSTOMIZED

Tony Pike could have a great day at Ellerslie and THOOZA may be one of his best from the draw. The ALMANZOR filly won at the Naki in Dec on a Good 4, then battled well at Ellerslie behind SOUGHT AFTER for third. Ran on here over 1100m fresh up and should be sharp and ready to fire returning to Auckland. Nice odds, Wazza Kennedy rates the horse highly and appears a top E/W chance.

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ORTEGA doesn't appear the worst here and the RELIABLE MAN 3yo did run 3rd in the Ryder Stakes as a 2yo last winter. Won well at Matamata two back over 1200m weaving through the field and with the right timing on a soft surface she can run a good race. 2kg claim, Marsh stable, McNab on - plenty to like.

☆☆☆

CUSTOMIZED looked very good kicking off his career before going off the boil and struggling a bit. However, he is by CAPITALIST and could run a cheeky one fresh up. May not be up to winning but the Steven Cole stable are quite sly and may have prepped well forward to resume. Hard to see him winning, but certainly one for a price.

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EVERGREEN BLOODSTOCK 1400

RACE 9 - 1400m

STERLING EXPRESS / BOURBON EMPRESS / SPENCER

Could be a good battle here based on form and ability but its the favourite that stands out. STERLING EXPRESS from the Brosnan barn has the runs on the board with two consecutive wins at Ellerslie over 1200m and 1400m. A hat-trick is definitely on the cards here after two strong finishes by the SHAMEXPRESS gelding. Had the right gate, weight and jockey to be effective once again and it will he hard to bet against him.

☆☆☆☆

While BOURBON EMPRESS is in her second run returning from a layoff, the Marsh-trained PROISIR mare demonstrated exceptional form during the summer racing season. Won the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie on New Year's Day before failing due to a respiratory infection in the Aotearoa Classic. Resumed with a tough run over 1400m here, but should strip much fitter. Seems to be some intent with the claim but she may appreciate this run as well. Will be interesting to see her condition in the parade ring.

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SPENCER has been in a fine vain of form and won easily over 1200m at Trentham last start. The five year-old DERRYN gelding won a G3 at Te Rapa last October, then struggled going up in trip to the mile. The wide draw may be the biggest issue as he will probably need to go forward early and find a spot to slot in without burning up too much juice. Certainly has the ability to make a claim for the line with the right run.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 10 - 1600m

PEERLESS / AWATERE / AFTERGLO / SUPER FLY

The Wexford trained gelding PEERLESS ran home well over 1400m last start on a track with a strong front running bias. Did well coming on in the previous two and the stable have not overcooked the galloper this prep, meaning he should be quite sharp and ready to show his best. With Grylls aboard, the gelding appears a strong contender and a worthwhile investment opportunity.

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AWATERE couldn't quite get the job done at Te Rapa but could go one better if McNab can negotiate this wide gate. The Pike trained PER INCANTO gelding won impressively at Matamata early in the year, then ran on well over 1200m at Ellerslie in April. Shuffled back at Waikato, however McNab found a way through and will need to do the same here. Should be super fit and ready to big, but luck will need to be on his side.

☆☆☆

The Autridge trained AFTERGLO has experienced a fairly strong start to her career and the 3yo filly looks a progressive type with some promise. Wide and game when beating ZIGGY STARDUST at Matamata on debut, before grabbing 3rd there running home from midfield. She is by ARDROSSAN with a nice pedigree, so it will be interesting to see if the filly can step it up here. Very generous odds on offer.

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Way down the bottom of the page wearing saddlecloth #18 is SUPER FLY who was super impressive last time out. The GHIBELLINES mare stormed down the outside to reel them in easily over 1400m at Ellerslie and team Fahy are willing to take on stronger company straight away. Rough gate and up in class significantly, however could be the one to brain them late with Myers in the saddle. She'll save her for one late charge.

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