LIVAMOL CLASSIC G1

RACE 9 - 2040m

SHE'S A DEALER / WAITAK / TUXEDO

The ACE HIGH mare SHE'S A DEALER was a solid close up 3rd to WAITAK and TUXEDO in the Gr.1 Howden Mile here two weeks ago and should only offer more up in trip third run back. Finished 2nd in the Cuddle and Thoroughbred Breeders (1600m) at Trentham late last prep before a brave 5th in the JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick. Look for her getting home hard as a slick performer with a fine turn-of-hoof and these odds are ok by us jumping from an inside gate with Rooke aboard.

☆☆☆☆

WAITAK has returned just as big, bad and nasty as he was last season and really stepped it up to with the WFA Gr.1 Howden Mile with a powerful performance, which did look on the cards. A $2 million earner, the Wexford-trained TARZINO gelding won this race in Auckland last year following on from the Howden, and runner up in the Mufhasa and Bonecrusher to finish a stunning season. Repeat of that last effort and will prove just as hard to hold out. Still hard to believe he went from a top sprinter to a multiple G1 middle-distance champion.

☆☆☆

TUXEDO has returned as a formidable five-year-old gelding, and notwithstanding his keen performance in the Proisir, he demonstrated significant potential in his second-up outing by finishing a narrow short head behind WAITAK in the Gr.1 Howden Mile. Ran 2nd in the Gr.3 J. Swap Sprint last summer before winning the Gr.3 Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie in fine style. Has the ability to get up here if able to handle the distance.

☆☆

EAST COAST CHALLENGE FINAL

RACE 5 - 1400m SP COND

BUNKER HILL / NAVY DREAMS / PERFORMER

BUNKER HILL’s performance over 1400m at Te Rapa was highly impressive, and once Sam McNab secured clear running for the PROISIR gelding at the 200m mark, he demonstrated remarkable acceleration to burst thru late and secure a one-length victory. Trainer Margaret Falconer had the horse trialing well as a three-year-old, but up in trip as a more mature four-year-old, it seems things have clicked for the gelding. Little unpredictable so some risk.

☆☆☆☆

Based on the first up effort here behind FIRST UP, we should only expect further improvement from the Marsh runner NAVY DREAM. As a three-year-old the MERCHANT NAVY gelding was highly competitive but just missed that extra edge required to get into the finish. Ran 4th in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas and Gr.3 Manawatu Classic, so easily up to matching this lot as a major player, although may appreciate the mile more.

☆☆☆

We have some time for Robbie Patterson's four-year-old bay gelding PERFORMER, by CIRCUS MAXIMUS. He scored a significant win in September at Pukekura Raceway, New Plymouth after setting the pace over 1400m which followed two trial victories and a sound 2nd on debut. Crowded and checked when 3rd at Waverley last start, although yet to run on a firm track and that has to be the main concern. Plenty of potential though and worth some thought.

☆☆

THREE-YEAR-OLD SW&P

RACE 6 - 1400m

CONISTON / FORTUNATO / INCANDESCENT

The O’Sullivan/Scott team have a pretty exciting three-year-old on their hands in CONISTON, who completely missed the jump on debut when flying home late, but didn't make the same mistake twice, racing a little keenly before overpowering the opposition at Matamata. A WOOTTON BASSETT colt out of Le GAI SOLEIL, he appears packed with natural ability after trialing up a dream and only needs to find his feet early to be fully effective. This is a step up in class again but should be able to handle it.

☆☆☆☆

FORTUNATO was brilliant finishing best on debut after getting into the clear over 1200m at Taupo, but the PER INCANTO gelding failed to back up that fine performance when racing a little greenly in the Hawkes Bay Guineas (1400m). His trial work for the Lowry/Zydenbos team was pretty impressive prior and you can probably forgive that last start effort based on inexperience alone. Possibly would prefer it a bit softer so watch track conditions before any commitment.

☆☆☆

INCANDESCENT delivered a fine return performance for the James/Wellwood team after drifting to the rear early before sprinting hard from the turn to end up in 3rd place behind SYSTEM OF PLAY over 1400m at Ellerslie. The PER INCANTO gelding was ultra consistent during his two-year-old campaign but was always searching for more ground and will be even better up to the 1600m distance. May need this one as well but a firm track is ideal and look for him winding up like a steam train late.

☆☆

SPRING SPRINT OPEN G3

RACE 8 - 1400m

TARDELLI / WAR PRINCESS / ARABIAN SONGBIRD

These odds on TARDELLI seem more than generous and may be based on the wide gate, but the Marsh-trained I AM INVINCIBLE stallion is all quality and only needs to land in a nice position early to be effective. Typically settles back which can make late progress difficult, although returned with a tidy 5th in the Foxbridge when held up at the 300m and similar deal in the Proisir Plate when 4th. The ability is there and only needs some clear air late to get into the finish.

☆☆☆☆

WAR PRINCESS has returned in peak form with two impressive victories, and carrying 53kg, she must be regarded as a leading contender in this field. Won the Eulogy last summer before a hard-fought 4th in the Karaka Millions 3YO at Ellerslie. The team Didham trained mare came back and was strong winning here over 1200m before repeating the dose with a dominant performance up to 1300m. This is harder again, although Grylls sticks and drawn to gain a lovely run.

☆☆☆

We know how well the Kingsclere trained ARABIAN SONGBIRD goes at Ellerslie and the resuming run there for 4th was a satisfactory return to the track. The PIERRO mare was in dynamic form thid time last year, with dual victories at Ellerslie and an admirable 4th in the Thoroughbred Breeders from a wide gate. Off the scene for a long time before making ground over 1400m in Auckland, so likely to strip much sharper for this assignment. Masa in the saddle from a tidy draw puts her right in the picture.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 3 - 2000m

TULSA KING / PACIFIC PRINCESS / BILLY BLINX

Aaron Bidlake was sure his star horse TULSA KING was close to reaching peak performance and we did witness a late strong surge from well back going up in trip. And that is the key as the STAPHANOS gelding needs time to wind up as a genuine staying type. The horse secured second place in the Gingernuts Salver (2100m) this past January, though he occasionally lacks the necessary competitive resolve. Some faith required, although looks ready for a big one on his home course.

☆☆☆☆

We tipped out PACIFIC PRINCESS to throw down another top performance here as an underrated type and she went even better than we thought by winning the event stylishly. The John Bary-trained OCEAN PARK mare has always looked well capable and often surprises with a determined effort, and we expect more of the same here on Saturday. The current odds are favourable, and given her consistent form and peak physical condition, a repeat performance is well within reach.

☆☆☆

We don't feel BILLY BLINX is out of this, and he put in a much-improved performance going up in trip last start. The SHOCKING gelding has struggled to get back to his very best with a multitude of gear changes applied by the Clotworthy's designed to switch him on. Made ground at Te Rapa and Ellerslie over the mile before and did a few things wrong last start at the 2100m but fought well for 3rd at the 2100m. Puts it all together then a definite threat sitting on the same weight.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 10 - 1600m

ORIGIN OF LOVE / GUZZLER / ATAVUS

The Te Akau-trained ORIGIN OF LOVE is hard to go past with a fine record at the mile and based on his first up effort just has to be the one here. The SNITZEL mare finished 2nd to WAR PRINCESS in the Eulogy (1600m) last season then went on to finish runner-up to OHOPE WINS in the Hogan (2000m) at Ellerslie. Win the Wellington Guineas in March following a 3rd in the Windsor Park and held up late over the 1400m last start, and class is permanent. Ace gate, Nabba aboard, looks likely to go close.

☆☆☆☆

Willing to forgive GUZZLER for the last couple as he was trapped well back at Ellerslie and also dragged back before finishing off well for 5th on a Heavy Wellington track. We know this ALMANZOR gelding has some serious ability and the key is probably getting back up to the mile on a firm track. Does need to turns things around with a bold performance, although Kelly Myers seems a positive jockey change and we cannot let these massive odds go by for such a lightly raced horse.

☆☆☆

ATAVUS resumes from a decent layoff and a change of stable to Shaun and Hazel Fannin at Awapuni, so we have to presume the progressive stayer will from now on do much of his racing in the Central Districts and will probably enjoy going up over further. Nevertheless, the TARZINO gelding broke his maiden at the 1600m in May before charging late over 2100m at Ellerslie after racing wide. Settled handy to win at Wanganui and the trial victory over 1000m last week suggests he is very well forward to resume.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 1200m

GOLDEN WINGS / GRINZINGER MOON / LANDLOCK

Wow, how impressive was GOLDEN WINGS resuming at Ellerslie where he just put away a good field with ease, and there was no denying how dynamic he appeared in his first campaign last season. The beautifully bred SUPER SETH gelding claimed two win and three second place finishes before failing in the Aotearoa Classic, but seems to have returned in brilliant shape for the Nolan/Orting training team. Tricky gate however, sure to jump the gates and look to dictate terms.

☆☆☆☆

GRINZINGER MOON racked up two fine victories at Ellerslie in his first runs over 1100m on NZ soil after some strong results around the back blocks of Victoria. The PUISSANCE DE LUNE gelding now in the hands of the James/Wellwood team delivered a strong trial performance prior to resuming at Te Rapa, but raced three wide without cover throughout and best to forgive that run and go again with George Rooke taking the reins.

☆☆☆

We've always had a soft spot for LANDLOCK who has looked very good at times and showed up occasionally throughout his three-year-old season and was only just a touch off the very best. Not so good earlier in the year but did improve throughout the campaign and not too bad resuming for 5th making ground at Te Aroha. Got thru at the 200m to run 2nd to GOLDEN WINGS last start and it did look like the MERCHANT NAVY gelding appreciated the firmer footing at Ellerslie. Sam Collett aboard, nice inside gate - we like him here.

☆☆

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