OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1600m

CHECKMATE / POSITIVITY / SORGHANTANI

CHECKMATE just keeps on improving and could be the tough nut to get home over the top of them. Seems to prefer Ellerslie with two wins, wirh this his first run on the home course. Hampered early in the NZB Kiwi last year, before mounting a strong challenge to end up 3rd behind DAMASK ROSE and EVAPORATE. No luck in the Rosehill Guineas, and has enjoyed a slow build up for Wexford, with a tidy 3rd to QUEEN ZOU in the Rich Hill Mile and a fifth in the Aotearoa Classic at the latest. The MONGOLIAN KHAN gelding is bred to be sturdy and should be strong to the line with Grylls on. Firm track seemd the key, but fit enough now.

☆☆☆☆☆

Willing to give the ALMANZOR mare POSITIVITY some deep thought as she appears to he capable of much better, although Forsman has been paitent waiting for the right set up. Plodded away in the Gr.2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) on an unsuitable Heavy 8 Flemington, and completely thrown out by the slackened pace mid race in the Tesio (2040m) at the Valley. Three, then four wide in the Coongy Cup at Caulfield, so deserves a few things to finally fall her way. Trainer Andrew Forsman knows how good this mare is, having won Gr.3 Foundation Cup at Caulfield and Fillies Classic at Morphettville as a 3yo. We wouldn't be surprised to see a strong performance here as trackwork has impressed.

☆☆☆

We had the distinct pleasure of observing SORGHANTANI's impressive victories in the last two races at Ellerslie. Despite being underestimated in the market on both occasions, she delivered a truly commanding performance, driving powerfully to the finish line, and those fields were pretty strong. The MONGOLIAN KHAN mare looks to be in career best form and deserves this crack in Open class. With the 2kg claim we can see her featuring it able to reproduce anything close to those two previous runs. Does look a solid Each-way bet, although a big task up against CHECKMATE.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 2000m

SAVOIR FAIRE / THE UNDERBELLY / PERICLES

SAVOIR FAIRE is a class act at best, but not an easy horse to work out by any stretch. Looks equally well placed here to mount a bold challenge 3rd-up after returning from a long Melbourne stint. The SAVABEEL gelding has displayed glimpses of brilliance, like when four wide at Cranbourne but going away to win over 2025m in November 2024, and you only need to revisit her classy win when slow away, then bursting through the center at Caulfield over 2000m to win in fine style. The Walker/Bergerson team is anticipated to present the mare in peak condition following a few runs back on NZ soil, positioning her as a formidable contender in this event.

☆☆☆☆

Robbie Patterson identified the Queen Elizabeth as their primary objective for THE UNDERBELLY last season, but the gelding could find any dash in the preperation and was transferred to Cody Cole. THE UNDERBELLY possesses the quality staying pedigree necessary for a major victory, as he is a versatile horse, who can run close to the pace or chase from further back. Returned from a long spell to run 3rd over 1500m at Tauranga, then runner-up last start to SINHAMAN over 2200m at Ellerslie. Back in trip slightly but trust the stable/pedigree as he should hold some sound residual fitness.

☆☆☆

PERICLES is a much better competitior then his form suggests and he gets in quite well here. The RUBICK gelding performed well in season 2023/24, winning a few, including the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. Runner-up to LUBERON, then again over 1400m at Matamata before holding on gamely over the mile at Te Rapa. Not so prominent facing strong company otherwise, but could return to his old self after a fair effort at Ellerslie when forced to run wide. Liable to put up a fight with Rooke in the saddle and trust Pam Gerard to have the gelding spruced up a bit for this. Odds appear very generous.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1400m

THOOZA / PERFECT DIVIDENDS / AWATERE

Difficult to step over THOOZA based on the ALMANZOR mare’s fine 2nd to SHE'S A DEALER at Te Rapa in December when held up at the 400m. Sat in a nice position third off the fence over the 1500m and ended up only one length of a highly talented galloper, which is a reflection of her genuine progression. Brings that 'A' game attitude to the table, then should be hard to beat here. Won at Tauherenikau in November for trainer Tony Pike but ran on far too late last start. Sam McNab claims 2kg, so realistically THOOZA is right in this contest as a fit specimen ready to fire.

☆☆☆☆

PERFECT DIVIDENDS is just the type to unsettle the Feng Shui in this race after running so well in the Autumn and looks due to deliver a solid performance. Finished 2nd over 1200m in February last year, before two 2nd placing at Matamata, then a nice winner over 1400m at Tauranga. Fought hard behind FIRST FIVE at Te Aroha in the next, followed by another tough battle when 2nd to the Te Akau competitior FORCE OF NATURE. Won nicely at Counties over 1300m in January, then raced three wide without cover throughout last start over 1200m. Definitely capable of firing up here stepping up to the 1400m this time.

☆☆☆

AWATERE is a horse we've always had a fair amount of time for, and the PER INCANTO gelding looks to have returned in top shape for Tony Pike. Couldn't quite discover clear room turning for home over 1200m at Pukekohe, but fought on well to chase home SIBLING RIVARLY for 2nd over 1200m. Touch unlucky in a three-run Autumn campaign, running on well for 4th at Ellerslie after being crowded leaving the barriers, then shuffled back but hitting the line well for 2nd over 1500m at Te Rapa. Won well at Pukekohe at the latest, so shapes nicely for this and only needs some clear air to be fully effective.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 1200m

HAVE A CRACK / TRISTAR / HANKEE ALPHA

Chad Ormsby has a highly progressive sprinter in HAVE A CRACK, who had one run at Bendigo before transitioning to the Cambridge stables in the middle of 2025. Won easily on the Cambridge synthetic in August in his first NZ run, then burst through to win at Ellerslie and announce his arrival properly. Third to KITTY FLASH at Tauranga before a bold 2nd to the impressive SWEYNESDAY over 1100m back in Auckland. Slow, then over raced at Tauherenikau, but given a break and won a recent trial at Avondale, travelling well thought-out and letting down nicely. Fresh up seems the go as Ormsby has taken his sweet time preparing the horse for another campaign. Might be able to get away on them here with a positive ride.

☆☆☆☆

The O'Sullivan/Scott trained TRISTAR should be sitting on absolute peak after three very promising runs back and could prove hard to beat in this. By the strong sire EXCEEDANCE, the five-year-old mare took on hot company in her 3yo season, winning at Trentham and Te Rapa in May 2025 on Heavy 10 tracks. Battled closer for 3rd resuming here over 1200m in December, followed by a powerful effort for 2nd coming wider at Tauranga, then 3rd over 1200m at Te Rapa. Really just needs to jump away well and find a clean trailing spot without interference and build momentum once turning for home.

☆☆☆

The Wexford team will also present HANKEE ALPHA in fine condition after three runs back from a long break and the recent 3rd and 2nd placings in strong fields at Ellerslie suggests the PROISIR mare is 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 twelve months ago. Took on some high calibre three-year-olds in the Almanzor Trophy and Uncle Remus, and not embarrassed with two 5th placings. Much tougher in the NZB KIWI, but the batch of barrier trials to prepare were good. Quality trackwork reflects a horse ready to fire, and the wide gate was a burden last start, so look for a big one.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 9 - 1400m

LYIN EYES / SARTI / GENERAL MENARI

Really like the look of the Chris Wood trained LYIN EYES, who will only carry 53kg here after the Sienna Brown claim, which shows some serious intent. Game winning her maiden over 1300m at Ellerslie in November, then fought closer when 5th behind GOLDEN WINGS at Te Rapa. Lost ground early, but came on the inside to run 3rd to KHALEESI at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day and based on her super trial when matching MISS JONES for pace prior to this prep, we can't understand these odds. Drawn much better than the other two, so just needs a fair trail to be featuring. Can win in our opinion, but Each-way is safe.

☆☆☆☆

Beautifully bred Pencarrow gelding SARTI launched his racing career in style with an impressive come-from-behind victory in a 1200m Maiden at Tauranga. Sarti showed an explosive turn of foot and powered past six rivals in the straight, hitting the front less than 30 metres from the finish and pulling away to be almost a length in front at the line. Trained by Bev and Ken Kelso, the SNITZEL gelding is owned by Sir Peter Vela, so be warned. He is out of the top-class Pencarrow homebred mare GUISEPPINA, who won the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m). SARTI almost toppled MISS JONES at Te Rapa last start and if able to overcome this wide gate then good enough to win. Looks very talented.

☆☆☆

The Wexford trained GENERAL MENARI looks a serious player, but was a bit disappointing last start despite running 3rd to TALE OF THE GYPSY at Te Rapa. Possibly searching for the most favourable track conditions and ideal barrier draw, but we know the O'Sullivan/Scott team have a high opinion of this three-year-old MENARI gelding. Won two from three trials before game on debut when winning at Taupo over 1100m in October and he looked very sharp in doing so. Held back slightly since then to build more strength, although likely to present in much harder condition here and potentially ready to throw down big time. Also scores a tricky draw, which is the main concern.

☆☆

THREE-YEAR-OLD SW&P

RACE 3 - 1200m

UPTOWN / BURNERPHONE / THE ESPY

Te Akau look to have a nice SAVABEEL filly in UPTOWN, who settled midfield before finishing best to win at Tauranga last start over 1600m. Appeared strong enough in her first two maiden runs, and now seems to have worked it all out aided by some astute handlers. She is out of a Southern mare in URBAN (O'Reilly) whose mother METROPOLITAN was very talented in those regions. Seems well-positioned here from the ace draw with Craig Grylls in the saddle and can carry on her winning ways.

☆☆☆☆

BURNERPHONE from the Benjamin King barn has been an absolute model of consistency, culminating in a last start victory over 1600m at Ellerslie. Was humming along prior, running 3rd at Tauranga then runner-up to a good one in ARTHUR at Te Rapa before kicking hard to win in Auckland. The three-year-old MICROPHONE filly looks to have plenty of upside and could easily repeat the dose here if able to replicate that run. Claims 2kg with Hassman aboard, so just has to be taken seriously as a filly who can only continue to improve with more racing.

☆☆☆

THE ESPY finished 5th on debut after looming up at the 200m, however the US NAVY FLAG gelding was three wide in the open and that effort told. Three wide again at Tauranga over 1100m, but was too strong from the turn at Te Rapa, with his class as a strong young juvenile showing. The Forsman three-year-old gelding is fairly resilient, but was really disappointing last start at Te Rapa when producing nothing and failing to pick up on turning in. Scratch that and expect a much better performance here based on the previous run when a solid 4th at Tauranga.

☆☆

BEST BET: CHECKMATE

NEXT BEST: THOOZA

BEST VALUE: HAVE A CRACK

LONGSHOT: LYIN EYES