MAIDEN SPRINT

RACE 1 - 1200m

TOMAHAWK / OCEAN BEAU / LEICA RIPA

Andrew Forsman will bring TOMAHAWK down to debut in Wellington and he could turn out to be a nice ARDROSSAN gelding. Will need to navigate the chute, and it is s big trip away, although the stable and jockey rate his raw ability. Probably not worth touching under $3.50 to win, and definitely not a shoe in by any margin - well worth the risk.

MAIDEN THREE-YEAR-OLD

RACE 2 - 1000m

SPARK / PAPER MOON / COSMIC DREAM

The daughter of TIME TEST in SPARK overcame the outside barrier to finish a gallant fourth in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes for co-trainer, breeder and owner Guy Lowry. Has trialled up very nicely and go much better Sunday, with trackwork suggesting the filly is on song. Plenty of talk around this horse and we’re willing to buy into the hype.

MAIDEN 1400

RACE 3 - 1400m

GOLDEN LOCKS / HARD ROCK CAFE / BAKE THE CAKE

Expecting a bold debut from the ALMANZOR gelding GOLDEN LOCKS from the Peter Lock yard, as he did win a 1300m Taupo trial three weeks ago. Odds seem pretty generous for such a well-bred type, as the sires’ offspring are firing on all cylinders. Willing to suggest a winning debut is on the cards coming out of this astute Te Aroha stable with Masa aboard.

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1600m

SPERLARI / TOP DOLLAR / EIZUS

Don't be too concerned about the run of SPERLARI when three wide without cover throughout last start at Puke. Close to striking top form after two runs back and third-up will have the VANBRUGH mare arriving here in fine shape. Could have a bit on most of these coming down from the Cody Cole stable and really should be ready to fire big time as well-suited on this roomy course.

☆☆☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 2100m

TISSE / IDENTIKIT / BATTLE SECERT

Kelly Myers will steer TISSE for the Allan Sharrock stable and this BELARDO gelding looks very well placed to rack up another win. Second at Te Rapa and Otaki, with a fine win over 2100m at Ellerslie in-between, so he hasn’t done much wrong and should be in rock hard condition. We think he will be too strong for them here and weighted to take it out.

☆☆☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 2200m

PLATINUM GODDESS / NOT SO UNUSAL / LATEST MODEL

The Latta-trained PLATINUM GOODDESS was impressive winning over 2040m at Wanganui last start and the mare was super strong challenging from the turn. Not the kindest gate, although Leighton will have time to settle her into a soft spot and stoke her up late. Massive odds, so plenty of risk associated, but we do like her to run TOP4.

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 1200m

DEALT WITH / FANCY LIKE LASS / INSATIABLE

The James/Wellwood DEALT WITH needed the first up run, but third was admirable and the ACE HIGH mare did run 3rd to DAMASK ROSE in the Karaka Millions 3YO earlier in the year and 2nd to SETHIO in the Uncle Remus. All things being fair, he should have too much on them here as a high-class gelding aiming for some bigger races over the summer period.

☆☆☆☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1400m

MA TE WA / WINGMAN / FRENCH DOLL

Another standout on the card is the TIME TEST gelding MA TE WA from the Patterson barn. High quality at best and has probably appreciated a nice break. 3kg claim, can go forward and was Uber impressive over the winter period. Hard to ignore any horse coming to Wellington from this stable, as Robbie rarely gets it wrong when making a road trip. Fresh up looks awfully hard to beat.

☆☆☆☆

BEST BET: DEALT WITH

NEXT BEST: TISSE

BEST VALUE: NOT SO UNUSUAL

WILDCARD: PLATINUM GODDESS