TARANAKI BREEDERS STAKES G3

RACE - 1400m F&M

TAJANA / TELLUM / PLOY

TAJANA hit the wall a little bit in the last 100m over 1300m first up at Ellerslie and it probably cost her the win, so that will clean her right up and the month between races should have the mare spot on for Hawera. The Group 1 performer has been working well for the Ritchie/Murray team and seems a more mature DARCI BRAHMA mare who won the Sunline Vase in her three-year-old campaign, 3rd to WELL WRITTEN in the Soliloquy before a 3rd to OHOPE WINS in the Fillies Classic at Te Rapa.

☆☆☆☆

TELLUM has the ability to quickly step it up after racing three-wide without cover resuming at Hastings and it was a total forgive. The OCEAN PARK mare won over 1400m at Te Aroha last November, then caused a huge upset for trainer Debbie Sweeney when taking out the Gr.2 Eight Carat at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. Defeated some nice types that day and hadn't raced since then but did trial up well in August. Could bob up here.

☆☆☆

Not sure if PLOY starts here or in the Rating 75, however if Cody Cole goes this way with the PROISIR mare we would seriously consider her as a live chance based on the last start victory. Finished off stylishly over 1400m at Te Rapa and it was a bold effort fresh up. Won at Te Aroha and Wanganui late last year and she has shown plenty of promise winning half of her six starts. Just follow the mare wherever she starts.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE - 2100m

MAZOR BLUE / SUNSET BOULEVARD / CONEY ISLAND

MAZOR BLUE was hindered by a slow start in the Gr.3 Metric Mile at Trentham; however, her performance was acceptable given that the wet track conditions were not optimal for her profile. Pretty much the same case resuming at Hastings however, the ALMANZOR mare did catch the eye and any firming of the track would be a bonus here stepping up to a nice staying trip. Won a Wellington Cup and top effort in the Auckland Cup, so will only get better with more racing.

☆☆☆☆

SUNSET BOULEVARD was a little disappointing first up at Riccarton after trialing up so well twice at Foxton, but we can probably forgive as he probably would have far appreciated a better track over the 1800m. The Kevin Myers trained EMINENT gelding win over this distance in March after winning two down in Christchurch over the 2000m last November. Should be better positioned to play a more prominent role and quite dangerous.

☆☆☆

We've stuck by the SACRED FALLS gelding CONEY ISLAND ever since his brilliant victory at Wanganui way back in May, but despite run consistently in the months after, he just hasn't been able to get over the line first. Top dual efforts down at Riccarton, finishing 2nd at Riccarton a week apart following a 2nd at Otaki. Ok when 4th at Hasting last start and his fitness levels should still be holding firm. Risky, but the ability is there.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE - 1400m

SPERLARI / EMPIRICAL / ALTARI

We loved the look of SPERLARI returning to the track in Auckland after a stunning trial win, and after jumping away awkwardly, the Cole-trained mare finished well into 4th place over the 1300m. The lightly-raced VANBURGH mare has looked quite impressive at times and seems to have come up in forward condition. Wouldn't surprise us if she was primed to run a big race here but hopefully on a more stable surface than the Heavy 9.

☆☆☆☆

Another who impressed us with a standout trial was the EMINENT gelding EMPIRICAL who finished best to win fresh up over 1200m at Taupo. Failed to finish off effectively at Te Rapa 2nd-up, although his best results have come on testing track and the gelding might strike the perfect conditions here. Willing to persevere with this Ramsey/Ritchie trained horse who can bounce back and offer up a stronger effort leading from the front.

☆☆☆

ALTARI was magic for us winning at top odds at Pukekohe last December and proved he could foot it with some good Thoroughbreds. Knocked around at Ellerslie before a 4th over the mile at Wanganui when laying out and 3rd at Matamata running on generously. The SAVABEEL mare has completed two tidy trials for team Te Akau and she does seem ready to run well, even on a challenging wet track.

☆☆