OPEN HANDICAP

RACE - 1600m

DRESSE' PAR JOLIE / CHEVAL DE FOUDRE / TOBAIS

The Alan Sharrock trained DRESSE PAR JOLIE was slow away and still well back on the turn resuming at New Plymouth, which was the opposite to when last seen, winning over 1600m on her home course in October. Jumps straight up to a staying trip having not raced since May 23. It will be interesting to see how the TAVISTOCK mare arrives but highly talented at best and the 4kg Wigram claim has her on the minimum.

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CHEVAL DE FOUDRE has been close up in all four runs back this prep for Mark Oulaghan and must be in the right condition to go one better. Second at Waipuk to BONNARD and Taranaki chasing home METAVERSE before fighting hard behind MCKHAN over 2060m at Wanganui June 13. Will be hard to beat here for sure and only has to run up to the same standard to be competitive. Weighted to win this with Dell aboard.

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TOBIAS looks due a change of fortune and his form turned this time last year when 3rd at Hawera after a couple of runs in. Won over 2000m at Taranaki in September, then 2nd here before taking on EL VENCEDOR in the Balmerino at Ellerslie which was a bit too adventurous. Raced wide throughout at New Plymouth and very Heavy when 6th behind BRADMAN at Trentham so with conditions to suit well off here.

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OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 2 - 1200m

IMA BRAZEN ONE / CAITLYN'S WISH / PRIORESS

There's no doubt IMA BRAZEN ONE is a classy sprint mare as shown winning her last two at Otaki and Trentham, proving just too strong after setting the pace. This field is certainly no better for the Awapuni trained BRAZEN BEAU mare with the pedigree through ANABAA on the mother's side providing the slick heels. Can make it a hat trick.

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CAITLYN'S WISH ran out of steam at Te Rapa after leading them up early until the 350m and ventures to the CD probably a sharper unit for the run. Possibly still worth considering as merely a fitness building exercise away to provide extra confidence, however, at her best this mare goes quick. Will want it wet but a Soft 7 is totally compatible. Beware any Northern visitor to Hawera.

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PRIORESS gave the Tauranga Classic a crack last start and although things didn't go to plan, her prior lead in form was notable. Placed at Waverley behind LUCULLAN before winning with s tough effort at New Plymouth. Fought on for 3rd to IMA BRAZEN ONE at Trentham and quite an adaptable type capable of featuring once again. Shouldn't be taken lightly.

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BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 1400m

INDIAN GOLD / KERITI / SOTIRIO

Despite ending up 9th fresh up over 1400m at Woodville, we thought INDIAN GOLD got home nicely that last little bit and should offer much more 2nd-up. Finished 2nd to LOTUS at Te Rapa last June, then placed two more times on the Waikato track before racing wide throughout but still pulling it off over the mile at New Plymouth. Probably appreciate that trip better, but if the OCEAN PARK mare jumps away with them she will be a threat.

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KERITI has progressed very well this prep, winning at Wanganui on s Heavy 10 in April at the 1360m, then doing it comfortably on the Awapuni synthetic last start at a similar distance. Trackwork suggests the DARCI BRAHMA gelding is in fine shape and likely to be in peak condition for this contest. Has the ability to win this.

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Pretty disappointed with the performance of SOTIRIO at Trentham when slow away, but that track can be a graveyard in the very Heavy range and it was super challenging for all. The Eales trained mare is certainly not the easiest to catch but they are pressing with on with her and she will pop up when you least expect it.

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BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1400m

MR MARIGOLD / SHAMELESS BOY / BREADWINNER

The SPIETH gelding MR MARIGOLD was tidy for 3rd behind CREMANT at Otaki in April, then did it tough running on heels in the next and shifting around at the 100m. Handy trial at Foxton since and we expect mich better from the ex Australian galloper running on her home course after performing so well in the north last winter.

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SHAMELESS BOY returned from a let up but folded fast in the straight after setting the pace over the mile at Te Rapa. The SHAMEXPRESS gelding resumed at Waverley in May having not raced since March 2025 and ran on ok. Better at New Plymouth for 3rd when fighting hard despite running three wide with no cover and it looked like he was coming right. May need this one as well but not the worst in an average field.

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The Sharrock-trained BREADWINNER would be better suited resuming on a rain effected track and last won at Hawera over 1600m on a Heavy 10 in August. The Grey RELIABLE MAN mare is lightly raced for a four-year-old but has looked good at times. Unfortunately tends to be slow away every time, although the 1400m could be a nice fit first up.

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BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 1200m

AMAZING SON / JELLY ROLL / MISS DIXIE

The odds on the Latta runner AMAZING SON are pretty reasonable as the BELARDO gelding looks a stand out in this field. Finished 2nd twice here at Egmont last August to begin his career before setting the pace and kicking hard to win at Wanganui. One run back with a 2nd at Woodville and should be ready to go second up. Will go forward and allow himself every chance.

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JELLY ROLL comes to the CD for Sam Logan and will thrive on a really Heavy track, so more rain works in his favour. The SWISS ACE gelding fought bravely to hold on at Te Aroha on a seriously testing track and worked hard for 3rd at Tauranga last start after running second on the outer. The 4kg Wigram claim is the biggest bonus and appears the biggest threat to the fave.

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MISS DIXIE may be an eight-year-old mare now and her formline doesn't inspire much confidence, but one thing she does do is go fast. Needed the fresh run and four wide at Woodville didn't help, before going too hard up to the 1400m at Trentham. Did finish 3rd here last August and although she looks a forlorn hope, we have a sneaky feeling with the light weight she can lead them up for a long way. Super hail Mary.

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BEAT BET: IMA BRAZEN ONE

NEXT BEST: INDIAN GOLD

BEST VALUE: MR MARIGOLD

WILDCARD: DRESSE PAR JOLIE