HOWDEN INSURANCE MILE G1

RACE 8 - 1600m WFA

LA CRIQUE / TUXEDO / HERBERT

The VADAMOS mare LA CRIQUE is an absolutely brilliant galloper on her day, and almost got the job done in the Gr.1 Proisir, only to be run down by QUINTESSA flashing by late after running three wide throughout the trip. Too strong when winning the Gr.1 WFA Otaki-Maori Classic (1600m) in early 2024, before defeating FOXY FRIDA in the NAT Classic F&M (1600m) at Eagle Farm. Resumed in Nov with a 2nd to WILD NIGHT, then flew late with an awesome burst to win the Gr.2 Auckland Breeders (1400m). Runner-up Mufhasa at Trentham, then lost the bob to SNAZZYTAVI in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic, before finishing 2nd to EL VENCEDOR twice in the Herbie Dyke and Bonecrusher Stakes (2000m). Expect a similar powerful performance like we saw in the Proisir and certainly deserves a G1 here.

☆☆☆☆

Willing to allow TUXEDO another chance as the TIVACI gelding was hindered in the Proisir, but still ran quite well after racing a bit keenly. Nevertheless, his three-year-old season was imposing. Won at Te Aroha before taking out the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m), then finished 2nd over the mile to Derby winner WILLYDOIT at Ellerslie. Challenged hard and proved his mettle when 2nd to DAMASK ROSE in the 3YO Karaka Millions, then went on to win the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) with a powerful display pouncing on them at the 250m. Smashed them up at Ruakaka on a wet track and can match these quality gallopers once again on a Soft to Heavy surface.

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One horse that went ok in the Proisir aftar a tough trip but will most certainly be overlooked here is the John Wheeler trained HERBERT, who stepped it up massively last season. The SWEET ORANGE gelding won at Wanganui before taking out the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m), then the Wairere Falls Classic at Matamata. Fought on well in the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga before failing in the Easter. Trapped wide in the Plate resuming fresh and the mile 2nd-up with Kelly Myers aboard is a nice set up. Willing to suggest the Heavy 10 will suit and if he gets rolling along then could cause an upset.

☆☆

BCD GROUP SPRINT

RACE 5 - 1200m

MIDNIGHT EDITION / WILD NIGHT / ARDALIO

Small-time Pukekohe breeder and trainer Bruce Wallbank has a fine horse on his hands in MIDNIGHT EDITION, who performed well as a three-year-old. Beat home CHECKMATE last Sept, then relegated after dead-heating with YALDI in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas. Raced wide in the Waikato Guineas before winning again over 1200m at Pukekohe in Feb. Took on some high quality horses and racing incredibly well, winning here on a Soft 5 in April, then resumed with a stunning victory over TWAIN in an open sprint on a Heavy 10 at Te Rapa. Could go to another level this prep based on that effort and worth following here.

☆☆☆☆

The beautiful big Te Akau chestnut WILD NIGHT would probably appreciate a firm track here, but she can handle the sting out of the track and has to resume at some stage. Thr VANBURGH mare experienced a stunning three-year-old season and was right amongst it running in classy company. Came back well after injury late last year to win at Matamata and Tauranga before an unlucky Australian three race campaign which netted nothing. Two fair runs in the spring, with the Walker/Bergerson team building her towards some major target races. Possesses a great kick and can get into this if the pace is on and the track is playing fair.

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What this mare ARDALIO lacks in experience she makes up in ability, and resumes here after a fine intial campaign. Won at Matamata on debut, then finished 2nd to SOUGHT AFTER in a 3YO 1200m event at Ellerslie to start the New year. Brilliant when being 9th, then wider on the turn before edging away in the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy at Ellerslie. Not so lucky when trapped out in the Champagne Stakes and NZB Kiwi, but still didn't embarrass herself. The ARDROSSAN mare trained by Stephen Marsh then won the Cambridge Breeders to cap off a great season and her trial work has been first rate. Soft 5 looks ideal but could go alright fresh up with the ability to win.

☆☆

HAWKE'S BAY GUINEAS G2

RACE 6 - 1400m 3YO SW

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION / HE WHO DARES / BULGARI

Pam Gerard pulled of a major upset when her filly AFFIRMATIVE ACTION came out and smashed a nice field in the Sir Colin Meads Trophy paying $91 at fixed odds. The YES YES YES filly showed enough at the trials and finished 3rd to TO BRAVERY BORN at Taupo, so the filly wasn't exactly flying undet the radar. Gerard is delighted to have another classy three-year-old in her Matamata stable, having guided fellow Karaka graduate SAVAGLEE to win the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas and three G2 races last season. It appears she has another outstanding filly on her hands and she will tey to head them off once again.

☆☆☆☆

HE WHO DARES was charging at AFFIRMATIVE ACTION in the Meads Trophy, and almost got there after getting out late. Won at Wanganui on debut, then finished 2nd to star Te Akau stablemate RETURN TO CONQUER in the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper. Battled away in the Sistema before a spell, then trialled up well prior to resuming at Ellerslie. Drew the inside gate there which wasn't ideal, now has to contend with a sticky wider gate, although Opie should be able to score some cover before launching at them and will have the space. Serious ability and can go one better.

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BULGARI is one worth considering after displaying some ability in only two raceday starts. The HELLO YOUMZAIN colt trained by the Weatherley's put down a nicely timed run to win over 1200m on debut at Te Rapa in April before they put him away and shut the barn door in preparation for his three-year-old campaign. Trialled up well before settling back in the Meads Trophy, then offering up a wide late charge for 6th. Really was a solid effort in a high class field after drawing wide and lands a particularly handy gate here if able to find some early speed out of the barriers.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 2 - 2100m

TREGOR / WHITE MASK / ROC UP RALPH

It's hard to go past the RELIABLE MAN gelding TREGOR who couldn't be any more consistent and really should have a few more wins in the column but has banked a couple this prep. Offered up a big finish to win over the mile at Matamata, then gave it plenty to win here on a Heavy 9. Second to DROP OF SOMETHING up to 2100m last start and likely to be in hard condition for another big effort. When conditions become challenging, his performance lifts, showcasing his ability as a strong wet-weather runner, and he appears well-suited to the Hamilton track and this distance.

☆☆☆☆

Donna Logan took WHITE MASK to New Plymouth last start no doubt to add some confidence and the RELIABLE MAN mare did well to run on for 3rd on a very heavy Taranaki track. Game win over 1600m at Pukekohe in June before challenging from midfield to win again with a big finish at Avondale. Did it easy over 1800m at New Plymouth after rearing and being slow away. Despite some inexperience, Logan has a highly progressive stayer on her hands and the mare does appear well positioned here with Wazza Kennedy in the saddle. Great odds and don't discount.

☆☆☆

The Clotworthy's scratched ROC UP RALPH from the hurdles at Te Aroha last week, which signals to us they believe he has another fine flat run left in him. The ROC DE CAMBES gelding is a gutsy character who finished 2nd over 2200m at Rotorua in July before winning his maiden hurdle over 3100m at Te Aroha with a big finish. Super brave when 2nd to LORD GOLIATH over 2400m here, then returned to the jumping caper when 1st over 3000m at Woodville. Stuck to the task finishing 2nd in the Jericho, New Zealand’s longest flat race and will be the fittest horse here.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 1 - 1400m

ASTORIA BROOKE / BOURBON PROOF / FAMILY TIES

ASTORIA BROOKE has looked very good on the Waikato track and has came up nicely last prep. Big, late finish to win at Tauranga in Dec, then ran on well in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie. Unlucky in the next two when held up before leading late to win over the mile at Te Rapa. Held on well up to BM75 grade at Hawera and offered the same level of determination. The AMERICAN PHAROAH gelding trained by Cody Cole is out of a nice IFFRAAJ mare in ASTOR, who ran 2nd to MELODY BELLE at Ellerslie and displayed some strong sprint ability. Her daughter has gone forward recently and looked very sharp in an Ellerslie trial.

☆☆☆☆

The smart Stephen Marsh JUSTIFY gelding BOURBON PROOF experienced a solid three-year-old campaign and ran among the very best of his age group. Finished 2nd to CHECKMATE in the ArmaCup at Ellerslie before kicking away to win over the mile at Matamata. Battled well for a credible 4th to DAMSK ROSE in the 3YO Karaka Millions in January before fighting well when 2nd to TUXEDO in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas. Run down by the Australian, DOCTOROFLOVE in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) before failing badly with a rough run in the NZ Derby at Ellerslie. No go in the Trelawney to finish off the prep, although has trialled up well and a big run fresh wouldn't shock.

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Following a reasonably successful southern campaign, the Te Akau trained mare, FAMILY TIES returns to the north. By the sire CONTRIBUTER, she boasts the classical PINS/O'REILLY line of pedigree with a fine maternal lineage. Won at Ashburton when first down there, then at Riccarton, but overall could of been more competitive. Back home at Matamata we may see a better version emerge, as the mare can boot it going over the mile. Worth throwing into multiples to see how she returns.

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 3 - 1100m

POKURU GOLD / MISS ROCKETTE / I AM NUTZ

The DARCI BRAHMA gelding POKURA GOLD has drawn poorly here, but he is a super talented sprinter from the Te Akau stable who has the ability to overcome adversity. Finished 2nd over 1200m at Waverley in April then really amped it up by pulling away over 1100m at Ellerslie. Made the bend awkwardly when 3rd to VELOCIOUS on a shifty Te Rapa track, before proving too strong returning to Auckland. Claims 4kg with Sage Duric aboard and that rider inexperience must be the biggest concern, although fresh up he goes well.

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We do rate the EL ROCA mare MISS ROCKETTE who has been close up on multiple occasions and deserves consideration here fresh up. Ran some super races last summer, winning over 1200m at Ellerslie, then not far off them at Tauranga and Te Aroha. Two trials haven't been too bad and Stephen Marsh could have the mare in reasonable shape to resume. There is a robustness about the mare, with the dam by ZABEEL which allows her to truck along at quite a strong tempo. Gets into a tudy position early then could be

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We only experienced a small salty taste of I AM NUTZ last prep, although the I AM INVINCIBLE gelding displayed plenty of potential for the Te Akau team. Finished third here in only his second run, then led all the way over 1100m at Te Aroha for a strong win. Hunted the lead at Wanganui looking a little green, however the gelding still hung on over 1350m. Well named being by the mare PECANS, whose mother was named WALNUT, but certainly breed to be good and capable of running a solid sprint rwce fresh up.

☆☆

BEST BET: LA CRIQUE

NEXT BEST: ASTORIA BROOKE

BEST VALUE: BULGARI

LONGSHOT: ROC UP RALPH