OPEN HANDICAP
RACE 8 - 1500m

JAEGER / WILLYDOIT / TISSE

Robbie Patterson’s JAEGER is in excellent form this preparation, with the TIME TEST gelding delivering an impressive performance to win the Interprovincial (1600m) at New Plymouth on a Heavy 9 surface, despite facing traffic issues around the turn. Kicked hard and too strong winning at Waverley in May, and loomed up to win at Taupo resuming in August. Just in immaculate condition at present and if able to hold that form then a serious contender.

WILLYDOIT resumed in the Proisir Plate at a distance well short of his best and really didn't look too bad even though the TARZINO gelding wound up at the rear. Reports indicate that he has returned significantly stronger following his unsuccessful campaign in Australia, suggesting he is poised for an improved performance - and he is a Derby winner, so the big ownership team will be hoping for a return to form.

TISSE underperformed in the Queen Elizabeth Cup at Ellerslie following a victory at Trentham in December, subsequently facing challenges in two northern starts. The gelding later secured a third-place finish in the Rangitiki Gold Cup and demonstrated strong form over the mile at Te Rapa, recovering some lost pride. Although trainer Alan Sharrock has not campaigned the BELARDO gelding since July, his resumption at this distance presents as a compelling prospect.


OPEN HANDICAP
RACE 7 - 1200m

SWEET SMILE / VEGAS QUEEN / MA TE WA

SWEET SMILE demonstrated exceptional form for trainer Jenna Mahoney during his previous preparation, progressing rapidly through the grades after a maiden victory at Counties in February. He displayed significant strength with a 1500m win at Ellerslie in April, followed by consecutive high-quality performances over 1400m in Auckland. He most recently delivered a competitive second-place finish while setting the pace in Open class, and his latest trial was ultra smooth.

VEGAS QUEEN demonstrated exceptional form with consecutive victories at Ellerslie last year, though her subsequent performances in the Aotearoa Classic and Wairere Falls were underwhelming prior to her 1200m win at Te Rapa in May. Under the guidance of trainer Kenny Rae, the PROISIR mare has completed a strong preparation, and we anticipate another successful campaign. Given her proficiency at this distance and the suitable soft track conditions from this barrier, she is well-positioned for an effective season opener.

MA TE WA is a high-calibre, versatile mare by TIME TEST, well-regarded for her strong performance capabilities over 1200m when fresh. Having previously secured a first-up victory over 1400m at Trentham following a 1000m trial win, she arrives well-prepared by Robbie Patterson after a recent 1200m trial success at Foxton. Given her favourable draw and the booking of jockey Grylls, she remains a formidable contender that warrants serious consideration.

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP
RACE 9 - 1400m

PADDY THE FARMER / PULSATILLA / BOLI BELLE

PADDY THE FARMER, conditioned by Cody Cole, secured a victory at Trentham over 1400m in March by establishing the pace and utilising the inside rail. Although the OCEAN EMPEROR gelding has faced recent challenges, he previously demonstrated potential with a notable win against MISS FLADGATE and CHEERIO last October. While there are no recent trials to reference, his current trackwork suggests he is in competitive form.

PULSATILLA settled midfield resuming at Ellerslie but had no luck in the straight trying to obtain clear racing room. Nevertheless, the trial prior at Ruakaka was quite noteworthy and the REDWOOD gelding showed his true ability when winning the Eagle Memorial at Ellerslie last November before taking on powerful 3yo company and suffered similar misfortune with not much working out. With room to move we could see an immediate return to form.

The Te Akau-trained BOLLI BELLE finished late on the inner resuming at Te Aroha on a Heavy track and did little in two preparatory trials, although not a noted trialler. Did it easy on debut at Wanganui in February before finishing best over 1400m at Matamata and looking a rising star. Ran on in the Windsor Park Trophy for 4th then put aside by the team. Could be good to go 2nd-up on a firm deck.


BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP
RACE 1 - 2100m

MULAN ARDECHE / MERRIAMA / ALLACES

Stephen Marsh has been running MULAN ARDECHE on the synthetic since June and won the last over 2000m running handy before returning to the turf at Ellerslie but was bumped around on the turn and missed out on jumping ahead with the leaders, although she still finished off ok. The DUNDEEL mare is a little bit of an enigma but will prefer a firm track and you cannot knock her fitness. We believe she is right in this at very attractive odds.

MERRIAMA is a four-year-old DARCI BRAHMA mare trained by Kylie Hoskin at Byerley Park who only broke her maiden at Ruakaka in August. Returned there for a 2nd to MISS SETH over the 1600m, then a tidy 3rd close up at Ellerslie and drops 4kg on that effort. Soft track suits well and up to this staying trip for the first time does make her inclusion interesting, although McNab sticks firm.

Trainer Lance Gussey has the ACE HIGH mare ALLACES ripping it up over the longer distances and it is hard to knock a horse coming off a strong win at Ellerslie after setting the pace. Excellent last prep, winning over the 1600m at Pukekohe before finishing 3rd to FREEBIRD in Auckland hitting the lead on the turn but weakening thst last bit over the 2100m. Same deal on a Heavy Tauranga working to the lead but unable to hold out PRISCA. Trip may test 2nd-up, although back in fine shape.


BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP
RACE 4 - 1600m

COSMIC PURSUIT / UPTOWN / FASTDEELDUN

The ZOUSTAR gelding COSMIC PURSUIT hasn't drawn particularly well considering he is fresh up following two trials, however he did improve throughout his first campaign culminating in a maiden win over 2000m at Matamata in March and a few close up finishes in steong BM65 grade. Far from awful chasing home SPECIAL SAKURA and EL VENCEDOR in the 1300m trial at Ellerslie, so capable of a bold first up effort if McNab Jnr can position him away.

Based on her resuming run, pedigree and elite stable, UPTOWN appears right in this contest and will have the services of Hayley Hassman, which seems a positive move. Only three runs by the SAVABEEL mare last summer prep, culminating in a victory finishing best at the mile in Tauranga. Gradual buildup at the trials, but made ground for third over the 1400m fresh up at Ruakaka and we should expect more improvement here up to the mile.

We were keen on FASTDEELDUN at Ellerslie in January and the DUNDEEL gelding duly delivered over the 2100m with a strong run bursting through late. Battled in the next two before a game 2nd to GIPPSY GOD over 2200m back in Auckland and needed the resuming run over the 1600m settling well back. May need this one as well and a bit further, but certainly the type to surprise if put in the right spot early.

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP
RACE 5 - 1200m

PERFORMER / NAVY ENSIGN / RIOJA

If Craig Grylls can kick PERFORMER out of the stalls early then the CIRCUS MAXIMUS gelding can go another big race, but the draw is tricky. Finished 2nd at Rotorua and New Plymouth on the Heavy stuff before breaking his maiden over 1400m after a freshen up by Robbie Patterson. Whether he will enjoy conditions is hard to say, although the gelding won his first trial on a Soft 5 and seems progressive enough.

NAVY ENSIGN was dynamic throughout his three-year-old prep, close up to begin with before a solid performance to win a 1600m at Pukekohe defeating SOLID GOLD in the process. Game in defeat behind LA DIEM at Ellerslie in the next to end the campaign and defeated a couple of good ones in an 1100m trial at Ellerslie recently, so looks well forward to resume for Murray Thompson and will be hard to beat from the draw.

RIOJA is an ALMANZOR mare who has caught our eye a few times and we expect her to set the pace from this tidy inside gate and take up the running. Third on debut before a 2nd to PARTY TIME at Taupo and got the monkey off her back winning at Matamata in March after kicking hard from the turn. Good first jumpout on the poly before another 1000m at Te Rapa but probably strike a better track here which will help.

THREE-YEAR-OLD SW&P
RACE 6 - 1200m

STROMLINIEN / WITH A VENGEANCE / SHALABIYA

Willing to think outside the square and opt for a horse in STROMLINIEN we grabbed on debut at Ellerslie when winning impressively. That was way back in January, and the three runs since have been a tough watch. Settled back three wide in the Karaka Millions 2YO, then came back in April to finish on into 4th from midfield in the Starway Stakes after racing three-wide without cover throughout. Settled second last in the Sunline Vase resuming and once again did it rough at the rear, but only needs to find a decent spot here to be effective.

WITH A VENGEANCE trialed up stylishly for the Te Akau stable at Waipa before resuming at Ellerslie, and it a fine return to racing setting the pace before kicking strongly. The EXCEED AND EXCEL gelding won on debut at Avondale over 12 months ago, then not so prominent in his only other raceday sighting last season at Pukekohe. The Walker/Bergerson team now have a much more robust three-year-old on their hands and he looks a hot chance at the trip.

Worth allowing SHALABIYA another chance after her devastating debut victory at Ruakaka when demolishing her rivals with ease by five lengths. Returned there for the Gr.3 Northland Breeders (1200m) and fought well behind SHE'S NO SAINT so likely to be much wiser for the intial experience and has trialled in Open company since. The BRAZEN BEAU filly to sure to garner plenty of support and should be able to foot it with the best of these.

MAIL‍ ‍LATEST TRACKWORK‍ ‍ TRIAL STARS

To receive a complete set of tips for this meeting and further comprehensive analysis, please join our team for all the latest information - trackwork, trials, multi bets and best bets