TAUMARANUI GOLD CUP

RACE 7 - 2200m

CHEVAL DE FOUDRE / GOLD CURRENCY/ ROSETOWN PRINCESS

Mark Oulaghan has a highly consistent mare in CHEVAL DE FOUDRE who knows how to handle wet tracks and has been TOP3 placed in all five runs this prep. Solid at the mile when 2nd to BONNARD at Waipuk and METAVERSE at New Plymouth and fought hard up against MCKHAN at Wanganui before a 3rd at Hawera. Probably couldn't be any fitter to face this challenge and will prove hard to beat once rolling along from the turn.

☆☆☆☆

GOLD CURRENCY has really let us down the last couple since winning with some class over 2040m at Wanganui and although TARZINO gelding was trapped three wide and disappointed at Te Rapa, he really did a few things wrong overracing returning there at the mile and a half last start, so stepping back in trip seems the right tactic. Drops in weight and willing to back ALC to deliver a top ride.

☆☆☆

We're really hanging tough with old mate ROSETOWN PRINCESS although the 2nd behind ATYEEM at New Plymouth over 1800m last week was a bold effort and off a strong pace this track should suit even better. The REDWOOD mare was wide throughout making good ground and we still consider the big run at Ellerslie in May a good mark of her true ability. Sure to get back but can mow them down winding up hard down the middle of the park as weighted to be in it

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 6- 1300m

TRISTAR / GRAND GALLO / LITTLE BIT OF LOVE

TRISTAR was badly held up at the 300m in the Tauranga Classic and did well to finish so close after CHURCHILLIAN had bolted away. Despite a slow start, the mare delivered an impressive performance, coming from the rear to win at Te Rapa over 1200m. Therefore, a return to the more expansive track, which the horse favours, is expected to be more suitable.

☆☆☆☆

We thought the O'Sullivan/Scott team may have pulled up stumps on GRAND GALLO this season but mare has just been running so well and got across the line at Te Aroha on a Heavy 10 before finishing well back in the Tauranga Classic at the latest. Maybe it just seems she's been up a long time which isn't the case, but a Wexford Trifecta looks on, just in what order

☆☆☆

The other Wexford runner we fancy LITTLE BIT OF LOVE has confirmed his fitness with a nice hitout in work on Tuesday and the TIME TEST gelding will likely lap up conditions. Won at Te Rapa on a Heavy 9 in April, then close up in the next three runs on the course with solid finishes. Held up here last start back to 1200m but the 1300m seems a good fit for a sprinter in fine form.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1600m

WHISTLER / FEINT TO EAST / ANOTHER FLOOZIE

The three-year-old PROISIR gelding WHISTLER was pretty sound last start hanging tough for 4th over the mile at Te Rapa and should strip much fitter for the run. Put in fresh up to win over 1200m at Counties, then back and wide in Auckland before finishing on fairly. Third shot at the 1600m and we are awaiting a big effort for the lightly raced Wexford gelding which could be coming.

☆☆☆☆

FEINT TO EAST is only four runs into into career and the CIRCUS MAXIMUS filly loomed strong to win over 1400m at Woodville just on a month ago. Her mother NORTH AND SOUTH was a classy mare and her daughter was blocked for a run at Te Aroha and we can't hold that against her. Like the step up in trip and we probably haven't seen the best of this Forsman filly. Massive upside with serious ability so worth pursuing.

☆☆☆

We should anticipate a more favourable performance from ANOTHER FLOOZIE, considering her fresh up slow start and the abrasions sustained to her heel during her last race at Te Rapa, which warrants an easy forgive. Won in the Soft at Rotorua with a strong effort over 1560m before repeating the dose over the mile on this course. Packs a punch when right with three weeks to get over that last run.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 1600m

PEGASUS / LOTUS / SKATTEBO

PEGASUS won at Te Rapa over 1600m on a Heavy 9 last September, then went off the boil losing all form. No room at Pukekohe resuming, then doing his best work late at Ellerslie in May. Nailed it at Matamata getting back to his best and this EMINENT gelding is pretty decent when right. Darrell Lang has sparingly spaced the racing of this lad and with 6 weeks between runs he should be well-primed as a talented type who gets Grylls on..

☆☆☆☆

LOTUS can't do much more then win but the TIME TEST mare shifted out at the 100m after freaking at the whip which may have cost her the race at Te Rapa. Tried hard for 3rd in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) coming from second last to feature and if that horse turns up here then look out. The Richardson/Norvall mare is owned by cricket great Brendon McCullum so she's due a big knock.

☆☆☆

SKATTEBO comes north for Janelle Miller and this three-year-old NADEEM gelding has been fairly impressive winning three from four this preparation. Too strong over 1360m at Wanganui before setting the pace and fighting gamely up to the mile at New Plymouth. Same deal at Waverley last start and he does come across as a quality horse who wouldn't be up here if he couldn't foot it. The Tom Wigram 4kg claim a boost.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 2 - 1200m

SIR FERGUS / STARLIT EXPRESS / OBERON

The ARDROSSAN mare SIR FERGUS only has 7 runs to his name and has been carefully handled by trainer Barbara Kennedy. Won at Ellerslie way back in May of 2025, then only fair in the spring. Resumed with a 3rd at Tauranga running on late and struggled to find clear racing room at Te Aroha. Only needs a clean run home to get amongst it late and possibly ready to fire.

☆☆☆☆

Willing to allow STARLIT EXPRESS another chance after a plain fresh up run but probably needed the blowout and this SHAMEXPRESS filly goes better with runs behind her. Set the pace and game breaking her maiden at Pukekohe in January, then 3rd here over 1400m. Afforded a reasonable spell, and in a tricky race presents some fair value 2nd-up with Masa aboard.

☆☆☆

OBERON was sound resuming for 3rd at Hastings but just burst his boiler in the next two at Te Rapa. Not sure the heavy track really is his go having won his only race in a Good 3 at Te Aroha, but this boy is by BELARDO and should relish some give in the surface. Ran home with a very tidy 600m on Tuesday which suggests to us Marsh is working him into form.

☆☆

BEST BET: SWISS PRINCE

NEXT BEST: TRISTAR

BEST VALUE: WHISTLER

LONGSHOT: ROSETOWN PRINCESS