OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 1400m

SUPER PHOTON / IMPREVU / DRAMATIC MISS

Just a touch more good fortune and a settled brain could be the successful formula for SUPER PHOTON, who overraced a bit at Te Rapa but did well finishing 2L off VEGAS QUEEN over the 1200m. Not the easiest to catch as an unpredictable type, but defeated FIRST FIVE this time last year and burst thru after shifting across heels to win over 1500m at Tauranga in January. This distance could be a good fit if saved for one late charge at the line and we won't be discounting the SUPER SETH gelding this time up after some top trackwork Tuesday.

☆☆☆☆

The Jannene Dally trained IMPREVU doesn't look too badly placed here, although the WROTE mare had been desperately unlucky thr last two and deserves some better luck. Finished 2nd with brave effort to MOSCHINO in the HKJC Stakes on Karaka night but only battled there back to the 1200m in the next. Hampered after sharing the pace and chucked it in running last in the Dubai Classic before having caslick surgery and a nice trial. Clipped heels and almost fell near the 1300m in the Rotorua Stakes last start, so a change in fortune is overdue.

☆☆☆

DRAMATIC MISS has only one win to her name, however the EL ROCA mare has come across as a talented horse with loads of potential. Trained by Stephen Marsh at Cambridge, the 4yo mare finished 2nd at Taupo and Te Aroha last October before resuming this year with a win over 1200m at Waverley. Returned there in March and produced a big finish to run 2nd, then fought well when 3rd in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas, bumped late and losing a plate in the process. Came up with another 3rd behind PENMAN over 1500m at Ellerslie and did well when 3rd on a Heavy 10 in only her second run back. Fast in trackwork on Tues and a big player on the firm.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1200m

SCOLERA / TESTWIN / PRUDENTIA

SCOLERA blasted them off the track in a fine trial and has been held back waiting for the right conditions. The SWISS ACE mare was very impressive winning a trial over 1150m at Tauherenikau 28/4 and will turn up at Ellerslie May 16 ready to run a big race. A high-class sprinter, she handles all conditions and finished 2nd to DROPS OF GOD at Ellerslie by ¾ length on New Years Day after losing a front plate and stood on the toe clip. A top Sam Collett ride is the key here.

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This gelding TESTWIN does have some quality about him and we can't see why he won't measure up here, especially after some fine trackwork recently. Won in the wet over 1200m at Taupo and Otaki last spring before running 3rd to SMART LOVE at Rotorua. One smooth teual to prepare, however the Lowry/Zydenbos team have not rushed this lightly raced TIME TEST gelding and it seems to be producing results now. Inside gate and looks well-placed sitting at fine odds.

☆☆☆

PRUDENTIA has been rolling along nicely for Wexford and is weighted to be right in this contest from the draw. Won here with a big finish over 1300m on a HEAVY9 before fighting on from midfield for 3rd up to 1400m on the course. Seems to go best in the wet, however Masa will have an opportunity to set up the PROISIR mare with a soft run in transit before opening her up. Handles the track, then a few factors in her favour.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 2200m

BRADLEY / MORNING COCOA / SWEET BUT PSYCHO

The BELARDO gelding BRADLEY was game winning over 1600m at Trentham, then disappointed in a strong northern field at Ellerslie. The performance at Matamata in October was exceptional, followed by a second-place finish to KNICKERLESS at Wellington in December, although finds it hard achieving consistent results. We know the ability is there with this gelding and he only has to find a clear path through, held up for one charge at the line. This looks obtainable and fit enough to mount a firm challenge.

☆☆☆☆

A progressive VADAMOS mare, MORNING COCOA was a little disappointing running fourth at Rotorua last start but should appreciate more stable footing and she does have supreme fitness on her side. Won over 1400m at Tauranga in March before challenging gamely when 3nd to SUPER FLY over 1600m at Ellerslie in April. The Forsman-trained four-year-old should be well-primed to go big and shouldn't be taken lightly.

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The Wexford team squeezed a much better effort out of SWEET BUT PSYCHO when running home well for 2nd despite interference over the 1500m at Te Rapa. Stood little chance in the Dunstan Final, then ran on late resuming for 4th over the mile. The PROISIR mare was running tidy races late last year when victorious in two fine staying efforts over 2200m at Te Aroha, then 2100m at Ruakaka. Seems best suited when able to settle into a comfortable position midfield, before building up steam with a sustained finish.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1600m

TO THE MAX / ANDIAMO / LYIN' EYES

After a solid piece of trackwork on Tuesday, this nice PER INCANTO gelding TO THE MAX looks ready to fire on Saturday attacking the mile for the first time. Trialed up well for the James/Wellwood team before a 4th on debut, then settled back at Rotorua before finishing off strongly to win. Too far off them in the Eagle Memorial but did well for 5th before four wide without cover and hampered coming back to 1200m at Ellerslie. Began awkwardly last start losing ground, although all five runs have held some merit. Looks the one up in trip.

☆☆☆☆☆

Stephen Marsh did well to get his VADAMOS mare ANDIAMO off to a flying start as a four-year-old, bursting through the pack to win well kicking off her second prep over 1400m at Matamata - and it was a strong effort. Far from awful in three runs at the start of 2026, finishing 2nd on debut behind OCEANA DREAM and 4th battling on over the mile at Ellerslie. The wise head of Marsh backed off on the mare and she now appears much wiser to this gig after some nice trial work prior to the win. Can go on with it.

☆☆☆

We've stuck with LYIN' EYES, because we'd hate to not be on her if she can turn it around. Kept a close eye on the Chris Wood-trained LYIN EYES, especially since this SHOCKING mare has been running so positively in fairly strong company from November. Broke her maiden at Ellerslie over 1300m, followed by a fighting effort for 5th over the same trip at Te Rapa. Lost ground, but fought on for 3rd behind KHALEESI and GOLDEN WINGS coming back to Auckland, and a reasonable 5th placing at Matamata has the mare well positioned to offer up a top effort here. Just can't seem to turn a trick with bad draws

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 1200m

PUROSANGUE / KIA KAHA / ATLANTA GOLD

The 3YO PER INCANTO gelding PUROSANGUE from the Wexford stable has shown enough in three starts to believe he will be a big threat here. Raced keenly on debut and held up early in the straight on a challenging Te Aroha track before a tidy 2nd at Matamata after sharing the pace early and fought on well. Slow then wide without cover throughout over 1215m at Rotorua and finished best to break his maiden. Draw not ideal but the claim is a positive.

☆☆☆☆

KIA KAHA has trialled up well enough at Taupo to suggest a decent fresh up effort is on the cards and the SUPER SETH gelding was far from terrible last prep but is prone to being a bit overzealous in the running. Won at Matamata last autumn then came back to finish 2nd to MAGICE over 1200m at Pukekohe in Nov. Finished a keen 2nd at Rotorua before a 3rd Taupo serting the pace and 2nd at Te Rapa in January over 1400m. Well suited to 1200m first up if able to settle early and hopefully Marsh has him in a good head space for this.

☆☆☆

ATLANTA GOLD is an interesting character who looked quite good in the spring, finishing 3rd to PULSATILLA at Avondale on debut before defeating HIGH EMOTION over 1200m on a Heavy Pukekohe course. Raced wide without cover throughout at Ellerslie and did well to hold 4th to RISE COMPANIONS up to 1300m, then lost all confidence and went off the boil, eventually going out for a spell. Ran on resuming at Te Rapa then set the pace at Ellerslie a fortnight ago and weakened out.

☆☆

THREE-YEAR-OLD SW&P

RACE 3 - 1100m

GENERAL MENARI / LUBECK / RUBY RUSH

No surprise to see GENERAL MENARI garner strong support after running so consistently of late including a nice last start win. Favourable track conditions will help, but we know the O'Sullivan/Scott team have a high opinion of this three-year-old MENARI gelding. Won two from three trials before game on debut when winning at Taupo over 1100m in October and he looked very sharp in doing so. This doesn't look as easy.

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The Marsh-trained filly LUBECK was disappointing resuming but did much better running 4th to KING’S ENGLISH at Ellerslie and showed a bit of fight. Ironically, her next best result this year was a 3rd to the same horse over 1200m in Auckland and the HANSEATIC filly did defeat PANTHER on debut then finished 2nd to WAR PRINCESS at Tauranga, so has taken on some good horses. Has the ability 3rd-up to be winning.

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The Wexford runner RUBY RUSH was impressive winning at Taupo on a Good track and trailed the pace before producing a big finish to claim victory over 1400m on a Heavy track at Tauranga last start over 1400m. This does look a bit harder coming back in trip, but the RIBCHESTER filly has looked far better getting up on the pace and Craig Grylls will probably try to put her into the race early. Much improved filly.

☆☆

BEST BET: TO THE MAX

NEXT BEST: SUPER PHOTON

BEST VALUE: TESTWIN

LONGSHOT: LYIN’ EYES