ASHBURTON CUP

RACE 7 - 1600m

COGNITO / SIR ALBERT / BELLA LUCE

Group 2 winner COGNITO arrives here a much fitter horse after a couple of strong performances and potentially ready to tackle the mile coming back in trip. The SO YOU THINK gelding from the Te Akau stable won the Wellington Guineas (1400m) as a three-year-old and developed into a powerful miler, however the pedigree says he should be capable of handling further. Big finish to win over 1580m at Riccarton before doing the business over 1800m down there. The gelding is a fairly versatile type who often found a few better in the north, but looks well-suited competing in the South Island talent pool. Great bet. Get on early and reap the rewards.

☆☆☆☆☆

The Teri Rae SAVABEEL gelding SIR ALBERT challenged hard and just missed last start at Timaru and may have turned the corner after a mediocre year. Finished 2nd over 1300m here at Ashburton in December, and flew too late over 2000m at Riccarton in Jan, but after that achieved little in three runs. Brought back in August and did well behind RICHARD STOMPER over the mile a month ago, and has since won a 1200m trial.

☆☆☆

BELLA LUCE has produced some nice performances, but tends to win predominantly on the Riccarton course in Christchurch. Came south to Lance Robinson after some fair northern form, and finished 3rd here on a Heavy 8. Went on to win over the 1600m at Riccarton, wound up 2nd, then won again at the same trip in June. Victorious over 1800m on the same course in August, then pushed hard early after a slow beginning in the Winter OPEN, but couldn't go on with it. Fit enough, it's only whether the BELARDO mare can adapt to the track.

☆☆

BARNESWOOD FARM STAKES

RACE 8 - 1400m 3YO

BELLE DU MONDE / MISS STARLIGHT / MISS ZIGGY

As a two-year-old, BELLE DU MONDE finished 2nd in her first two starts at Ellerslie, then spelled following the Karaka Millions 2YO won by stable-mate LA DORADA. Ridden by Vinnie Colgan, Belle Du Monde resumed down south and tracked stablemate COOL AZA RENE over the sprint trip, was clear at the 200m, and unleashed with big strides to claim the victory. From a classy family of stakes' winners, Belle Du Monde seemed to struggle with 2nd up syndrome, when the ZOUSTAR filly suffered interference and became unbalanced at the 700m in the Canterbury Belle. Can bounce back here and win over this trip.

☆☆☆☆

The Parsons had MISS STARLIGHT on the right path early, with SWEYNESSE filly performing well in three trials before winning on the Riccarton Synthetic twice in her first two runs as a juvenile. Took on good company in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) last start, and had to he restrained early to avoid heels, then bumped at the 700m. Regardless, under the guidance of Tina.com, the filly picked up beautifully to hit the lead and hold them all off. The team have obviously developed her well as the three-year-old looked strong at the end so should be competitive once again.

☆☆☆

MISS ZIGGY displayed her class during a her two-year-old campaign as a potent Southern juvenile who could foot it with the best of them. Not everything went right for the green BRAZEN BEAU filly, who finished 2nd to COOL AZA RENE, before doing it tough in the north when overracing in strong company. Charged home late for 3rd behind LA DORADA in the 2YO Karaka Millions after being hampered leaving the barriers, before a 2nd placing at Ellerslie when crowded early. Game finish resuming at Riccarton, then suffered more interference in the Canterbury Belle before blowing them away at Riccarton last start. Clean run and very dangerous.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 2200m

COURT OF APPEAL / ESS VEE ARE / MOUSSAIEFF

COURT OF APPEAL started his career in the north for the Te Akau team and seemed competitive enough. The EMINENT mare won over 1800m at Taupo in February, then transferred south for the Autumn. Came out and won comfortably over the mile on the Riccarton Synthetic and should of trained on. No luck when flat-footed losing ground early on the Riccarton turf last start, so best to forgive. Jasmine Fawcett is holding a few rides for Te Akau on Saturday and the mare is drawn to play a prominent role.

☆☆☆☆

Andrew Cartson can land a winner here at Ashburton and ESS VEE ARE seems a decent chance in this field. The seven-year-old SHOCKING gelding was a strong stayer in the north, taking out a few, including the NZ St Leger (2600m) at Trentham in 2023. Won a Waikato Cup Prelude, then finished 4th in the Cup before finally transferring South to the Carston stable. Ran on at Timaru for 4th before racing three wide at Riccarton over 2000m last start. This trip seems ideal, and we trust he can get home safely this time in. Thrilled with these odds and can feature.

☆☆☆

MOUSSAIEFF is a good fresh up horse who ran a boomer resuming and can make an impact 3rd-up. The REDWOOD gelding may be a seven-year-old now, however he has only raced 14 times for 4 wins. Won over 2000m on a Good 3 in February, then held well on a Heavy 10 in March, so a super versatile type that loves to run them down. We can only presume Keiza Murphy had prepped the gelding well forward as he flourishes at this trip, so expect another strong run.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1200m

TIKKI / ILLICIT DREAMS / ADIKTIV PASSION

Under the guidance of Trainer Steven Prince, the PER INCANTO mare TIKKI has achieved a record of seven wins in sixteen starts, which is a fantastic strike rate. The mare, sired by THE BOLD ONE, secured a third-place finish in the Pegasus Stakes at Riccarton in late 2024, and subsequently achieved a win over 1200m at Gore in February. Drove best to win at Otago in March, before a brave run to take out a 1200m Open sprint at Riccarton. Good fresh up competitor and can grab some of this if the track isn't too bad.

☆☆☆☆

If he's nothing else, at least ILLICIT DREAMS is a super consistent sprinter who rarely finishes out of the money. Has been travelling between the Kenny Rae training bases at both Ruakaka and Christchurch and was pretty good down in the south last year. Won the Champagne Stakes in 2023, then 2nd in the Canterbury Belle. Won at Greymouth over 1100m, then came back to finish up with two 2nd and two third placings on the Whangarei track. One of those was a 3rd to CROCETTI and MASTER FAY in the Kerikeri Cup, so we know the VANCOUVER mare is pretty quick. Has the pace to be winning this.

☆☆☆

The GHIBELLINES mare ADIKTIV PASSION has been ultra consistent this year since winning over 1335m at Gore in February. Went on to finish 3rd in the White Robe Handicap at Southland and in the Beaumont Cup over 1500m at Otago. Nice run for 2nd in the Fillies & Mares event at Riverton on s Heavy 8, before weakening out on a Heavy 10 at Wingatui when last seen in June. Capable of running well fresh up for trainer Leda Beck if forward enough and could be one worth keeping in the back pocket.

RATING 75 BENCHMARK

RACE 9 - 1400m

KELLANZOR / GIRLS LIGHT UP / VIVACIOUS

Sam Wynne can get KELLANZOR across the line first here after a decent effort last start, getting home well for 4th over 1400m at Riccarton. Too good over 1150m at Gore in February, then got up over 1400m after coming wider on the turn at Canterbury. Bit keen in the next two before a spell, however the ALMANZOR mare is out of KELLY O'REILLY (O'Reilly), a fine racemare who won the Triton Plate at Tauranga and the Auckland and Waikato Breeders. Not fully tested at Timaru resuming, but now looks ready for a big run.

☆☆☆☆

The Walker/Bergerson trained Te Akau mare VIVACIOUS won here over 1400m a year ago and she has been close up in a number of contests since then. Won in May and June on the Riccarton Synthetic before a 3rd there in August when slow away. Unplaced in a 1000m trial two weeks ago, although this is a fair starting point for the DUNDEEL mare. The 2nd dam, ROYAL SASH (Royal Academy) was an impressive stakes performed Australian horse and based on the US pedigree, a firm track is more advantageous.

☆☆☆

If Terri Rae beings GIRLS LIGHT UP to Ashburton on Saturday, then she just has to be a genuine shot after racing so well for him up in the north. Ultra consistent in 2023/24, with multiple placings but few wins to speak off. Finished 2nd over 1400m at Te Aroha last Nov, then 3rd Wanganui and Ruakaka over the mile. Come back in May with teo 4th placings at Egmont and Te Rapa before bearing home a good one in ZANZIBAR with a big run at Rotorua. One trial down here for the SACRED FALLS mare, so keep an eye on this one.

☆☆

BEST BET: COGNITO

NEXT BEST: BELLE DU MONDE

BEST VALUE: KELLANZOR

WILDCARD: ESS VEE ARE