BARNESWOOD FARM STAKES

RACE 8 - 1400m 3YO

SWEETEST THING / OUTBACK GIRL / ZAFAR

The Te Akau-trained HELLO YOUMZAIN filly SWEETEST THING was doing good things with four runs in the north as a two-year-old and faced some pretty decent talent, runner-up three times, including a 2nd to SEIZE THE DAY in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires' Produce. Following her victory in the Canterbury Belle in mid-September, it is evident that the Walker/Bergerson team is exercising a methodical approach to conditioning this promising three-year-old and she looks the hardest to beat here even from the wide draw.

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If you look at way in which OUTBACK GIRL destroyed them two back here at Riccarton, these big odds make no sense at all. The BIVOUAC filly formerly trained by Sam Wynne ran some tidy races down south as a two-year-old but typically would go out a bit hard and weaken late in the piece. Now with Steph Faulkner, she failed to see out the 1200m in the Canterbury Belle but really just needs to hold something in reserve over the 1400m. Never had the same jockey twice, with Leah Hemi now taking over.

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The other Te Akau runner ZAFAR finished 2nd to DULCE CABELLO last start, and the SNITZEL colt did fight hard once hitting the lead in the straight. Won the Champagne Stakes down here in his only two-year-old run which followed some very tidy trials in the north, so he is definitely no slouch and should be suited to the extra 200m if Jim Chung can settle him into a safe spot early. Little bit of the unknown with this one, but the ability is there and bred to be good.

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ASHBURTON CUP

RACE 7 - 1600m

SIR ALBERT / SUPER ROSA / COGNOSCENTI

The Terri Rae-trained SIR ALBERT holds a firm 2nd-up record, and the mile is his best distance, winning his only run here over the trip on the Raceway. The seven-year-old SAVABEEL gelding fired up to win the Ashburton Cup.a year ago, then went on to claim the Spring Classic (2000m) at Riccarton and finish 2nd to MYSTIC PARK in the Gr.3 TAB Mile during Cup week. A bit in-and-out this year, although potentially up to winning this at tidy odds.

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SUPER ROSA may in fact appreciate more give in this track after racing so well winning two up at Ruakaka over 1600m and 2100m before finishing 5th on a Good 4 at Riccarton last start. The SUPER SETH mare trained by Kenny Rae has been up a fair while but is well weighted and with a soft run in transit has the ability to sprint up to them quickly. Tough one to win, although these odds appear a bit far-fetched for an in-form horse who may be suited to this course.

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COGNOSCENTI is just the type to rock up here and blow them all away with a dynamic performance and being Te Akau trained you wouldn't put it past him. The five-year-old CASTELVECCHIO gelding last won over 2000m at Riccarton in April and only resumed in September with a 2nd to O'RIORDAN over the mile at Timaru. Battled a bit returning to the course last start, but fitter now and up for this.

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OPEN HANDICAP

RACE - 1200m

IRON HAWK / CHARMROSE / TROBRIAND

The former Aussie galloper IRON HAWK resumed where he left off with a brilliant fresh up win over 1200m at Riccarton and his first four runs in New Zealand on the Christchurch course delivered two fine wins and two second placings, including a game run behind INFLAMED in the Easter Stakes over 1400m jumping from a wide gate. Facing some sharp horses here so a serious test but 2nd-up can finish over the top of them.

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If CHARMROSE hadn't drawn so wide in this we would have been all over the mare however, she is a quality Te Akau-trained sprinter who impressed winning over 1200m at Ellerslie in May and controlled the race from the jump. With Hassman aboard we expect her to try and be on the pace early after getting across into a winning position. Not sure this is the most ideal set up but broke her maiden down south and the 4th last start at Te Rapa was in strong northern company.

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We tried to grab TROBRIAND early in his prep and the KERMEDEC gelding ran on well for third on both occasions at Riccarton. Finished 2nd in the Stewards down here last November, then won over 1200m at Wingatui in January. Game run for 3rd here over 1200m in April, so a highly competitive sprinter in the south and 3rd-up going up in distance has him well-positioned to feature. Even field, although in this up to his neck.

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