WAIKATO BREEDERS' MILE

RACE 7 - 1600m

ELLE SOURIT / BOURBON PROOF / NIGELLA LANE

ELLE SOURIT is a progressive type who has won her only two runs and has been handled carefully by the Forsman stable. Held up at Hawera over 1300m before offering up a big finish once our at the 300m. Made it two-in-a-row in April on a Heavy 10 Pukekohe track when rearing out of the gates before coming wider with another big finish. How good this OCEAN PARK mare could actually be is haed to say, but she obviously has a big motor under the hood which can get her out of any trouble. Came out on Champions Day to win the last at Ellerslie and we were very keen on her fresh up. Won 2/2 on the Heavy, so 2nd-up a mighty chance in the wet and can remain unbeaten.

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The Marsh trained BOURBON PROOF raced in some high class three-year-old company last season and performed admirably up against the very best. Finished 2nd to CHECKMATE in the ArmaCup, then won at Matamata. Ran 4th in the 3YO Karaka Millions to DAMASK ROSE, then 2nd to TUXEDO in the Waikato Guineas. Run down by the Australian raider THEDOCTOROFLOVE in the Avondale Guineas (2100m), but found the Gr.1 NZ Derby a tougher assignment. Trialed up well, then resumed with a fair run over 1400m at Te Rapa, with the Heavy 10 probably not to his liking. The JUSTIFY gelding ran away to win here and looks a major threat on a firm surface.

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The Ralph Manning trained NIGELLA LANE should be in peak condition arriving here, as the five-year-old mare offered up some strong performances last year among top Group company. Ran on in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa 2nd in the Manawatu Breeders Stakes, 3rd in the Kaimai Stakes and 3rd in the Wairarapa Breeders Stakes in Feb 2025. Last won over 1600m in the Thames Cup here at Te Aroha, although that was a fair while ago and raced three wide without cover last start at Trentham, so best to forgive. Nevertheless, the NIAGARA mare is at home in the wet and boasts a strong Soft/Heavy strikerate, so appears as a good bet, particularly on a Heavy track.

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OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1150m

HANKEE ALPHA / WHEN STARS ALIGN / SHOES

The Wexford team will present HANKEE ALPHA in fine condition after three runs back from a break and the recent 3rd and 2nd placings in strong fields at Ellerslie suggests the PROISIR mare is back as good as ever. Bolted in over 1200m at Te Aroha last October before weaving late from 10th to win there again over 1100m. Took on some high calibre three-year-olds in the Almanzor Trophy and Uncle Remus, and not bad running on late in the last effort at Te Rapa. Big issue could be a wet track as late scratched last Saturday and may not start if the track degrades. Has won here on a Heavy 8, unbeaten at Te Aroha, so see how it all unfolds as she can be brilliant.

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WHEN STARS ALIGN has been humming along nicely this campaign with two wins and two second placings from five starts for Te Akau. Strong winning at Tauranga fresh up before a narrow loss to BRITANNICA GOLD by a nose at Te Rapa. Defeated TRISTAR over 1200m returning to the Bay of Plenty followed by an on pace 5th back in Hamilton. Gave it some grunt at the latest, but couldn't match the powerful BASEL WARRIOR at New Plymouth. Will strip well fit, won't mind some give in the track surface and distance seems tailor made. If it's really wet, then potentially the superior selection.

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SHOES is a slick little sprinter who likes to scoot across the turf and try to break them early and possiblywas just going too hard in the early stages. Couldn't do that at Ellerslie last start though, weakening late after coming across from an awkward gate. Taken to Timaru by trainer Pam Gerard, but struck a Heavy 8 track at Riccarton which was completely unsuitable. Best to refer to her big effort for 2nd to SWEYNESDAY when only nabbed late by the classy sprinter. The five-year-old DERRYN mare may find it hard to win with her racing style, although worth following as a strong place chance.

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BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 2 - 2200m

ALTARI / CROWN PRINCESS / JUST CALL ME JONNY

The Walker/Bergerson trained SAVABEEL gelding ALTARI produced a strong finish in behind SHE'S A DEALER over 1600m at Te Rapa in April last year, then chased hard for 2nd to KITTY FLASH on that particular course over 12 months ago, but now really has to discover some consistency as a more mature four-year-old. Won really well over 1500m at Pukekohe in December, then not much went eight in the next two. Ok for 3rd to GIACOMO at Matamata over 2000m last start and a much better horse than recent formline suggests. Like to think he can handle a testing track but too deep could be a real problem.

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The Te Akau-trained CROWN PRINCESS has been sound and slowly improved from December to finish best over 1800m at Taupo after finishing runner-up there the run prior so could easily go on with it after another 2nd in the South Waikato Cup (2000m) last start. The daughter of EMBELLISH showed more than enough in her first prep for the Walker/Bergerson Te Akau team despite a light campaign which saw the mare bolt clear to win at Rotorua. Her dam PRINCESS DAVONE (Iffraaj) was pretty handy and she is related to the PHEROZ maternal line which offers plenty of robust toughness.

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JUST CALL ME JONNY was going extra good last Autumn, and was rarely out of the top three from November 2024. Won here over the mile before finishing 2nd to COURT OF APPEAL over 1800m at Taupo. Solid 2nd behind TRUCE travelling to Wellington and came back to score a game win at Tauranga in October, then a win over 2100m at Te Rapa in February. Wasn't terrible on a Heavy 8 at Tauranga last start and that was a rotten track for all of them with a shocking bias. The EMINENT gelding trained by the McKay's at Matamata should be holding a strong state of fitness and won't mind some rain about. Not a big field and hard to say how scratching will affect this meetings.

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BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1400m

LARIUS LACUS / PRIVY GARDEN / TRANSACTION

The Donna Logan trained TURN ME LOOSE mare LARIUS LACUS could be close to returning to her best and she does hold a fine record at Te Aroha which is relevant. Finished 2nd here over 1400m in November before defeating LOUGH ESKE over 1300m. Struggled in a strong Ellerslie field on New Year’s Day before running 3rd at Tauranga. Despite a previous unsuccessful outing at Ellerslie, her current conditions appears more favourable, with the extended straight of Te Aroha likely to provide ample opportunity for optimal performance and a big late charge at line.

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We haven't seen PRIVY GARDEN since November when defeating Wellington Cup victor MANZOR BLUE over 1600m at the Wairarapa, but the SO YOU THINK mare wasn't exactly on fire prior to that. Much better formline last Autumn when proving too good over 1650m at Waverley, then racked up two, at Rotorua on a Heavy 10 and New Plymouth over 2000m on a Soft 7. Finished 3rd resuming at Te Rapa on a testing track, and a 4th in the Gr.3 Metric Mile in September. Given Andrew Forsman's thorough preparation, including two strong trials and a recent victory over 1100m at Ellerslie, she is anticipated to perform exceptionally well in her initial outing.

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The Kylie Hoskin trained TRANSACTION could be well suited here if the rain comes as OCEAN PARK mare has looked good in both preparations if you discount the two disappointing runs last Autumn. Won on Heavy 8 here at Te Aroha in 2024 and was around the mark resuming in Oct 2025. Came wide with a game finish to win over 1400m at Matamata in December, before a solid 4th at Ellerslie over the mile. Two month break, then came our on Champions Day to finish 2nd to ELLE SOURIT in the Pearl Series Final (1400m) and pushed wider the final 100m. 2kg Sam McNab claim will help if its really wet.

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THREE-YEAR-OLD SW&P

RACE 3 - 1400m

OUR LURRINA / ARWEN / QUEEN'S EVIDENCE

OUR LURRINA is an interesting filly by the exceptional sire WOOTTON BASSETT from an Australian bred mare in FAINT PERFUME (Sharmadal). The dam was a high class racemare who won the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes, Gr.1 Crown Oaks, Gr.2 Kewney and Gr.2 Wakeful. Also finished 2nd in the AJC Oaks and Thousand Guineas, so if even a smidgen rubs off then she could be very handy young galloper. One run for a 5th in May, before resuming with a victory over 1200m at Matamata followed by a 2nd there behind BOLLI BELLE up to the 1400m. Bit tougher up to the mile, so comes back in distance which seems a better fit. Versatile type and wet track not an issue.

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By the German sire ANCIENT SPIRIT, the James/Wellwood trained ARWEN is out of the well performed NZ bred mare, COULEE, who won a White Robe and Breeders Stakes in the South Island for the Andertons and who bred this filly. The three-year-old demonstrated promising talent, securing victories in both trials before achieving a debut win over 1150m at Te Aroha, despite racing three wide without cover throughout the event. Given the pedigree including GALLANT GURU, it is highly probable that she will perform well on a wet track, and with a more favourable run during the race, she presents as a major threat.

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As a two-year-old last season, the Te Akau trained filly QUEEN’S EVIDENCE won comfortably on debut before finishing fourth in the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m) and second in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m). She dashed through for third following an economical trip when resuming in the Gr.3 Gold Trail (1200m), and fought well after a tough trip in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1400m). The KING'S LEGACY filly, out of a HIGH CHAPPARAL mare was purchased for $220,000 by David Ellis. Has the early speed to sit up handy and her gallop between races at Taupo was also quite impressive. Developed well with patience down south over the last 12 months and sure to be prominent.

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BEST BET: ELLE SOURIT

NEXT BEST: HANKEE ALPHA

BEST VALUE: OUR LURRINA

WILDCARD: LARIUS LACUS