THAMES GOLD CUP

RACE 7 - 1600m

ZANTABULOUS / JUNGLE LOVE / SORGHAGHTANI

The Te Akau-trained ZANTABULOUS appears very well placed here by the team and she does seem at home on a wet track. Resumed with a 3rd at Tauranga in November, before struggling to go with them on a Good 4 at Pukekohe stepping up to the 1400m. Headed wider when finishing off well for 3rd to stablemate EL VIENTO over the mile at Matamata last start, and that was a much better effort in a fairly decent BM75 field. Obviously hasn't been the easiest horse for the Walker/Bergerson team to manage, but the ALMANZOR mare is very genuine and can feature here with a similar effort.

☆☆☆☆

Be wise to not leave out the lightly tried ACE HIGH galloper JUNGLE LOVE, who is two for two to start her career and probably won't mind some moisture about. Trained by Peter Lock here on the course, she is an ACE HIGH mare out of a pretty decent staying mare in LOVELIGHT (Zabeel), and her mother JUNGLE ROCKET won the 2009 Gr.1 NZ Oaks (2400m) before a stint in Australia. These are some sturdy bloodlines, so if she handles the track, then expect this mare to finish off this contest boldly as she attempts to make up for lost time.

☆☆☆

SORGHAGHTANI may not get much of a mention here, although we give this MONGOLIAN KHAN mare from the Richardson/ Novall stable a serious chance of taking this out. Fought well when 2nd over 1500m at Ellerslie early last year, then ran 3rd to THE PROPHET over the mile at Te Rapa in April. A long spell followed before resuming with a top effort to finish 3rd to SHE'S A DEALER and THOOZA at Te Rapa over 1500m on a Good 3. Looks back in fine condition and this horse does possess strong wet track stats. Definitely the upset horse and far from out of this.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1150m

GENERAL MENARI

If team Wexford saddle up GENERAL MENARI here on a Heavy track it might come as a bit of a shock after scratching numerous times searching for the right set up. The galloper was scratched from Rotorua and Taupo last weekend in favour of this contest and he looks a serious player - if a starter. They could have nominated for Ellerslie on the 1st, but thought better of it to avoid DROPS OF GOD. 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. Held back since then, with a sole barrier trial early December to prepare. Just wins.

☆☆☆☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1600m

ACCENSION / FASTDEELDUN / BARCELONA

The Sam Logan trained ALMANZOR mare ACCENSION can't do much more except come out and win this, and it will help to have the experience of Rory Hutchings in the saddle. Won't mind a Heavy track after finishing 3rd over 1200m on a Heavy 10 at Te Rapa in May before winning at Ruakaka in a wet track stepping up to the mile. Slow and wide resuming in November, then 3rd when running on hard behind RAMBLIN ON back at Te Rapa last start and will be in mint condition arriving here.

☆☆☆☆

The way in which Stephen Marsh is flying at the moment, you couldn't look past FASTDEELDUN who has won in the Heavy and at the mile. Kicked and too good claiming victory at Matamata in June, then resumed with a very tidy 3rd over 1400m at Rotorua at the beginning of December. Under a ride up to the mile running at Te Rapa, although sure to strip much fitter and getting his toe in may be the key to success. 3kg claim with Sam McNab in the saddle an additional boost, so worth including.

☆☆☆

We have trying to work out this BELARDO mare BARCELONA from the Margaret Falconer stable, and the only thing that works in his favour will be a deep track coupled with suitable fitness levels to plow through this track. Hadn't won for a while until amping it up to late over 1600m at Avondale in November, then battled away in the next two competing in fairly strong BM65 staying fields. Did run 2nd on a Heavy 10 Rotorua deck in July, therefore just that unpredictable a place doesn't look impossible. Will carry 53.5kg, so could in fact run into the money at huge odds.

☆☆

MAIDEN TWO-YEAR-OLD

RACE 2 - 1000m

IMPERIAL ROSE / COOL IN COMMAND

Few two-year-olds apart from this one start here with the Karaka Millions in mind, but still with an opportunity to put their hoof up. Stephen Marsh has the MyRacehorse syndicated IMPERIAL ROSE on debut and she is a beautifully bred daughter of the first crop of SWORD OF STATE. Finished 2nd to the Wexford horse O'VALERIE by half a length in her only 800m jumpout at Avondale, but it was merely educational and likely to have learned plenty from the experience. This filly’s dam SIENNA ROSE won five races in Australia, including one as a juvenile, and is a half-sister to stakes winning two-year-old EBHAAR, so much to like regarding the pedigree.

☆☆☆☆

COOL IN COMMAND is expected to be a short-priced favorite in this event for Te Akau, who are likely considering the horse's three-year-old season for future prospects. Rory Hutchings had stayed up north to ride for the team, with Opie down in Wellington, and you couldn't ask for a better substitute. The COOL AZA BEEL gelding out of the dam MOUNTFORD and David Ellis paid a slim $50,000 for the gelding at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Could be another future star but also doubtful on a very testing track.

☆☆☆

BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP

RACE 1 - 1400m

MILLIE GRAZIE / GOLD CARD / SMALL TOWN GAL

The SUPER SETH mare MILLIE GRAZIE will gain the services of G1 Zabeel winning jockey Rory Hutchings, and looks a strong chance for Sam Logan in the first. Only one win back on debut in February 2025 at Taupo over 1200m, although she hasn't been far off them in a number of contests and the last two have offered more promise. Finished 4th here at Te Aroha after racing three-wide without cover, then another fighting 4th at Matamata which was solid. Might not get a better chance.

☆☆☆☆

GOLD CARD is another who hasn't scored a win since early last year, but the four-year-old RAGEESE gelding seems to handle the Heavy tracks ok and that may be the key to his chances. Hasn't had too much go his way off late, and often does a few things wrong, but if the French lad can land him in a nice spot out of the gates, we could see a better effort. Not a heap of confidence that makes you want to follow him in, but these odds give us hope a place is a possibility with the right run.

☆☆☆

Ralph Manning's mare, SMALL TOWN GAL does have wet track form that puts her firmly in the contest, despite the fact you couldn't find a worse group of battlers running around in New Zealand this weekend. The TIME TEST mare is fresh up, which is s concern, although she did win at Waverley on a Heavy 9 in July and has been far from terrible in a number of limited starts. Too heavy and most, including this one will struggle, but if prepped well forward then a strong run is not out of the question.

☆☆

BEST BET: GENERAL MENARI

NEXT BEST: ZANTABULOUS

BEST VALUE: SORGHAGHTANI

WILDCARD: BARCELONA