TAURANGA CLASSIC WFA (L)

RACE 6 - 1400m F&M

PLATINUM DIAMOND / CHURCHILLIAN / ASTORIA BROOKE

The Lisa Latta-trained PLATINUM DIAMOND should lap up these conditions at Tauranga, with 4 wins from 5 on testing tracks proving her nous in the wet. A three-year-old HELLO YOUMZAIN filly, she was in stunning form last year winning four in a row, including the Castletown and Ryder stakes as well as the Wanganui Guineas. Finished a into 2nd behind CHURCHILLIAN in the Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) and she comes back in trip. Suited by WFA conditions down at 55kg and from this gate Matt Cameron should be able to press forward and dictate the early running.

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This race could be tailor-made for the Wexford-trained CHURCHILLIAN if he can jump out and gain the lead early without too much difficulty on a challenging, deep track. The CHURCHILL mare returned to her very best when setting the pace in the Rotorua Stakes (1400m) and in the end she was just too strong. Also set the pace in the Training Stakes (1600m) at Wanganui, fighting on for 5th, but back in trip against her own sex suits better. Hard fit and may prove tough to get past.

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ASTORIA BROOKE has looked very good at times and came up nicely last prep, with the two recent runs in Auckland against strong company sound. Big, late finish to win at Tauranga in Dec, then ran on well in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie. The AMERICAN PHAROAH gelding trained by Tony Pike did nothing first up, but was sound running on for 4th over 1400m at Ellerslie when hampered leaving the barriers. Unbeaten on the Heavy and will relish getting his toe into this surface. Fitness wise, looks ready to strike 4th up.

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BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 1400m

LOCH KATRINE / PRUDENTIA / TRANSITION

The Daniel Miller runner LOCH KATRINE cruised up with a big finish to win over 1560m at Rotorua in May, then returned a month later with an average effort at Te Aroha on a Heavy 10. The five-year-old ARDROSSAN mare does prefer the deep stuff though and with that last run out of the way we could see a much stronger effort. No surprise to see a strong effort with McNab in the saddle and this distance with fell more like 1800m on their legs so she should be in good enough shape to feature.

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PRUDENTIA is duel nominated and this PROISIR mare does enjoy plenty of moisture in the track. The Wexford mare won 2nd-up over 1400m on a Heavy Te Rapa track, then 3rd there in May on a Good 4 surface. Ran on last start over 1200m, so the step up should be ifeal with a month between runs. The difficulty with this (1) gate is her racing style and getting bogged down on the inside could be determental to her chances in trapped too far back. Will need a clever Masa ride, but we'll weighted.

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The OCEAN PARK mare TRANSACTION looks way over the odds in our opinion and trainer Kylie Hoskin could have her well prepped after a couple of solid runs leading in. Ran on for 2nd behind the impressive BONNARD over 1600m at Te Rapa, followed by a last start 4th on a bottomless Heavy 10 Te Aroha track. Gets the 2kg off which will help and the wider gate may be a serious bonus if coming wider later in the day is working. The $14.00 could be a top score, so include in everything.

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BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 2100m

TENFOOT TALL / DANCE FOR HER / WHATTHEMANSAW

The Prendergast trained TENFOOT TALL only has nine runs behind her, although being up STAPAHNOS with solid Heavy form, she could be about to strike. Quite potent this time last winter, winning over the mile on a Heavy 9 at Matamata and flew late to claim another at Te Rapa in August. Only two runs back, with the last start 5th making ground at Matamata a much better effort. The big question is the distance and hopefully she can see it out running on late.

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Not the most stunning field of stayers, but it is winter racing and if DANCE FOR HER can manage these conditions, then the mare looks a royal chance. The seven-year-old TESTA ROSSA mare produced a big finish to win over 1600m at Otaki last start and it was a nice effort coming wider from midfield. The former Aus galloper now with Tony Cole is no staying star, but she is in good nick and only needs to wind up hard to get into thr placings.

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WHATTHEMANSAW is curently in fine touch as a strong winter stayer, winning a Highweight over 1950m at Rotorua in April, then again there at 2200m finishing off best in a Heavy 9. Second last early, but challenged gamely from the back over 2200m at Te Aroha on a testing track last start and there should be no doubt over the ALMANZOR geldings strength and stamina. Can probably win again but too far back here could make it far more difficult.

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BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 2 - 1200m

QUONDO / ORATIA BEAUTY / REPTAK

QUONDO was strong winning at Matamata only two weeks ago and Andrew Forsman is looking to take advantage of a quality horse in peak physical shape. Bonus may be getting on this track early in the meeting which should allow the WOOTTON BASSETT gelding the opportunity to sit just off the lead before George Rooke opens him up again.

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We’ve been trying to catch the TOO DARN HOT filly ORATIA BEAUTY from the Kylie Hoskin barn and the last start 3rd behind ARWEN at Te Rapa was quite genuine despite the winner braining that field, although she did fight on gamely. Ran in the highest class of three-year-old over the simmer and ran on behind the talented KING’S ENGLISH at Te Rapa in May. Kylie hasn’t put the horse under too much pressure lately, so if she handles this track, then right in it at fair odds.

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REPTAK from the Wexford yard seems to love the wet and with the 4kg Wigram claim has to be in the frame. Only one run back running 7th after settling forward, challenged at the 200m before weakening. Hasn’t raced much since winning twice up at Ruakaka over 1100m last July, but the last time the SHOCKING erformed well on a really heavy track was a 2nd to LUX LIBERTAS over 1200m at te rapa in July 2024. Still, 2nd-up needs to be considered.

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BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 2100m

MUSCAVADO / MO CHARAID / ALASKAN

MUSCAVODO won for us last winter at $42 and you never know when John Bell is going to get this stayer bang on, but the deeper the better and this gelding does possess that late power in the wet and can pick up significantly while others are weakening. They've gone for the full 4kg off with young Tom Wigram in the saddle and that's shows some real intent considering the last start 4th running on at Te Aroha is good indicator he is very fit and us for this. Tidy odds.

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MO CHARAID is a fine wet-weather galloper but has been badly out of touch recently and it looks about time to turn it all around, although this is the first crack at a serious staying test. The ARDROSSAN gelding hung tough to win over 1400m at Pukekohe in April on a Heavy 10, the defeated SWEETAZME over 1200m with a big finish at Te Rapa, also in a Heavy track. Outclased the last few, although this appears much easier if able to see out the trip.

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If it comes down to a grind in the BM65 staying event, then ALASKAN is just the type to keep punching away with the last two runs unlucky adventures. The NIAGARA mare trained by Ross McCarroll ran on late for 2nd at New Plymouth over 1800m in May and it was a tidy effort. Urged and battled on for 5th in a much stronger field at Ellerslie last start at 2100m and the trick will be how she handles a seriously testing Tauranga surface. Gets 2kg off here with Taplin aboard and the big threat we believe.

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BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 3 - 1200m

TONIA'S DRAGON / PUROSANGUE / JELLY ROLL

Trainer Pam Gerard's mare, TONIA'S DRAGON, appears to be in peak physical condition, as evidenced by her impressive trackwork performance on Tuesday. Settled on pace to win easily at Matamata in January, then resuming with a game run for 2nd over 1200m on a Heavy 8 Avondale track. Really, at these odds with the 3kg off, we think it would be silly to not consider her as a major player.

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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 well. Slow then wide without cover throughout over 1215m at Rotorua and finished best to break his maiden.

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JELLY ROLL powered up to win impressively on that testing Heavy 10 Te Aroha track last for Sam Logan and with a three week break between runs could repeat. The SWISS ACE gelding is a dead set mudder who thrives best when conditions are at there worst and he will get a testing track here that for sure. That win was a brave effort and Nabba won't like getting his wings wet so will likely press forward early. Can do it again in what will be a tough meeting for punters.

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BEST BET: QUONDO

NEXT BEST: PLATINUM DIAMOND

BEST VALUE: LOCH KATRINE

LONGSHOT: TONIA'S DRAGON