KIWIFRUIT CUP

RACE 5 - 2100m

GRACE N GLORY / QUICK FIRE / KING KHAN

The SHAMEXPRESS mare GRACE 'N' GLORY doesn't exactly inspire much confidence, although she is a good Heavy track exponent and has a solid record at Tauranga. Just love the way the Brosnan's condition their winter runners and 4th up we could see a much improved effort. Won at Ruakaka 12 months ago then swept up on the turn to win here over 2100m in Oct. No dash the last three over the mile, however much fitter, claims down to 52kg and up to a more suitable distance. Well worth keeping safe in a small, even field.

☆☆☆

QUICK FIRE put a gap between them over 2200m at Te Aroha two weeks ago and despite the weight rise, the TIME TEST mare appears well placed to feature once again. Got up to win a BM65 event at Te Rapa in May and Kylie Fawcett has developed the mare into a half decent stayer. Has won here, defeating CAST OF DIAMONDS in January, and although a little hit and miss, she could lead them on a merry chase as a highly fit specimen with some fine endurance qualities on the maternal side of the family.

☆☆☆☆

We expect trainer Ken Harrison has targeted this race for KING KHAN and the MONGOLIAN KHAN gelding improved to run 2nd at his latest on a Heavy 10 over 2000m at New Plymouth. He did run into 2nd place to Saturday's Brisbane Cup winner CAMPALDINO just over 12 months ago before winning with a well-timed finish over 2100m in the Trentham mud, and this appears his peak time of year. A nicely weighted horse, performs adequately 4th up, thrives in deep ground and seemingly nearing peak condition. Should be running on late better then a few of them if the going gets seriously tough. Solid chance in this Cup race.

☆☆

TAURANGA CLASSIC (L)

RACE 7 - 1400m

LUX LIBERTAS / RAREZA / GRANDE GALLO

Incredibly difficult to bet against a fit LUX LIBERTAS in the wet, and the ALMANZOR mare should lap up conditions at Tauranga on Saturday. The O'Sullivan/Scott trained mare battled into third from midfield behind TOMODACHI in the Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) before running on strongly from last for third place at Te Rapa after being checked on the turn. Sticks at the 1400m which is the only concern, however it is her best trip. If it's playing rough on the inside then expect the Brazilian to take him back and seek better ground through the middle or even out wide. Some risk, but a fit mudlark with a burning hot jockey aboard.

☆☆☆☆

Cody Cole will field RAREZA, and she is a very fine galloper having won the last three. She is a beautifully bred mare and has lived up to her high class pedigree in only nine raceday starts. Fought hard for 2nd behind the fine sprinter POKURU GOLD 12 months ago before winning at Pukekohe over 1400m. Did it easy at Trentham in Nov, then got up over 1200m at Woodville resuming. Sat off the pace before charging home to defeat AGERA over 1400m at Te Rapa last start, and likely to be well primed for this. A month between runs, loves the trip and Heavy - looks threatening and a better E/W bet over the topweight.

☆☆☆

The Wexford runner GRANDE GALLO has experienced a pretty solid campaign thus far, but has only managed to get into the winners circle once. Despite this the BELARDO mare has been quite powerful late and is 2/2 at the track and trip. Blocked, but very strong when winning here over YALDI in March before two third placing at Ellerslie running in good company. Came on well to run 2nd to MIDNIGHT SCANDAL over 1400m last start and if the mare can repeat that effort then she is right in this. We anticipate a strong performance from the horse in the wet, and expect Vinny to employ his characteristically assertive riding style.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1200m

REPTAK / BARONET / CLEAT

The Wexford trained REPTAK bypassed Ellerslie after a slow recovery from an average run there over 1200m in May and should be ready to go fresh up. Was way too good for them at Ellerslie in April and a 2nd to LUX LIBERTAS on a Heavy 10 last July suggests there's much more in there - its just we haven't quite seen his absolute best. The lightly raced SHOCKING gelding deserves a turn of luck and it would be no surprise to see him bounce back from that disappointing run.

☆☆☆☆

The CONTRIBUTER gelding BARONET from the Te Akau stable had struggled the last couple, however he is a sharp sprinter at best and may have turned the corner based on recent trackwork. Often trapped back or wide, like when four wide before looming up and only just going down to LUX LIBERTAS over 1200m on a Heavy 10 at Matamata. Little luck since, but he was in good form last winter, winning at Te Aroha and here at Tauranga over 1200m on testing tracks. Fought hard behind stablemate FORCE OF NATURE and SHOES at Te Rapa in May, and if that horse turns up, then look out.

☆☆☆

CLEAT will claim down to 55kg with the young apprentice aboard, and that will be of great benefit on a Heavy track. The RIOS gelding went down narrowly at New Plymouth and Matamata after hitting the lead early, before kicking hard to win over 1200m at Te Aroha on a Heavy 10. Typically likes to set his own terms, so expect jockey Gareth Lahoud to let him run freely and find the front early before trying to break away from the turn. Still in the same grade, suitably fit and set to lead them on a merry chase. The lad did win on him last start, so at least he has some familiarity with his style.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1600m

PACIFICO / MATANE / LERADO

Andrew Forsman has worked away on the ADROSSAN gelding PACIFICO and is starting to see the results. Fought well for 2nd at Counties and Rotorua on Heavy 10 tracks, before leading and winning comfortably over 1600m last start at Te Aroha. Claims 4kg which shows some serious intent and his trackwork on Tuesday was first rate. Plenty to like and natural progression suggests he will be rock hard fit and capable of repeating that last start performance. Goes very close we believe as a horse with some form at Tauranga and will lap up a Heavy 10 surface.

☆☆☆☆

The Barbara Kennedy trained MATANE should be ripe for the picking and despite hubby not being aboard, the RELIABLE MAN mare is in a better position then her previous run. Much better when offering a solid finish behind MAJOR MAJOR over 1600m on a Heavy 10 at Pukekohe two back, and she is versatile enough to be put in the race early despite running a little too keenly at times. A couple of significant victories within the last year, and just needs to recapture that powerful finishing drive we've seen before.

☆☆☆

You've got more chance of catching air in a jar then catching the Marsh trained LERADO, but when he is on, boy he looks good. The BELARDO gelding is yet to win on a Heavy track and seems a moody type that only runs when he feels like it, however he finished over the top of them impressively at Ellerslie two back and seemed to appreciate the step up in trip. Went back down to 1400m and did nothing, now comes back to the mile. Will go back and try to build up steam late, although there is plenty of doubt if they're making no ground from the rear. Will want a good price anyway.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1400m

PRUDENTIA / TE ATATU DREAM / TALENTOSO

The Wexford trained PRUDENTIA was checked last start over 1400m here, but improved wider on the turn to win easily. That was on a Heavy 10 and the same conditions will likely prevail in the last event of the day. The PROISIR filly pressed on without much luck in her first two runs, and finally showed her true ability in her third run. The real catch may be how the inside is playing by the last and whether Bruno will be better served drifting back, then searching for a firmer racing line out wide. Could be a good horse in time, but a winter type suited to the wet.

☆☆☆☆

The other O'Sullivan/Scott runner TE ATATU DREAM has a few years and few more runs on her young stablemate, however the COMPLACENT mare has looked very good the last couple at Te Rapa. Fought hard for 3rd over 1500m on a Soft 6 before a brave effort for 2nd from a wide gate over 1600m. Those Heavy conditions late in the day are likely to be very similar to what she strikes here, and as a super fit winter galloper she does look tough to beat. The bonus may be the wide draw which will allow the jockey an opportunity to push forward and aim for that outside rails run. Deserves a win so keep safe.

☆☆☆

Unsure how TALENTOSO will cope with these conditions fresh up, but four-year-old TARZINO gelding is solid in the wet and could be slightly forward enough to run out a strong 1400m. Held on well at Tauranga over the mile in November, and that was on a Heavy 8. Closed hard to finish 2nd over 1600m at Te Rapa two runs later but lacked any zip on a Good 4 at Ellerslie. Spelled after offering nothing behind WILLYDOIT in February and resumes here with 2 wins from 16 starts. Possibly a little one-paced, which might not be a bad thing on a testing track while on the fresh side. Odds seem about right.

☆☆

BEST BET: PACIFICO

NEXT BEST: LUX LIBERTAS

BEST VALUE: BARONET

LONGSHOT: ALIKAT (R3)