OPEN HANDICAP
RACE 7 - 1600m

BRIGHT STRIPES / MA TE WA / LATEST MODEL

Having his first start in New Zealand, Irish import BRIGHT STRIPES recorded a strong victory over 1400m at Te Rapa. Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM in the UK from the Tattersalls' Autumn Horses in Training Sale, Bright Stripes won as a two and three-year-old, including the Listed Tetrach Stakes (1600m). He first transferred to the Te Akau stable in Melbourne, before coming to New Zealand when he had kissing spine surgery. Seems a very capable galloper at home in NZ and could go on with it here.

☆☆☆☆

Robbie Patterson has a reliable type in MA TE WA who certainly hasn't been overraced and the New Plymouth trainer sent him back to the trials to win at Foxton after doing little at Te Rapa fresh up. Last won back in Feb on a Heavy Taranaki track with some seriously spaced races in between, but was humming mid 2025 and aiming to find that kind of form once again. Seemed relatively well-positioned going up to the 1600m and far too talented to dismiss here.

☆☆☆

LATEST MODEL may need another one to strengthen her fortitude, but the VESPA mare was flying early in the year, winning two over 2200m at Trentham, then again over 2500m there in March. Possibly enough work in the legs for the mile and Gary Vile will be aiming for some bigger riches over the summer prep. She is a pretty experienced mare, although yet to win one here on her home course of Otaki, although shows up on soft tracks and the pitch should be near perfect. 

☆☆


OPEN HANDICAP
RACE 5 - 1200m

AMEND / COSENTINO / LUCULLAN

Very even Open sprint event at Otaki on Saturday, and despite being the topweight and drawn wide, we still believe AMEND can go a big race after a few runs back for IIone Kelly. AMEND ran an improved third 2nd-up over 1100m at Te Rapa and we have seem some top efforts from the WROTE gelding within the past 12 months. Finished 2nd in the Levin Classic (1200m) and won at Wanganui and New Plymouth prior to a brave 2nd to MARY SHAN at Wanganui in late August 2025. A year off the scene before resuming and versatile enough to handle most conditions. Keen on these odds E/W.

☆☆☆☆

Quite fancy the Gray-trained EL ROCA gelding COSENTINO, who is a dynamic 2nd-up horse and is yet to win fresh up, but with three trials behind him we could see a bold performance returning from a long spell. Yet to win again since three Awapuni synthetic victories last year, although the gelding was never far away from the winners in four out of the five runs over the summer period. Bruno on and possibly one worth including to make up the numbers.

☆☆☆

LUCULLAN hasn't drawn too well here for the 1200m but could go forward early and try to get on the tail of something before sprinting hard from the turn. Got the job done for us twice at Tauherenikau and Waverley last prep before failing in Open company on an unsuitable Heavy track. We do like the connection Toni Davies has with this RICH ENUFF gelding who is the type able to keep up a good clip and he is coming off a jumpout win at Waipuk. Odds are generous enough to entertain some thought.
☆☆

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