HAWKES BAY CUP (L)

RACE 7 - 2200m

SINHAMAN / PROCUL BOY / SAVOIR FAIRE

We've tracked SINHAMAN throughout this campaign, and he is just another consistent Marsh runner who finally got the job done when defeating KIWI SKYHAWK over 2200m at Ellerslie in late January. No go in the Avondale Cup, although prior form was encouraging. Finished 2nd to QUEEN ZOU who went on to win the Rich Hill Mile, 3rd to the impressive RISE COMPANIONS at Ellerslie and 2nd to CRACKERCOL down in Wellington over the 2100m. The TIVACI gelding has always appeared a good stayer in the making and he seems to be finally fulfilling his potential. Third behind two quality stayers at Puke last start, so well in this contest based on recent form. Likely to be a strong Cup horse next season and this will be his last run this campaign with George Rooke aboard.

☆☆☆☆

Should the anticipated rainfall materialize across the North Island, then PROCUL BOY is projected to be a strong contender. The six-year-old PROISIR gelding can be a bit in-and-out but was good winning here over the 1600m in January. Overraced in the Douro Cup at Trentham before bouncing back with a late run for 3rd returning to Otaki. Won on the Heavy at Hawera, Whanganui and Waverley last Autumn, so adept in the wet stuff and definitely worth considering as a fit horse ready to throw down a big run. Considering a few might be scratched based on any adverse weather, he likely comes right into play for us, although versatile enough to handle it dry. Down in the weights and could be prominent late over this trip.

☆☆☆

SAVOIR FAIRE is a class act at best and proved it when launching with a scintillating finish to get up over 2000m at Matamata. Looks equally well placed here to mount a bold challenge after returning from a long Melbourne stint. The SAVABEEL gelding has displayed glimpses of brilliance, like when four wide at Cranbourne but going away to win over 2025m in November 2024, and you only need to revisit her classy win when slow away, then bursting through the center at Caulfield to win in fine style. The Walker/Bergerson team presented the mare in peak condition at Pukekohe last start, which lead to him powering down the outside to win impressively at the 2100m, so more of that same power appears on the agenda. Wide gate the only issue here, but sure to be ridden cold by Grylls and stoked up late.

☆☆

CITY OF NAPIER SPRINT (L)

RACE 5 - 1200m

KITTY FLASH / SLIPPER ISLAND / SHOES

The Forsman trained KITTY FLASH returns from a spell and apart from a fresh up win over 1200m at Tauranga, the ACE HIGH mare was unable to get across the line first in three additional runs. Ran 2nd in the next, before a bold effort to finish 3rd to THE SCUNNER in the Gr.3 Spring Sprint at Trentham. Ended the prep with another fine run for 3rd to dual G1 winner FIRST FIVE in the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m). Finished 2nd to ALABAMA LASS and SAVAGLEE in two 3YO Stakes races, so element of class about her says she only runs well after two trials to prepare. Watch Grylls put on the afterburners over the final stretch.

☆☆☆☆

SLIPPER ISLAND has done a few things wrong this prep and has been unlucky at times, as shown when crowded early and pushed back at Trentham before producing a powerful sprint down the outside to finished into 3rd place behind PLATINUM ATTACK over the 1200m. Inside gate here, therefore the Pike gelding can track in just behind the speed before angling out and attacking the line hard. Won this contest when held at Wellington last year and it does appear the six-year-old is peaking at just the right time. Well weighted, with Lily Sutherland likely to offer up a positive ride from the gate. Good E/W at these fantastic odds.

☆☆☆

SHOES is a slick little sprinter who likes to scoot across the turf and try to break them early, if possible, but he can be prone to 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 and hated the Heavy track at Tauranga. Taken to Timaru by trainer Pam Gerard but also 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 on New Year’s Day. The five-year-old DERRYN mare may find it hard to win with her racing style, although eventually she will hit peak and get those running shoes flying throughout. Not the worst TOP4 bet at odds.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1600m

JUNGLE JANE / UP THE ANTI / BRADLEY

Bruno thought more give in the track would benefit the TARZINO mare JUNGLE JANE after offering a flat finish last start, but the two runs prior on better ground were very good. The five-year-old mare finished second to AFTERNOON SIESTA over 1400m at Trentham in January and then achieved another second place in February to OMEGA BOY over 1400m at Hawera. Both those horses have enjoyed great campaigns, so it is a real measuring stick coming into this as a fit horse. Bruno holds the ride and draws to be prominent throughout. Really like the look of this horse peaking for the mile again and the first horse we picked for Saturday.

☆☆☆☆

We were quite interested in UP THE ANTI at substantial odds at Pukekohe, and the DIVINE PROPHET gelding delivered a much-improved performance fresh up for 2nd over the 1500m. The Wexford-trained horse achieved a victory over THE EXPONENT in a 1600m Ellerslie event on New Year's Day, then gave up some ground the next two, although Matamata was an unsuitable Heavy 9. Came back to Pukekohe last start after a freshen up to loom wider on the turn but unable to finish it off. Grylls on, top gate and has the ability to win this from the gate with Grylls on as likely to go forward and stay in the fight.

☆☆☆

The Cody Cole trained BRADLEY is a tough horse to catch, but we have managed to, like when winning last October at Matamata, and again at Trentham over the mile in January with a strong display. Faced a durable field at Ellerslie and happened to get too far back, then raced three wide without cover over 1600m at Wanganui last start, and squeezed between runners, so an easy forgive. You just know the BELARDO gelding will bob up at any old odds and willing to suggest Sam Collett provides a top ster from the inside gate. Certainly not without a chance in a very even field.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 3 - 2100m

MULAN ARDECHE / KINGSBROOK DIVA / KAWATIRI

Stephen Marsh may have the DUNDEEL mare MULAN ARDECHE in the right condition to feature in this after a few tidy runs this campaign. Fought in at Tauranga in January, before running on for 5th behind ASKIL and Derby winner ROAD TO PARIS at Ellerslie. Raced three wide without cover throughout when bold for 2nd up to the 2000m at Matamata but didn't appreciate the strong tempo and firm track at Pukekohe last start. Allow another chance at the distance and likely to be in sound staying condition at the junction in the preparation.

☆☆☆☆

KINGSBROOK DIVA got it right in defeating ZACONIC over the mile at Hawera last start and can go on with it here after such a strong victory. Took a while to wind into it and work out just what its all about, although Sharrock is a fine handler who allowed the MAURICE filly to find her feet with natural progression. Her dam KINGS BROOK was a pretty reasonable Melbourne performer from the sire HINCHBROOK with a firm track at Otaki to suit.

☆☆☆

We probably haven't quite seen the best of KAWATIRI, except on the Awapuni synthetic around this time last year, but this RELIABLE MAN mare could be closing in on her best again. Ran on late in the first couple back, then got back and came on strongly at Trentham over 2100m. Had another crack at it there and put up an even better fight for 3rd just half a length off HELLUVAH RETURN. Her dam is by STRAVINSKY from the classy mare SHOWTIME

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1600m

SATTRIYA / CAPACI / OUR GUILIA

Allan Sharrock hasn't rushed the progress of his SUPER SETH mare SATTRIYA, who looked very good running 2nd, then 3rd over 1400m on her home course of New Plymouth, before finishing best to win there on a Heavy 8 in mid-February. Couldn't offer a finish resuming at Taranaki coming off a fair freshen up but afforded more time and any moisture about won't be an issue. She is out of the ultra-fine race mare in RASA LILA (Darci Brahma), so very well related and should be much stronger this time up.

☆☆☆☆

CAPACI shouldn't be underestimated only three runs into her career, especially considering she finished 3rd to WAR PRINCESS in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1200m) at Trentham in December, which was quite an accomplishment, even with a comfortable margin. By the sire TIVACI, she is out of a SAVABEEL mare, who in turn is from the fine G1 winning racemare in CAPTIVATE (Stravinsky). One run back from the filly and doing her best work late behind the tearaway winner PADDY THE FARMER, so likely to strip much fitter. The presence of Grylls from this gate may pose a significant threat.

☆☆☆

OUR GUILIA is a SAVABEEL mare out of the stunning PINS mare in KARLA BRUNI, trained by Roydon Bergerson at Awapuni. Consistent without being outstanding early last year, she returned to win over 1650m at Waverley in September, then finished 2nd to DRESSE' PAR JOLI on a Heavy 10 at New Plymouth. Came back to Waverley to produce another strong effort for 2nd, then crowded at the 50m at Trentham. Resumed with tough run at Wanganui, making contact with the rail at the 300m and offering a poor finish. Slightly better luck here then definitely in the contest.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1200m

TOO SWEET / ST KILDA / AVANTAGGIA

The SATONO ALADDIN filly TOO SWEET begun her career with positive intent, defeating LA DORADA in the Gr.2 Ecilpse Stakes at Ellerslie as a two-year-old, four wide and no chance in the 2025 Karaka Millions 2YO, then 3rd in the Listed Starway Stakes in Auckland. Not quite as potent as a three-year-old, finishing just in behind the placings in the Gold Trail Stakes, Sunline Vase, J&A Memorial and Bonecrusher. She has encountered a few superior competitors, yet remains a formidable filly for Roydon Bergerson, and there is no discrediting any of her performances. Really deserves a victory and BM65 is within her capabilities, wet or dry.

☆☆☆☆

Cody Cole trains the REDWOOD mare ST KILDA, bred and owned by Gerald Harvey and the four-year-old didn't look too bad in her first couple of starts. Won here at Pukekohe on debut over 1200m in October, leading from the turn and driving to the line hard. Set thd pace and fought on for 4th in a trip away to Wanganui, before a total capitulation at Trentham after looking likely on the turn. Three month break away from the track and has trialed up over 1100m at Ellerslie to prepare. She is bred to be a strong galloper, so fresh up over this distance may be the best time to try and grab her.

☆☆☆

The royally bred Wootton Bassett/Avantage filly AVANTAGGIA should return a much stronger three-year-old after that first intial prep and we just don't know what level she can go to this this in. Following a fourth-place finish to WELL WRITTEN on debut, the horse subsequently triumphed over the notable CONFESARA in an 1150m race at Te Aroha. Demonstrated a strong third-place performance a month ago resuming and is anticipated to maintain a high level of fitness with continued training. Her mum was a star, so plenty of hype still surrounds her.

☆☆

TWO-YEAR-OLD SW&P

RACE 2 - 1200m

KA RON / NANESSE / WALKIN IN MEMPHIS

Really like the way in which the Allan Sharrock trained KA RON hit the line at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, and the HELLO YOUMZAIN gelding showed some real grit in the final 100m to finish into 2nd by short margin to TE ENCUENTRO over 1100m. Brave effort to wind up 2nd to KINNAIRD over 800m at Otaki on debut in November and burst through the ruck to challenge hard. That set him up perfectly for the Karaka Millions 2YO but landed a wide gate and went too keenly before being held up over the final 100m. Given a good break since then and this trip may suit well fresh up if able to settle early.

☆☆☆☆

The James/Wellwood team present another promising horse on debut in NANESSE, who has trialled up well three times, including a victory over AMOURETTE, an impressive debut winner at Ellerslie last Saturday. Finished 2nd to LADY SUPIO by a head charging late over 1000m at Avondale on March 24, so potentially has some genuine TARZINO power. Her dam DIAMOND DREAM wasn't terrible and even ran a 2nd place to NZ Derby winner SHERWOOD FOREST. With Fastnet Rock and Centaine in the mix, expect a competitive three-year-old next season and could pop up on debut for the Kingsclere team.

☆☆☆

Just forget WALKIN IN MEMPHIS debut performance, which was a nightmare scenario, unbalanced when bumped at the 375m and inconvenienced near the 200m mark at Pukekohe. Only one trial prior to gauge this Forsman trained TOO DARN HOT colt, where he moved well and was ridden right out to the line by Grylls. His dam TENNESSEE GOLD is by Lonhro out of the Royal Academy mare, TENNESSEE ROYAL. Could be a bit more juice to this colt, but possibly a wait and see. Trusting the stable who tend to get them up and firing early.

☆☆

BEST BET: JUNGLE JANE

NEXT BEST: SINHAMAN

BEAT VALUE: SLIPPER ISLAND

WILDCARD: OUR GIULIA