OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 1600m

BRIDAL TRAIN / MCKHAN / HARD TOO THINK

Some serious intent here with Allan Sharrock employing the experienced Kelly Myers for his fine mare BRIDAL TRAIN. The US NAVY FLAG mare won impressively over 1400m at Trentham in January, then finished 4th in both the Douro Cup (1600m) in Wellington and over the mile at Matamata. She was performing brilliantly in the first half of 2024, with wins at New Plymouth and Whanganui and runner-up three times at Te Rapa, Taranaki and Otaki. Hampered resuming at Te Rapa after a four month break, but ran on well out wider. Looks well-suited 2nd up, although any track upgrade a big plus.

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MCKHAN let us down when looking likely to run well in the Interprovincial at New Plymouth, but was going great guns in the Autumn and only needed to bring that form. The seven-year-old MONGOLIAN KHAN gelding obviously needed the run and was too worked up in the prelim and behind the gates to be effective. Much better 2nd up, running home well behind KNOCK OFF over 1600m at Wanganui and that's the horse we know. Trainer Ashley Meadows can can more out her gelding resuming after a spell and he did win a 1200m foxton trial to prepare for a return.

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The nine-year-old gelding, HARD TOO THINK, has had quite an extensive racing career in Singapore and has only competed in three races since his return to New Zealand and joining the Grey's stable in Palmerston North. Brilliant up there in 2021, winning the Gr.1 Singapore Derby, Gr.1 QEII Cup and Gr.1 Singapore Gold Cup. Racked up $1.4M in earnings, which is a bit more than this lot and double HE’S A DOOZY. Two runs in the CD 12 months back then fought hard for 2nd resuming over the mile at Tauherenikau. The old boy might have a few more left in him and the 54kg with Bruno aboard has him in it.

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BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1400m

CONNELLO / RIVERPLATE / SPECIAL SAKURA

CONNELLO is a complex, unpredictable type for trainer Lisa Latta, occasionally displaying moments of brilliance. Ever since her two-year-old season, the TIME TEST mare has offered plenty of grit and determination, but sometimes battles away. Finished 2nd to LEICA LUCY in the Gr.3 Eulogy and Gr.3 Gold Trail, before over-racing in the Lowland Stakes. Couldn't find a finish over 2400m in the Gr.1 NZ Oaks before a solid finish for 2nd in the NZB Stakes down on the Riccarton turf. Resumed with a 2nd at Otaki, then 3rd in the Gr.3 Breeders Stakes behind HI YO SASS BOMB on the Heavy. Couldn't find any room to move in the Canterbury Breeders, but a good horse on her day and a five week freshen up will have her ready for this trip we believe.

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RIVERPLATE experienced a fairly decent career in Australia since finishing 2nd to MUSTANG VALLEY on debut at Te Rapa, then crossed the ditch a few times. Gave it a good crack in the Caulfield Guineas before returning home and running 2nd to LA CRIQUE in a 3YO 1500m event. Eventually relocated permanently to Melbourne, winning 4 of his first 8. Rocked up occasionally after ending up in Adelaide, now the FLYING ARTIE has come home to join the Andrew Campbell stables here at Otaki. Two successful trials over 1000m and 1200m, so looks ready to go and very quick at his best. Could take some stopping.

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SPECIAL SAKURA has a fair amount of toe and can make his presence felt after a few runs back to add raceday fitness. The four-year-old STAPHANOS mare trained by Janelle Miller at New Plymouth set the pace and was only run down late at Waverley by the G2 Cal Isuzu winner in HINEKAHA. Chris Dell reckons the mare failed to handle the rain effected track at Otaki last start, so we have to go on that strong previous run. Won here over 1200m a year ago, then racked up one at home in February. Highly capable, so only needs a firm deck to tear out to lead and really shine.

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BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 2100m

MANZOR BLUE / BLUE JEANIE / CALL A FRIEND

The Lisa Latta trained MANZOR BLUE is a talented type by ALMANZOR who disappointed last start at Trentham. Should be at peak though, as the run prior was a serious blackbooker. Slow away at Taranaki and Wairarapa over the mile, but wound up nicely to finish into 2nd place on both occasions. Raced in restricted at Wairarapa before charging to the line when finally clear, meaning this distance may be right up her alley if we can put aside that last effort. Last won two-in-a-row over this trip at Otaki 12 months back, so seasonal timing should have the mare up and ready to fire.

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BLUE JEANIE was pretty impressive when winning over the mile at Wanganui, improving wider from the turn and running on well to defeat PSYCLONE in BM65 grade. That track looks to be her go to course, with a victory there in January as well as a 2nd and 3rd placing. Bit harder last time at Tauherenikau in Rating 75 class, with Erin Leighton taking the ride, although Amber Riddell seems to be the one who gets this SATONO ALADDIN mare best. Shifts up in trip for the first time since March where she finished 3rd to SUNSET BOULEVARD, and this may be the key to success stepping out at Otaki.

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Erin Leighton will ride CALL A FRIEND for Mike Breslin and the AKEED MOFEED mare was super game coming wider from the turn to win over 2200m at Tauherenikau, yhen had no luck last start at Otaki when restrained behind runners and hampered at the 400m, unable to find any clear racing room until the 100m mark. Did pretty bloody well to finish into 4th behind FREDDIE TIME and the mare has run some strong races on a firm surface. Plenty of runs on the board, but still a highly consistent type who can go well on a Soft 5 or better.

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BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 2200m

LEGACY / SMILING EYES / THRILLING

The SAVABEEL mare LEGACY, trained by Johno Benner, has demonstrated considerable promise in her limited starts, and her lineage suggests she is destined to be a powerful galloper. Her dam QUEST (Volkaraad) was a fairly talented stayer running in G1 company, so this trip should be ideal. Fourth in her first two early in 2025, then another fourth place resuming at Trentham over 1400m. Held up and contacted when 3rd over 1650m at Waverley before winning with a game finish over the mile at Wairarapa. Lost ground after beginning awkwardly last start, but likely to be well up for this.

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SMILING EYES seems quite a handy TIME TEST mare from the Ramsey/Ritchie stable who raced in restricted room near the 300m at Pukekohe at the latest, although the start before was full of merit. Settled back at Rotorua before improving wider from the turn, running on well for 2nd over 1950m. Ran hot from November 2024, with TOP3 finishes at Rotorua, Ruakaka, Otaki, Te Rapa and Pukekohe before winning at Counties over 2100m. Anywhere close that condition then right in this contest.

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The Latta-trained THRILLING has been running some nice races in the Central Districts with good results recently. The four-year-old SHOCKING finished 2nd at Waverley, and again at Tauherenikau behind LEGACY over the 1600m, before breaking her maiden at Waipuk with the blinkers on for the first time. Held up near the 250m over the mile at Trentham at the latest and just couldn't find any clear racing room. Suggests a big run is on up in trip and a numbers of factors line up well. Can definitely win this.

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BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1200m

SPANDEEDO / PEPEHA / TULLAMORE DEW

Gavin Sharrock will run the stylish SPANDEEDO in this, and the trainer admits the FERRANDO gelding has been a work in progress. Settled on the pace to win at Hawera in May, then hung badly and claimed late by PLATINUM DIAMOND over 1200m at Wanganui. Went quick to win at Hawera and the stable would like to see him on better ground and less exuberance. Goes flat out with his outright speed the X factor in his wins thus far, so as a three-year-old the gelding could offer more of the same, but with a little less enthusiasm. Could be very hard to haul in if allowed to dictate his own terms early.

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PEPEHA has been a bit slack of late but can sprint well in a fresh state and has one trial to prepare after a short break. The DARCI BRAHMA gelding last won over 1200m at Woodville in November but can challenge hard nearing the line and should be closing in on some form. Has faced some good fields recently and this is much weaker in many respects.

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The Allan Sharrock trained DARCI BRAHMA mare TULLAMORE DEW came out and won on debut and it looks like he has found another strong CD galloper who he can work though the grades. Trialled up nicely before leading from the 100m to prove victorious over 1200m at Hawera in March. The well-related mare was then put on ice until the summer and now has an opportunity to carry on where she left off. Probably needs this one, although we don't know how talented she may be as Sharrock is a master at prepping them well forward.

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BEST BET: RIVER PLATE

NEXT BEST: SPANDEEDO

BEAT VALUE: SPECIAL SAKURA

WILDCARD: KABUGEE