OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 2100m

SAVOIR FAIRE / KIWI SKYHAWK / SINHAMAN

SAVOIR FAIRE is a class act at best, and proved it when launching late to get up at Matamata with an impressive sprint. 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 over 2000m to win in fine style. The Walker/Bergerson team is anticipated to present the mare in peak condition again following a few runs back on NZ soil, positioning her as a formidable contender going up in trip.

☆☆☆☆

KIWI SKYHAWK has been looking to really break out since winning at Tauranga in early January, although the fine CONTRIBUTER gelding was highly impressive in her three-year-old campaign and did take on the Avondale Cup last start, running an admirable 4th over the 2400m. No shame finishing 2nd to SINHAMAN the run prior at Ellerslie and we imagine Stephen Marsh will want to achieve another victory this campaign. Did win the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic over the 2100m this time last year, then went on to claim the Gr.3 Trelawney Stud Stakes at Ellerslie over the same trip. Hard to knock the staying ability and does look the horse with superior fitness on his side.

☆☆☆

We 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. Has the goods to run TOP3 off a month's break.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1400m

FINANCIER / MASTER FAY / TAKESHI

The Marsh-trained FINANCIER was off the scene for nearly two years before returning from the dead to run 2nd to CAPTURED BY LOVE at Taupo in February. The now six-year-old TAVISTOCK gelding won in early 2023 as a three-year-old, and ran 2nd at Te Rapa and 2nd to JIMMYSSTAR over 1300m at Hastings. Nice win after that on the Hawkes Bay track. Won at Matamata and deated JAARFFI at Te Rapa, consistently in the money against high class company. He then suffered a slight tweak of the tendon, it wasn’t bowed, but the team decided to give him a long, extended spell and a slow build-up. May need this one as well, but too talented to ignore.

☆☆☆☆

Chad Ormsby is trying to squeeze the last bit out of MASTER FAY, who is now an eight-year-old still giving his all. Won well at Ellerslie in October, then sound finishing 2nd here at Counties to MIDNIGHT EDITION in the Gr.3 Concorde. Found the Telegraph and Railway too extreme, before a late charge for 5th over 1200m in Auckland and 4th behind SWEYNESDAY Iin the Gr.3 King's Plate there on Champions Day. Did defeat FINANCIER in 2024, has raced in Hong Kong and Flemington, but only 14 runs in total. No surprise to observe a significant late surge from the seasoned individual who continues to demonstrate considerable vigor.

☆☆☆

TAKESHI is a difficult horse with plenty of potential and his pedigree is sublime to say the least, but you'll ready need to overlook the last two massive failures. By SATONO ALADDIN, his dam PASSCHENDAELE (Montjeu) was a top stayer, winning the Gr.2 Waikato Cup (2400m). Settled 2nd before a game finish to win over 1200m at Tauranga in January, then weakened out at Ellerslie and Matamata going up in trip. Ready good last March, running 2nd over the mile at Pukekohe, followed a strong mile win at Trentham. At this stage Stephen Marsh has his work cut out and he doesn't seem the easiest horse to handle. Going on trust the stable can turn things around.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1600m

GOD OF EROS / UP THE ANTI / LUPO SOLITARIO

Rolled the dice on the Shane Crawford trained GOD OF EROS twice and came our big winners when the PIERRO gelding firstly burst through to score over 1600m at Matamata ($25), then delivered a similar performance to win at Tauranga over 1500m ($23.80), which was equally as surprising. He's always shown something as an ultra consistent type and got close to some pretty decent horses, but as a late bloomer the gelding seems to have come up in brilliant condition this prep. Trialled over 1100m at Ellerslie and not seen at the races for two months, so an upset result again? Eachway could work and may find a path through late.

☆☆☆☆

We were quite interested in UP THE ANTI at substantial odds during its last appearance at Pukekohe, and the DIVINE PROPHET gelding delivered a much improved performance fresh up for 2nd over the 1500m. The Wexford-trained racehorse had performed below expectations in previous outings, but subsequently achieved a victory over THE EXPONENT in a 1600m race at Ellerslie on New Year's Day. Gave up some ground the last two, although Matamata was an unsuitable Heavy 9. With a month between races, the strategy will be to position the horse forward from thr jump and maintain a secure position to maximise chance of victory.

☆☆☆

LUPO SOLITARIO is back from an unhappy time in Hong Kong and whether it was the stable, climate or missing the green grass of home, the SATONO ALADDIN gelding never produced much at Sha Tin. Now in the care of Danica Guy, we could see some form return quickly, but possibly up at the 1400m. Before leaving our shores, his 3YO season was dynamic, defeating GLAMOUR TYCOON and MARY SHAN over 1200m here, then winning again at Tauranga before running 2nd to CROCETTI in the Gr.2 Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa. Tried hard behind ORCHESTRAL at Pukekohe, so some serious ability when last seen here. Watch closely, especially on a Good 4.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 1200m

ESPASDAS / HAVE A CRACK / PERFECT DIVIDENDS

ESPASDAS is a five-year-old ACE HIGH gelding who started his career in fine fashion with a third on debut over 1200m at Pukekohe back in March 2024. Ran on well to win next up at Ellerslie before being set to race in Australia, but that never eventuated. The Clotworthy's held him here and took their time as the big horse required time to mature, with a spring campaign the main focus. Resumed in a strong Rating 75 race at Ellerslie in late November, catching the eye when storming home for 4th after being held up over 1100m. Based on that effort he appears a major player here as Ellerslie looks like a course that suits his gang busting, late charge style of attack.

☆☆☆☆

HAVE A CRACK was crowded early resuming at Matamata and lost ground shortly after the start, but he has run some cracking races since losing his rider on debut at Bendigo. Transfered to Chad Ormsby in the winter of 2025 and wo on the Cambridge Synthetic before bursting through on the inner to win over 1200m at in Auckland. Decent effort running 3rd to KITTY FLASH, and went even better when 2nd to SWEYNESDAY over 1100m at Ellerslie. Didn't like it too firm and overaced at Te Rapa before a spell, but maybe Ormsby believes the 1200m is really his go. Needs to be taken seriously as a talented type.

☆☆☆

PERFECT DIVIDENDS is just the type to unsettle the flow in this race after running so well in the Autumn and looks due to deliver a solid performance leading from the front. Won here over 1300m in January, setting the pace and too strong to the line, before struggling after racing three wide at Te Rapa and the same at Matamata where he failed to get his head in the game. This trip should suit with fitness on his side and did run 2nd to dual G1 winner FIRST FIVE over 1200m last March, then 2nd to FORCE OF NATURE a few weeks later. Looks to be right in this contest jumping handy and controlling the pace.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 3 - 2100m

MUSTANG MORGAN / HEPHAESTUS / SADHBH

MUSTANG MORGAN chased home BOURBON PROOF for 3rd at Matamata before winning a two horse war in the Listed Gingernuts Salver over 2100m in 2025. It seemed to click after that for the Andrew Forsman-trained PREFERMENT gelding and he finally worked out what this gig is all about. Appeared much more comfortable going up in distance, however back in trip from this draw may be fine, especially based on his high level of fitness. Could in fact be the better bet with Warren Kennedy aboard, even going up in weight. Scores a spft trip in the running then possibly can find a path through and power into it late.

☆☆☆☆

HEPHAESTUS was a little shabby in his first prep last Autumn but didn't finish too far off them in a couple of contests. The four-year-old gelding by THE AUTUMN SUN did nothing resuming in December, then improved to finish 3rd over 2200m here at Pukekohe. Settled back and hindered, but still cruised in over 2100m at Otaki before a steong effort for 2nd to JULLANUS over the same distance at Trentham. Staying closer to home this time and hopefully in hard condition to face this field.

☆☆☆

Strange Irish name SADHBH, but we've gone for some real value here with a DARCI BRAHMA mare who has shown something in the wet and won't mind the sting out of the ground. The Pam Gerard stayer was impressive in a ding-dong battle when just going down to PROBOY over 2400m at Te Rapa, then couldn't provide a finish going back to the 1600m at Matamata. Wound up hard for 3rd over 2100m at Waipikurau on a Heavy 8, although we believe with an increased level of endurance fitness and the benefit of this long straight, she might be able press on strongly over the closing stages, even on a firm surface.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 1200m

ASHOKA / LE JACQUES CARTIER / ST KILDA

Michael McNab will leap aboard the HELLO YOUMZAIN gelding ASHOKA who is yet to finish out of the money in five starts for trainer Tony Pike. Ran 2nd on debut at Ellerslie in June, then again up at Ruakaka. Resumed with a 3rd placing over 1200m at Trentham, before being run done by ASKIL over 1300m at Taupo. Finally broke his maiden at New Plymouth in November with a strong effort and then sent for a decent spell. Only one soft trial three weeks back, but likey to set up in the lead and try to hold them off while in a fresh state.

☆☆☆☆

The ASTERN gelding LE JACQUES CARTIER had only been to the races twice but looks a nice find with some real ability. The Danny Walker & Aaron Tata trained gelding won all three trials including one here, before racing wide, but fighting on hard for 3rd on debut at Te Rapa. Rocked up here at Pukekohe to share the pace before kicking hard for a game win over 1200m at the end of February. His dam GLIB (New Approach) was handy in Victoria before shifting to Sydney, and her son looks a fairly talented lad likely to make an impact here with Opie in the saddle.

☆☆☆

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 the 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 trialled up over 1100m at Ellerslie to prepare and possibly a touch more mature. She is bred to be a strong galloper, so fresh up over this distance may be the best time to try and grab her.

☆☆

THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP

RACE 2 - 1600m

VICTOR TANGO / AUTUMN QUEEN / SOLID GOLD

David Greene appears to have another good one on his hands in VICTOR TANGO, and the three-year-old PROISIR gelding is bred to be a beauty. Begun awkwardly on debut before coming wider ro finish 2nd to AUTUMN GLORY over 1400m at Ruakaka, and that horse went on to run win the Waikato Guineas and 2nd in the NZ Derby a couple of weeks back. Gave it heaps to get home ahead of MOONBEAMS over 1400m at Matamata last start and likely to have trained on well. Short trip up the State Highway from Te Rapa and could return to the Tron with the chocolates.

☆☆☆☆

Andrew Forsman has a tidy filly in AUTUMN QUEEN, who ran 3rd at Wairarapa over 1400m in November, then returned there in March to win over the same trip nearly four months later. Lay out slightly once turning in but really set down to thr grind to work home hard. The three-year-old filly is by the powerful sire THE AUTUMN SUN from a DUNDEEL mare WHATADEEL and Forsman has taken his sweet time since 2024 as an unraced two-year-old. Appears some serious progress has been achieved with this horse and the 1600m looks right up his alley. Could be right amongst it when the whips start cracking.

☆☆☆

Love the pedigree on the SAVABEEL filly SOLID GOLD from the James/Wellwood Kingsclere barn who has shown enough in early trials and on raceday to suggest she can be even more competitive here. Finished 4th on debut at Taupo in September, followed by a 3rd to the slick SWISS PRINCE over 1400m at Ellerslie in October. Won a second trial before resuming in late February with a a 4th placing at Matamata when held up rounding the final bend, but likely to strip much sharper 2nd-up as going up to the mile will suit better. Bred to be handy, trackwork impressive and the way this stable are humming at the moment it would be unwise to fully dismiss.

☆☆

TWO-YEAR-OLD SW&P

RACE 1 - 1200m

INCANDESCENT / POUNCE / SO FEAR

Roger James was adamant the PER INCANTO gelding INCANDESCENT would make a strong three-year-old running over further next season, however he wasn't the only one surprised by his debut performance. The first MyRacehorse syndicated runner avaliable in NZ trialed up nicely before opening his account over 1100m at Ellerslie in impressive style. Finished 4th to KINNAIRD at Ellerslie in the Gr.2 Ecilpse Stakes, then not seen again until a 3rd resuming at Wanganui. Should the gelding replicate his debut performance, he is expected to finish strongly once more - good draw, blinkers on and the 520m straight will significantly aid his endeavour.

☆☆☆☆

The promising DIRTY WORK filly SUMMER SCHEMER pulled of a coup on debut when dashing to the lead from the turn and kicking on to win over 1100m at Ellerslie. Out of a STRATUM mare in SUMMER WIND, she finished ahead of STATE OF VALOUR, who ran 3rd in the Gr.1 Sistema, and sharp Te Akau juvenile SEIZE THE DAY. Displayed some genuine tenacity and the Ritchie/Murray team could aim towards the Gr.1 Sires’ Produce at Trentham if the filly goes well here, with Grylls retaining the ride on Friday.

☆☆☆

SO FEAR showed no fear when fronting up from two nice trials to win on debut at Wanganui for Stephen Marsh. The bold ARDROSSAN filly is out of a one win mare in SOPHIA MAGIA (Per Incanto) and she doesn't reflect the most flashiest bloodlines. Nevertheless, raced keenly on debut over 1200m, bumped at the 50m becoming unbalanced, but still managed to power up to finish over the top of SWEETEST THING and INCANDESCENT. Obviously has some speed in those legs and coming from this stable they only tend to progress forward. Will be interesting to see she measures up in the north on the long straight.

☆☆

BEST BET: VICTOR TANGO

NEXT BEST: FINANCIER

BEST VALUE: SAVOIR FAIRE

WILDCARD: GOD OF EROS