OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 3 - 1600m

MASTER MARKO / PENVOSE LAD / BUOYANT

The Kevin Tyler trained MASTER MARKO could have a bit on these here and the local handler does have a strong hand in this race. Won at this track in November over 1600m on a Heavy 10, then solid behind SUNSET BOULEVARD when 4th over 2000m at Riccarton. Raced three wide without cover from the 1000m in the Cromwell Cup (2030m) last start, hanging tough for 2nd place and sure to be in rock hard condition. Coming back to the mile won't be a problem and the CONTRIBUTER gelding can get it done at home.

☆☆☆☆☆

PENVOSE LAD is another with home ground advantage and this US NAVY FLAG gelding has been much improved the last few. Finished 2nd over 1220m at Cromwell before another runner-up slot there shifting up to the 1400m. While the Soft 7 at Gore in his previous outing may not have been ideal, and his aptitude for the mile distance remains to be definitively assessed, he possesses a degree of fitness that, coupled with a strategic ride could position him favourably. While securing a victory may be challenging, there is a strong potential for running in the money.

☆☆☆

BUOYANT is the type that would love to strike a Heavy track here to excel, although this is a pretty average Open field and Sabin Kirkland can prep his sprinters to peak. The seven-year-old DALGHAR gelding hasn't had much luck of late, bumped last start and three wide prior to that. Two good efforts on the Heavy when 2nd at Southland and Ascot Park, then sound when 3rd to INFLAMED on his home course, and that was on a Good 4, so not totally a wet track specialist. Up to the mile is the fascinating aspect as not really his known distance.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 2147m

INDIE ARDIE / LET FLY / SHORT

INDIE ARDIE will come into this well supported after a few nice runs and is just another Tyler runner on the day with hometown advantage. The four-year-old ARDROSSAN mare was running well in the Autumn and has failed to finish out of the top three in the seven previous starts. Won at Cromwell over 2030m in November, then ran 2nd to SHOCKUS returning there on the Sunday. Tougher run at Otago on Boxing Day but still managed to get up for 2nd, so consistent as the day is long. Looks ready to win once again.

☆☆☆☆

Joe Waldron now has charge of LET FLY, who last raced at Ellerslie and even competed in the Auckland Cup in March. Last won over 2400m at Ellerslie in November 2024 before finishing 3rd to SUN OF SON in the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m), then 3rd again over 2200m behind ABOUT TIME. Struggled against top stayers in the big features and the RAISE THE FLAG mare now has an opportunity to turn things around in an easier racing environment. Some faith required that the change of scenery down at Wingatui has offered a new lease on life.

☆☆☆

We have to give the Invercargill based galloper SHORT a serious chance here, as the SAVABEEL gelding has been pretty consistent over ground since April and seems to enjoy a good fight. Won at Southland twice back in the Autumn with a 3rd over 2147m in between here at Riverton. Ran 4th at Southland in October, then another on this track before winning at Invercargill and another 4th at the bottom of the country. Trainer Anna Hewiston has effectively developed this horse's full potential, positioning him as a strong contender in this race.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1400m

SABRINA HALL / INTERCEPT / MORE SASS

Former northerner SABRINA HALL impressed when runner-up in her southern debut at her new home track earlier, and Waldron is confident she can go better on New Year's Day. Bred and raced by Windsor Park Stud, Sabrina Hall was initially in the care of Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, for whom she won one of her six starts. She was entrusted to the care of Waldron when he returned to New Zealand from Australia at the start of the season, and the Otago horseman is rapt to continue his association with Windsor Park. Likely to be ridden like the best horse in the race and will be hard to beat.

☆☆☆☆

The WAR DECREE mare INTERCEPT trained on the course came out and won over 1200m with Kylie Williams aboard last start at Southland, and thats the right kind of form to be bringing into this. Won at Gore on a Heavy 8 last December, then finished 2nd behind FREDDIE TIME down at Riverton on New Year's Day, with the wet tracks more to her liking. Couldn't really hold that form as a front runner, so there had to be a question mark over the trip, although any substantial rain and could be the one to follow in.

☆☆☆

MORE SASS is another contender who performs well in wet conditions, and Kevin Tyler is likely anticipating the predicted showers to soften the track, which would benefit several of his horses. Won at Gore over 1100m in September, then here on her home course on a Heavy 10 in November. No good on the Soft 5 at Southland, before a tidy 2nd last start at Gore back on the Heavy, where the MONGOLIAN FALCON mare did a few things wrong. Can be slow away but hard to ignore on her home turf and can grab some of it with the right run.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1600m

MONAGHAN BOY / STOUT / ELOISE

With the recent loss of the White Robe Lodge sire GHIBELLINES, it would be great to see his six-year-old son MONAGHAN BOY fire on his home course. Retired to stud in 2016, Ghibellines sired Gr.1 winner SMOKIN' ROMANS, Brisbane Cup winner CAMPALDINO and $A1.5 million earner PALMETTO among nine stakes winners. MONAGHAN BOY sped to the lead to win here on New Year's Day 12 months ago, then went on to win the White Robe Handicap at Southland in February. Recent form has been solid, with a 2nd behind SABRINA HALL after racing three-wide, then a 4th at Gore after being checked at the start. Can make amends up to the 1600m despite the draw and big weight.

☆☆☆☆

STOUT was a fair performer in the Central Districts and hasn't performed too badly in the south for Steven Prince. Last won at Wingatui just under a year ago, athough his last couple of runs suggest improvement. Wasn't far off GENTLE BEN when 2nd to that horse at Southland in November, then no luck when held up badly rounding the final bend there and just couldn't find any room to move. Both efforts were over the mile, so expect a bold performance if this THE BOLD ONE gelding can get out into space and run home late from s wide gate.

☆☆☆

The former Northerner ELOISE, now with Robert Dennis, won at Te Aroha on a Heavy 9 in June and finished off into 2nd in the next over the mile at Matamata. Managed another 2nd on the Cambridge synthetic then did little in the next before shifting south. First run down at Southland over 1200m was a tough one, forced to race three wide without cover for the majority of the event and stood no chance. Better suited up in trip and certainly looks the one most likely to cause an upset in the hands of this astute trainer. A change of luck for this IFFRAAJ mare, then right in the contest.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 1200m

SECRET BEAU / SAILOR GIRL / ALI NEL

When trainer Joseph Waldron brought his six horse team home to Wingatui from Pakenham, the I AM INVINCIBLE gelding SECRET BEAU was one who stood out as a highly progressive type likely to relish South Island conditions. Originally a $425,000 purchase by Go Australia Bloodstock and Moroney Bloodstock, the gelding ran two nice 2nd placings at Pakenham in June before flying the coup and landing in New Zealand with his trainer. Secret Beau made the perfect start to Waldron’s return when winning at Riccarton in August, and despite a couple of setbacks, he looks back on track and ready to go.

☆☆☆☆

Robert Dennis may have turned the corner with SAILOR GIRL after a much-improved 2nd to INTERCEPT over 1200m at Southland last start. The four-year-old US NAVY FLAG mare has been a work in progress for Dennis as a pretty quick horse who doesn't know how to quite rein in her enthusiasm. Sped to the lead and clung on to win at Gore in March, then weakened out in her next couple before a third resuming there in September.

☆☆☆

The TEN SOVEREIGNS mare ALI NEL is of a similar vein and can sit up on a strong pace but struggles to finish it off over the sprint distances. Kicked at the 200m to hold on well at Wingatui in March before a solid 3rd fighting away at Riverton in April. Really poor the last two after trying to establish some cover early but goes ok here on this circuit and that could be the key to an improved performance. Be no surprise to see the Ebony Turner horse bust a move on her home track, but it would be interesting to see the mare flying quick on a Good 4, which she has rarely struck.

☆☆

BEST BET: MASTER MARKO

NEXT BEST: SECRET BEAU

BEST VALUE: STOUT

WILDCARD: ELOISE