ROTORUA ITM STAKES G3

RACE 8 - 1400m F&M

KITTY FLASH / NIGELLA LANE / BEDTIME STORY

Andrew Forsman was happy with the stakes placings of KITTY FLASH in the Listed Sprint at Otaki, and he did sound a warning to punters that she may well need the fresh up run. Struck a nice patch prior to Xmas, winning at Tauranga before finishing 2nd in the course to CHARMROSE over 1200m. Solid for 3rd in the Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m) at Trentham followed by a bold 3rd in the Gr.3 J. SWAP (1400m) behind FIRST FIVE and TUXEDO after setting the pace. Second up with Rooke aboard seems the right winning formula and should prove hard to beat - if you can handle dealing with the wide gate.

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Trainer Ralph Manning had aimed NIGELLA LANE at the Rotorua Cup in an attempt to defend the title she won 12 months ago, but he admits the NIAGARA mare has had a few niggles and that was on a HEAVY10. Went well on the SOFT5 to win at Taupo over 1400m in December, then highly impressive up to 1600m in the Thoroughbred Breeders at Tauherenikau in February. Raced three wide without cover in the Cuddle Stakes at Trentham last start, but a nice trial should have this versatile mare primed for another big effort up in trip.

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BEDTIME STORY has established a fine race record for the Lowry/Zydenbos team and can run a top race fresh up. Continued to stand out when 3rd in the Listed ANZAC Mile, then 2nd in the Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes behind the well-performed TOMADACHI. Two nice trials prior to resumption before fighting hard for 4th behind TWAIN in the WFA Sweynesse Stakes at Te Rapa. Ran 2nd over 1230m at Wanganui in November but found the Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic talent too rich. Defeated MA TE WA in a recent trial so possibly the break has freshened up the PER INCANTO gelding nicely and can resume on a strong note.

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ROTORUA CUP (L)

RACE 7 - 2200m

SAVOIR FAIRE / HEZASHOCKA / ROSETOWN PRINCESS

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

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HEZASHOCKA is a class act at best and has been trying to get back that winning feeling, although the 60kg does make it hard up against horses 7kgs better off at the weights. He did run 3rd to LEVAKIA at Ellerslie two starts back and the old boy will get Opie Bosson back on which may help. OTI are hopeful he can recapture some form wiyh the Clotworthy's after such a successful career in Australia and a win here wouldn't be much of an upset as the best performed stayer in the race.

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We were quite impressed with ROSETOWN PRINCESS last prep, and although this REDWOOD mare's racing style may not always lead to victory, she has reached a new high this prep and has come across much stronger. Performed relatively well racing in Melbourne before returning home and this staying trip and managed to palce in the Counties Cup which was a top effort. Could upset in thr right mood. Always had some fairy in the horse as she does know how to let down late and isn't often far away.

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BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 1560m

WAR QUEEN / LERADO / MULAN ARDECHE

Kurtis Pertab will have WAR QUEEN in optimal condition after a fine run to finish a short head from SWEET SMILE over 1400m at Ellerslie last start when we thought this PROISIR mare would get up and win it. Excellent in her first prep, but now appears more mature and better equipped to handle pressure. Has come in for firm support jumping from an inside gate with Rooke aboard so likely goes very close.

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LERADO is one horse that can do your head in and the moment we jumped off, the bloody thing comes out and brains them. Had promised to burst out of the box for some time before finally turning up with a brave finish to claim the win over 1600m at Otaki - and of course he paid $17.00. The BELARDO gelding has never won here but who knows with this guy as being a Marsh horse going back-to-back wouldn't surprise, but he could just as easily run last. Fingers crossed.

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Stephen Marsh may have the DUNDEEL mare MULAN ARDECHE in the right condition to feature in this after a strong victory last start. Fought on 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 or firm track at Pukekohe. Likely to be in sound condition at the juncture in the preperation.

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BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1560m

CHARMER / SWEET BUT PSYCHO / EL ARISH

CHARMER is probably a very good chance early in the day with the 4kg claim, and CHARM SPIRIT mare won here over 1300m two back. Sat midfield before chal lenging hard to get up late and despite the class rise she did take on some sharp 3yos in 2023, with a 2nd in the Wellington Stakes a nice result. Xame on last start over 1400m at Te Rapa but failed to finish it off on challenging day with a sticky track. If able to settle early from this gate then we could see a similar performance to her last effort.

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SWEET BUT PSYCHO might be close to delivering something of substance after a couple of runs back and came on well late over the mile at Te Rapa last start. The grey PROISIR mare was sound to the line resuming on a Heavy 8 at Tauranga. Slow to begin before cruising up on the turn to deliver a strong win over 2000m at Matamata in October and the lead up runs weren't too dissimilar and trusting Wexford to have the edge on here. Can win.

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EL ARISH should be in firm condition after a few solid runs, and last won when defeating CROWN PRINCESS over 1600m at Tauranga on a GOOD4. Game at Matamata for 3rd, then slowly battled on in the next two making it look hard, but unsuited by the Heavy track at Te Rapa last start. Gets back onto a better surface and thats probably the key to a turnaround in form. Masa aboard and coming out of the Marsh stable we won't be discounting his chance to bounce back.

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BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 9 - 1400m

ACCENTUATE / ESTERNAY / LYIN' EYES

ACCENTUATE sounded a warning to her Ryder Stakes rivals last July with a solid build up but was knocked around and seemed to resent it. The TURN ME LOOSE filly followed two nice trials with a convincing debut victory at Tauranga over 1200m in June but not seen until April 1 when the saddle slipped sideways after the start placing her at a disadvantage. The Mapperley Stud bred filly fought in for 2nd at Te Rapa over 1400m last start and Rooke takes the reins this time. She's should be in fantastic order for Andrew Forsman and could offer a winning run from a tidy gate.

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ESTERNAY could be the real deal returning home and sprouted wings to fly home from last to win over 1400m at Flemington. The ALL TOO HARD filly is out of a fine racemare in SEZZANE (More than Ready) and trained by the Kiwi, Mark Walker. Three wide without cover when breaking her maiden at Cranbourne and looks to possess the right amount of ability to impress in the Guineas. Worth keeping safe but racing style makes it tough. Can upset even from this difficult wide draw.

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We've kept a close eye on the Chris Wood-trained LYIN’ EYES, especially since this SHOCKING mare has been running so positively in fairly strong company from November. Broke her maiden at Ellerslie over 1300m, followed by a fighting effort for 5th over the same trip at Te Rapa. Lost ground, but fought on for 3rd behind KHALEESI and GOLDEN WINGS coming back to Auckland, and a reasonable 5th placing at Matamata has the mare well positioned to offer up a top effort here. Just can't seem to turn a trick with bad draws.

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THREE-YEAR-OLD SW&P

RACE 1 - 1400m

ARTHUR / TIANTAI / EMMA TWIGG

We don't mind a nice CAMELOT sired horse and this one ARTHUR appears to have a power of natural ability. Fought on ok at his debut run over 1200m at Ellerslie, and followed that up with a sound 2nd behind Bonecrusher Stakes winner THAT'S GOLD over 1400m at Te Aroha. Settled midfield when 3rd up to the mile in Auckland, although inconvenienced at the 100m mark which didn't help much. The Tony Pike trained three-year-old could be ready to deliver his best performance yet, and he has been prepared with little pressure.

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TIANTAI kicked off her career at Rotorua last November before finishing second at Te Aroha. The TIVACI filly trained by the Kelso's got it right returning a much stronger horse in April by winning over 1200m at Te Rapa and was just too good for them. Loomed wider from midfield to end up 6th at Ellerslie last start but seemly needed the run and should strip a more sharper horse this time up. Tidy gate, Masa in the saddle and she does look hard to beat in the first.

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EMMA TWIGG will need to get her oars out and row hard for Team Te Akau, but with Sam Collett aboard a big run is on the cards. The EL ROCA filly defeated PORTLAND on debut at Te Aroha before losing ground early returning there and was under a ride from the turn. Given an educational trip to Otaki, doing very well to run 2nd after running three wide without cover over 1400m and it was a brave effort. Back on a more stable surface we expect suitable improvement.

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BEST BET: SAVOIR FAIRE

NEXT BEST: WAR QUEEN

BEST VALUE: LYIN’ EYES

WILDCARD: HEZASHOCKA