WHANGAREI GOLD CUP

RACE 7 - 2100m

FLAMENCO / PERFECTMANZ / BOSCH

Unlike her late burst to win exceptionally well over the mile at Matamata, FLAMENCO was slow away losing ground at Rotorua last start and just don't hold that against her. The TAVISTOCK mare is in excellent condition and is poised to deliver a strong performance, as she typically excels in the latter stages of a race, making the extended distance ideal.

☆☆☆☆

PERFECTMANZ just worked too hard up front on the outer at Rotorua and is better suited to being settled in behind the pace and finding a target to chase home. Nice win over 2200m at Te Aroha in March, then got out and up late for a tidy victory at Te Rapa over 2400m. Sure to be hard fit and although unpredictable, shouldn't be underestimated.

☆☆☆

BOSCH has been nothing short of terrible in his three runs back, but gets onto his home course and thats where he typically shines at this time of year. Won two here in 2024 and another last winter, so expect the Michelle Bradley gelding to take up the running and try to lead them from go to woah. May take a bit more to turn it around though.

☆☆

WAIPU CUP - BM75 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1600m

BOURBON PROOF / TRANSACTION / DELZ ABEEL

BOURBON PROOF is struggling to replicate his fine three-year-old season when running 2nd in the Waikato and Avondale Guineas and 4th in the Karaka Millions. Defeated QUEEN ZOU in November but recent runs since resuming haven't been very flattering. The JUSTIFY gelding is bred to be good so every opportunity exists here on his new home course.

☆☆☆☆

We were keen on TRANSACTION at Tauranga and the OCEAN PARK mare put in a good performance behind the Logan-trained ROCKING. Ran on behind BONNARD for 2nd over the mile in May and handled the Heavy 10 at Te Aroha quite well when 4th. Should be at peak with an improved track no disadvantage.

☆☆☆

DELZ ABEEL was scratched from the Cambridge synthetic on Thursday to head north instead and the Tony Pike gelding could have stayed closer to home and won easily. The SWISS ACE gelding hasn't always produced his best but we do like this horse and comes back to the turf where a firm surface should suit. The money has come for him after slick trackwork on Tues, so keep very safe.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 3 - 1200m

KHALEESI / SCOLERA / IRIDESCENT

The Marsh-trained KHALEESI exhibits a combination of unique quirks and significant talent, which positions the SAVABEEL gelding as our top pick – however, be prepared to hold your breath as he is only lightly raced. Won two back-to-back, including a quality New Year’s Day victory at Ellerslie. Badly crowded in the Karapiro Classic in Feb, and only one lone trial since. Should really win.

☆☆☆☆

The SWISS ACE mare SCOLERA trialed up like a demon at Waipa in April, but failed to deliver on that fresh up at Te Rapa and likely needed the run. Better on the poly when 4th over 970m at Cambridge, although more was expected from the four-year-old. At some point the Jim Collett trained mare will throw down a big performance at the sprint trip.

☆☆☆

IRIDESCENT was impressive winning at over 1200m at Ellerslie last start, sailing to the lead out wide and easily dealing to a pretty reasonable field of hsndy sprinters. The WYNDSPELLE mare won on her home course here 12 months back for trainer Michelle Bradley and in this current form looms as a major player. Similar effort to the last and could jag this late.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1200m

ASHOKA / PINK GIN / JAMACIA FAREWELL

The Tony Pike-trained ASHOKA is a handy three-year-old HELLO YOUMZAIN gelding who is banging on the door to win one. Came late for 2nd but no match for IRIDESCENT at Ellerslie, followed by another runner-up slot over 1200m on the Auckland course. Brave finishing 2nd at Ruakaka a year back and just needs to press home hard a bit earlier to get over the line first this time.

☆☆☆☆

Pike also has PINK GIN in here with the TIME TEST filly possessing the ability to feature. Held up the majority of the straight when last seen in March and that has been only run since Dec. Delivered a couple of decent two-year-old performances last autumn before winning on the Cambridge synthetic. Would probably appreciate a firm surface which is highly probable.

☆☆☆

Not the strongest field to round out the day up north, so prepared to go wide with JAMAICAN FAREWELL who is as rough as an pair of old boots but is prone to running the odd place on the Soft. Fresh up and only win was in that condition and being by SWEYNESSE the mare might be able to press on late as she did here last year. Could be worth including in multiples

☆☆

BEST BET: FLAMENCO

NEXT BEST: KHALEESI

BEST VALUE: PERFECTMANZ

LONGSHOT: TEXAS