WHANGAREI GOLD CUP (STAYERS FINAL)

RACE 8 - 2100m OPEN

MAJOR MAJOR / BOSCH / I'M LULU

The way in which MAJOR MAJOR burst away to win in fine style at Ellerslie last start, it would be difficult to bet against the PINS gelding here. Surprisingly turned it all around when winning on a Heavy 10 over 1600m at Pukekohe in April before a harder run on a very heavy New Plymouth track. The team Alexander trained gelding won't mind going North over the Brynderwyns to Ruakaka where the Surf meets the Turf, and a firmer track would be ideal for his tidy sit and sprint style. Will be tough to roll here.

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The Ruakaka track specialist BOSCH has been building fitness this time in without claiming any prizemoney or making many friends. The PENTIRE gelding battled away at Ellerslie in three runs before improving from midfield to work home well behind MAJOR MAJOR at his latest. Finished 3rd, then 2nd on his home course over 2100 last year, before winning two-in-a-row on the sand-based circuit while running handy up on the pace. Probably prefers the familiarity of local surroundings and sure to be much happier starting here. Could surprise with a big run.

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The BELARDO mare I'M LULU might not be as robust as a few of these here, but she is a good type on her day who goes very well at Ruakaka. Slow to begin but ran on well behind PACIFICO over the mile at Te Aroha last start and is the big improver. Main issue is jumping away awkwardly and drifting back in races before picking up wider on the turn and getting home much too late. Regardless, the mare goes up 500m in trip and a Soft track on her favoured course should be a major boost. One at a price worth inspecting.

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SPRINTERS CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

RACE 7 - 1200m OPEN

IMPREVU / STERLING EXPRESS / FONTEYN

Jannelle Daley just loves her horse IMPREVU, and based on the last couple of runs, we could see a winning effort here. Finished 2nd to the slick BABYLON BERLIN in the Legacy Lodge back in November, then resumed in January with a brilliant 2nd to KONASANA in the Gr.2 Westbury Stud (1400m) on Karaka Millions night, just missing the bob. Challenged and fought hard behind STERLING EXPRESS at Ellerslie, then ran a tidy 3rd behind MIDNIGHT SCANDAL sticking to the same trip last start. This track should suit the mares style and she does look likely to be highly competitive.

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The Mark Brosnan-trained STERLING EXPRESS flopped badly at Ellerslie last start and a post race vet check showed up no obvious abnormalities. That track played awkwardly for some runners on the day, and his prior form was first class. The SHAMEXPRESS gelding won in Auckland over 1200m in April, then 1400m in May with strong finishes which indicates there was nothing wrong with his fitness or ability. Can make hard work of it by running too keenly, although look for the fine sprinter to bounce back here.

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The SWISS ACE mare FONTEYN was much improved last start when finishing 3rd behind the impressive TWAIN after racing three-wide without cover throughout. Weakened badly on the Heavy 10 at Rotorua which can be tough, and also raced three wide when fresh up at Te Rapa in April. Despite the difficulties she does go well at Ruakaka, finishing 2nd to SHAMUS in the Waipu Cup (1400m) 12 months ago, then setting the terms and winning stylishly in August. Did beat home PEARL OF ALCASE and EL VENCEDOR up here in 2023, and there's no doubt she has a touch of class about her when right. 2kg claim a looks a handy bonus.

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PROGRESSIVE FINAL

RACE 9 - 1600m SP

SUPER FLY / URLAR / ARABELLA

Some risk with SUPER FLY on this track, but he should be able pick up quickly on a better surface and you only have to go back to his Ellerslie win to realise this horse is quite gifted. The GHIBELLINES mare was back to the turn over 1400m before charging down the outside with a slick, blistering finish. Much tougher returning there with the front-running bias and willing to forgive that effort. With some clear space on an improved surface we could see a turnaround in fortunes. Has plenty of potential and upside.

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No reason to underestimate the Pike trained URLAR who put in a much improved performance for 2nd place over the mile at Ellerslie last start despite being held up in the straight. The stable did rate the four-year-old SHALAA mare after running on well in previous runs, and she did respond well to win over 1400m at Matamata in April. Should be at absolute peak sticking to the mile and can feature by running home late once again. Jumps well then this Ruakaka circuit could really suit with Sam Collett aboard.

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The BELARDO mare ARABELLA showed some potential when debuting last winter, but tended to do a few things wrong in the running. Wasn'tfar off a few reasonable types before closing hard to win over 1400m on a Good 4 in September. Restrained and raced greenly fresh up at Ellerslie in April, before getting too far back over 1300m here. Better suited up in trip on a firmer surface, and the bonus will be home track advantage. Could just be the type to upset here with two runs under the belt and the ability to wind up hard.

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3YO CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

RACE 6 - 1600m SW&P

MULAN ARDECHE / ALTARI / LEVAKIA

The Marsh trained 2yo filly MULAN ARDECHE looks a super progressive type by the fine sire, DUNDEEL. Her mother ARDECHE (Dehere) was lightly raced as a two and three-year-old and wasn't too shabby in Sydney. Her dam DIAMOND LIKE (Danehill) was a high quality galloper out of the brilliant young racemare TRISTALOVE (Sir Tristram). MULAN ARDECHE was solid in her first prep before resuming with a big win on the Cambridge synthetic over 1300m last start. Could be a real powerhouse this time, and well worth backing now that she's more seasoned.

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The Te Akau runner ALTARI is a developing SAVABEEL gelding who can offer a strong showing here over the mile. Chased hard when third behind KITTY FLASH in the spring, then wilted the last bit over 1400m at Ellerslie. Ran on well after being hampered early over 1200m at Tauranga, then severely checked out of it when racing three wide at Ellerslie over 1500m. His dam BOHEMIAN LILY (O'Reilly) was a nice stayer who finished 3rd in the Gr.2 Herbert Power and Moonee Valley Cup and won two Stakes races in QLD. ALTARI should excel at this trip and could be the one to show up on the scene very late. Keep safe.

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The Kelso's trained filly LEVAKIA now has a few runs under the belt and looked very good in the spring. Finished 2nd on debut at Taupo, then 2nd at Matamata and 3rd at Te Rapa. Won the next over 1400m with a weaving finish at Pukekohe before a spell. Crowded and held up in the two resuming runs, but much better then that and can offer a much improved run with some room to move. The PROISIR filly is out of a an unraced RIP VAN WINKLE mare and should be a sturdy type well-suited up the the mile. Could threaten if gets on with it turning in.

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2YO CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

RACE - 1200m SW&P

BOOMBOX / ASHOKA / MISS MOET ALL

The two-year-old SPIRIT OF BOOM gelding BOOMBOX was handy to the turn over 1200m at Ellerslie last start before taking it to them and racing away. The fleet footed juvenile lived up to his sires characteristics by using his lightning speed to get on the pace early, and expect similar riding tactics here. His dam VIADUCTRESS was a tidy sprinter up in Queensland with her sire SHARKBITE (Redoute's Choice) a stakes winning stallion with some toe. Plenty of speed and power in this pedigree and may be difficult to hold out.

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The other Tony Pike runner, ASHOKA was very good on debut, running second in behind stablemate BOOMBOX and the track bias probably didn't help his cause much. Drawn to get a nice run from the ace with Jasmine Fawcett in the saddle and can only improve off the first up effort. The HELLO YOUMZAIN gelding is out of the dam LISMORE DIAMOND (O'Reilly), who is out of the Darci Brahma mare, Waterford who ran 2nd in the 2014 Gr.1 Railway and Gr.1 NZ 1000 Guineas. A natural 2yo, ASHOKA could be more prominent this time and she does look pretty smart.

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Trainer Stephen Marsh has his own stunning two-year-old in MISS MOET ALL who looks a major threat to the Pike pair. The RUSSIAN REVOLUTION filly, with a strong US pedigree, fought well behind talented stablemate, TALE OF THE GYPSY over 1000m on debut at Te Aroha in January, before a much tougher run when 3rd at Matamata. Settled on the pace and was brave to the line when winning fresh up over 970m on the synthetic and she seems to have grown in size and confidence. Hard to say how much that last bit over 1200m will really test, but a good 3yo in the making all the same.

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BENCHMARK 65 HCP

RACE 5 - 1200m

PART TIME LOVER / VIENI SU / AFTER MATCH

The SWISS ACE mare PART TIME LOVER from the Cody Cole stable is ready to win after two fighting efforts at Ellerslie. Raced keenly but challenged hard when 3rd there over 1200m before being hampered on the turn and forced wider. Still finished a credible 2nd behind BENEATH THE STARS and set to go one better on Saturday. Ace gate, Sam Collett aboard, appears a solid winter bet and should be cruising up to them with room to move. Looks hard to hold out here.

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The PER INCANTO filly VIENI SU was very strong when winning her maiden over 1200m at Ellerslie last start, and it may be prudent to include her in all bets. Her trial form has been better than raceday form, and the filly did win a 1050m trial up here in April. Never really in the fight on Heavy tracks at Te Rapa and Matamata, therefore better footing seems to be her thing and trainer Barbara Kennedy has likely bought her North seeking a firmer surface. Nice draw, 1kg claim and could be one to watch our for.

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AFTER MATCH does appear a nice ZOUSTAR colt and it's best to reference his two wins in Australia. A half-brother to dual Group I winner King’s Legacy, this $410,000 two year-old colt was originally with Peter Snowden, winning at Hawkesbury in the colours of Yulong easing down, then again over 1200m at Kembla Grange. Transfered to the stables of Ben & Ryan Foote in March and finished 4th at Ellerslie over 1200m in his NZ debut. Likely to appreciate a Good track and that could make the difference. Draw not ideal and neither is the weight, but be very wary of this dual winner from across rhe Tasman. Looms as a danger.

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RUAKAKA MAIDEN 2&3YOS

RACE 1 - 1200m

DURRANI / STARLIT EXPRESS / DARK MOVES

Probably the best betting race of the day and we don't mind the first-starter DURRANI from the Shaun & Emma Clotworthy stable. The SWISS ACE filly is out of an unraced ALL TOO HARD mare in AFGHANISTAN and she has won a 850m trial at Waipa on a Heavy 10 a month ago. Seemed to appear quite professional to the eye and never under any pressure, so the 1200m on a stable surface looks ideal. Natural progression suggests the filly may go very well. Drawn perfectly, so at these odds could be a super tidy bet.

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The Tony Pike first starter STARLIT EXPRESS is an appealing SHAMEXPRESS filly out of a Savabeel mare in SAVABEEL STAR who is by of the Danehill mare, Astradane. The dam only ever won once in 35 starts, but finished 2nd eleven times and 3rd six times. STARLIT EXPRESS trialled up nicely, finishing 2nd at Waipa, then Ellerslie on June 9 over 1100, so she looks good to go. Inside gate, top barn and Sam Collett a top acquisition. Will potentially shorten in the market.

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DARK MOVES is a three-year-old PROISIR gelding out of the mare, MONTRER DAME, who is by High Chaparral out of the Redoute's Choice mare, Michaux. DAVE MOVES has been six times to the trials since May 2024, and seemed to go better in testing conditions with a 2nd at Avondale on Tuesday a tidy effort. That last one could be the key for a horse trained up here as he should be well grounded for a forward debut. Big odds but could run TOP4 if jumps away cleanly.

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BEST BET: MAJOR MAJOR

NEXT BEST: PART TIME LOVER

BEST VALUE: SUPER FLY

LONGSHOT: DURRANI