FIELDING CUP

RACE 7 - 2100m

WHO KNOWS / BATTLE SECRET / DANJURO

The Niall Quinn trained WHO KNOWS has been kicking it out of the park and may be hard to stop once again, however, any moisture around would be a nice bonus. Exposed wet track form thus far, but been doing it very well. The six-year-old REDWOOD gelding won the Bulls Country Cup in May, then finished 2nd to an in form MCKHAN at Wanganui. Won there easily in the next on Heavy 10, then afforded a spell. Resumed at Riccarton with a big finish when 2nd to CHASE in the Gr.3 Winter Cup, then could only manage a 4th stepping up to 1800m there a week later. Resumed with a fine win in the Egmont Cup a month back and trialled up well since.

☆☆☆☆

BATTLE SECRET doesn't look too badly placed here with the services of Kelly Myers. Being by BATTLE PAINT from a VIKING RULER mare, you would expect a pretty hardy, but genuine type, and thats exactly what you get with this gelding. Won over the mile at Woodville in August 2024, then Hawera and Wanganui stepping up in trip. Beat home MEHZEBEEN in the Waverley Cup after finishing 2nd in the Egmont Cup then off the scene for ten months. Fought well in the two resuming runs, but can really shine going up to a more suitable staying distance. These odds are excellent third up and can win.

☆☆☆

DANJURO is definitely an in-and-out type, however, gets in well at the weights and likely to score a soft trip before opening up. The SAXON WARRIOR gelding trained by the Didham's put in a well-timed run to win at Wanganui in January, then took out the Wairarapa Cup over 2050m. Ran on resuming in September, before kicking hard to win over 2100m at Otaki. Came up a bit flat in the Waverley Cup, but this is his distance and record on the track is sound. Wouldn't shock if he bobbed up and ran another big race if able to establish some clear air late.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 1400m

MAROTIRI MOLLY / BEDTIME STORY / THE UNDERBELLY

The Foxton based MAROTIRI MOLLY should be very close to showing her best, especially if able to get back on a firm deck. The PER INCANTO mare was in stunning form this time last year, winning at Egmont, Otaki and Wellington in succession, before a hard fought 3rd place in the Gr.2 Breeders Stakes at Pukekohe behind LA CRIQUE. Kept finding to claim victory in the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes, then wound up 5th= in the Thorndon Mile at Trentham. Lightly raced this year, although a class horse and better them most of these here despite the hefty weight. Won't be shying away from her this time in.

☆☆☆☆

BEDTIME STORY has established a fine race record for the Lowry/Zydenbos team and can run a top race 2nd-up. Finished second at Wairarapa and Trentham over the summer before winning at Otaki over 1400m. 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. Should strip much fitter so looks extremely hard to hold out.

☆☆☆

The Robbie Patterson stable present THE UNDERBELLY back at the races and, although not a noted fresh up performer, he has won 7 from 19. THE BOLD ONE gelding won four-in-a-row in the middle of last season at Wanganui, Otaki, Trentham and two at Wanganui, then finished 2nd in the NZ St Leger (2600m) behind TESTIFY ME. Came back pretty flat last season and Patterson didn't press him past the point of excess when lacking some dash. Hasn't been seen since New Year's Day but trialed up two weeks ago and will take plenty out of this run.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE - 1600m

STEAL MY THUNDER / SHEAF / SHEEZ DOMINANT

The grey DERRYN mare STEAL MY THUNDER is a crack horse at the mile and has to be considered among a fairly average lot. The well-related mare settled back at New Plymouth before improving wider and was just too good for them over 1600m. Didn't see the 2100m out on a Heavy Hawera track, then much better when 3rd coming back in trip at Waverley. Yet to race on this course, but connections will be hoping for a firm surface to bring out the best in her.

☆☆☆☆

SHEAF is another likely to appreciate a Good 4 track and 2nd-up can run a much improved race after that first up blowout. The EMINENT mare only had two races early in the year when 2nd down at Kumara on the West Coast circuit, then flopped badly in the Remutaka Classic. Threw off the jockey in the birdcage and crowded early when coming back a week ago, and will relish getting up to the mile on a course that should suit. Chance to return to her best but may need this one as well. Inside gate, light weight and these odds are tempting.

☆☆☆

Fraser Auret's mare, SHEEZ DOMINANT, secured a victory on the Awapuni synthetic track in her previous race, and it is certainly plausible that she could perform well again on a firm track. Brave when running 2nd on the synthetic prior, but was far too good over the 1700m before a strong trial over 1200m two weeks ago. She comes across as an unpredictable type but one who can kick out a top performance when on top of her game. 2kg claim but may need some luck to be winning. Very clever trainer though

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1300m

THOOZA / PROCUL BOY / MR JAY EIGHT

The ALMAZOR mare THOOZA is a good talent who settled 2nd resuming over 1100m at Wairapara and held on close until the end. Won on debut at Te Rapa last year before resuming on New Year's Eve with another victory over 1200m at New Plymouth. Travelled at Auckland and ran an admirable 3rd to SOUGHT AFTER and ARDALIO, and they did get away from her in the end. Forced over extra ground when weakening returning to Ellerslie for the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy before a decent spell. Ok in two runs in the Autumn, before resuming with a fine effort for 2nd over 1100m at Te Rapa. Ready for this and should be winning.

☆☆☆☆☆

PROCUL BOY smashed it last prep and comes back a confident animal with loads to offer. The PROISIR gelding trained by Gail Temperton at Foxton won at Waverley in March, then suffered some misfortune when unlucky at Wellington. Big finish to win over 1200m at Hawera in May, then franked that form with another massive effort on a Heavy 10 at Wanganui. Has won one fresh up and a lone trial to prepare. Drawn to get into it if forward enough and certainly has the ability to play a role coming back.

☆☆☆

MR JAY EIGHT will arrive in a pretty fresh state after resuming just over a month ago having not raced for nine months and it showed. Was in good form earlier in his career, even running 3rd in Gr.2 Auckland Guineas behind DARK DESTROYER and ran in the Railway which IMPERATRIZ won. Has struggled to recapture form, although three good trials suggest he could be competitive in this grade leading into summer. One to keep an eye on if the PER INCANTO gelding can find some improvement coming out of this race.

☆☆

BEST BET: THOOZA

NEXT BEST: MAROTIRI MOLLY

BEST VALUE: BATTLE SECRET

WILDCARD: SHEEZ DOMINANT