METRIC MILE G3
RACE 7 - 1600m

HI YO SASS BOMB / ONE BOLD CAT / MANZOR BLUE

HI YO SASS BOMB did nothing first up over the shorter trip but came out last spring following a flat first up effort to win the Gr.3 Breeders at Hawera followed by a game effort to claim the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham, and this horse did run 2nd to SNAZZYTAVI in a Livamol, so has some genuine class about her. The COMPLACENT mare trained by Kim Reid won't mind some moisture about and does boast a couple of wins at the track/trip. Fancy these odds 2nd-up.

☆☆☆☆

You cannot deny the class of ONE BOLD CAT who has drawn wide here with Grylls aboard, but that may be a blessing based on his racing style. The gelding may appreciate these conditions 2nd-up and he was never comfortable at New Plymouth resuming. Won the Arrowfield a couple of years back but failed to come on in subsequent Group 1 contests on firm ground. Did win the Marton Cup last prep and 3rd in the Trantham Stakes, so still has a bit to give. Will be running on late.

☆☆☆

Lisa Latta would love nothing more than to get MAZOR BLUE to the Melbourne Cup in November and based on her first up effort at Hastings, the ALMANZOR mare in back in excellent order. Won the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) at massive odds in January, then 2nd in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup after some in indifferent form, and we always thought the ability was there, it just took two miles to bring it out. This prep could be the making of the mare with the 1600m a nice challenge now, but drier is better.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP
RACE 8 - 1400m

THORAX / WINGMAN / GUZZLER

THORAX showed promise in his return, securing a third-place finish on a Heavy track at New Plymouth following a solid trial victory; should track conditions improve, we anticipate a peak performance from this lightly raced RIBCHESTER gelding. Defeated a couple of good ones in WYWORRY and PLOY on debut at New Plymouth last Oct, then put paid to CLASSY BRAHMA at Trentham. Chased home MISS JONES in the New Year but found the Karapiro Classic a big jump in class. Jumpout trial.was good, so worth sticking with.

☆☆☆☆

Bit of time for this SWISS ACE gelding WINGMAN, who can be fully unpredictable but ran some tidy races last prep, with the slow starts often proving detrimental. Ran a couple of nice races as a three-year-old, even defeating LEICA LUCY over 1400m at Trentham and ATMOSPHERIC on debut. Finished best from third last to get past MONOLOGUE over this trip at Otaki in February and did a bit early three-wide in his only trial and that hard run will possibly bring him on.

☆☆☆

The ALMANZOR gelding GUZZLER has looked very sharp this preparation but began awkwardly losing ground at Ellerslie last start and failed to make any impact. Strong in winning over 1400m at Waverley before a super effort to defeat MERCY over 1200m travelling down to Riccarton. Couldn't get clear on day 2 before a month let-up, however back against CD competitors we could see a much stronger performance, and he is a powerful horse down the stretch.

☆☆

THREE-YEAR-OLD SW&P
RACE 2 - 1000m

RONALDO / MIDNIGHT DART / VAHVAY

The grey colt RONALDO from the Patterson Barn experienced a light two-year-old campaign but proved an up-tempo type with speed to burn. Win his first two trials (one by 10 lengths) before barely defeating EXCITE on debut at New Plymouth. Led and taken in but too strong at Wanganui in March, however, raced three wide without cover throughout in the Gr.1 Sires' Produce (1400m) and put away for the winter. One soft jumpout on Tuesday, so expect a bold 1000m performance first up ripping out of the gates.

☆☆☆☆

It might only have one win, but the syndicates involved with MIDNIGHT DART will be hoping for a better performance here after settling last from a wide gate in the Wanganui Guineas and doing little. Great effort for 2nd to BACK OF THE BUS in the Ryder at Otaki the run prior and the DERRYN gelding did have difficulty finding clear racing room. Jumps away well then could be right in this with two extra runs over the Patterson horse RONALDO.

☆☆☆

Yulong bred this TAGALOA filly VAHVAY who is yet to win one in only three starts, but she chased home LASSIFIED at Tauherenikau on debut and was only a head away, before fighting hard for 3rd behind LARA ANTIPOVA in the Gr.2 Wakefield (1100m) at Trentham. VAHVAY had no luck in the Gr.1 Sires' Produce but has trialed up very well in preparation for her 3YO campaign.

☆☆

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