HUNTERVILLE METRIC MILE G3

RACE 7 - 1600m

MANIFIQUE / OUR JUMALA / PRIVY GARDEN

Big fan of MANIFIQUE who holds some serious ability but tends to be a little erratic at times. Trained by Peter Didham at Awapuni, MANIFIQUE demonstrated exceptional performance, finishing second in the Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup after a strong late surge from the rear. At her absolute best she is brilliant and worth following, but may need this one. The SAVABEEL mare is out of the exceptional G1 racemare SHEZ SENSATIONAL and has always looked above average. While her performance can be somewhat unpredictable, she possesses the necessary skills to succeed and should comfortably secure a decent position before firing up late. Dangerous fresh if forward.

☆☆☆☆

OUR JUMALA hasn't really been firing of late on wet tracks, but the Robbie Patterson mare did strike victory in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes at Trentham in March and can foot it up against top performers in the Central Districts. That was a compelling demonstration of strength; however, the last few runs have been less dominant. Too good at the Naki over the mile before the Wellington win, then battled a bit in Group company at Whanganui and Waikato, although both efforts were reasonably even. Much better last start when 4th in the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton and rising in fitness again. Appears well placed here with some give in the track a bonus.

☆☆☆

PRIVY GARDEN wasn't much cop last start and tended to over race in the early stages, but the SO YOU THINK mare can pack a punch and has been a model of consistency from day one. Won over 1650m at Waverley in March and 1560m at Rotorua in May, then 2000m at New Plymouth. Fought hard for 3rd resuming over 1400m and came together with another runner nearing the line which didn't help. Destined to go much better 3rd-up on an improved track and that's probably the key here. Keep safe.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1200m

MERITABLE / SINBIN / MAROTIRI MOLLY

The seven-year-old SNITZEL entire MERITABLE returned with a top victory at Woodville over 1200m and he has always appeared a horse packed with ability. Very good in 2021, finishing 2nd in the Gr.2 Sarten at Te Rapa, then tried hard as runner-up to NOVERRE in the Gr.2 NZ 2000 Guineas. Shipped off to QLD, with a nice 2nd to FREEDOM RALLY at Eagle Farm, however two 2nd placings at Rosehill was the best he could muster. Can foot it easily with the locals and seems better suited now back on home soil since February. Based on that first-up effort, could be hard to roll here.

☆☆☆☆

SINBIN is a fantastic little sprinter, but she does find it hard to win. Jostled around when 3rd at Egmont over 1400m before a strong late bid for 2nd behind the talented CLEAT on a Heavy 8 at Woodville. Led from the 200m at New Plymouth and was far too good for them on an improved track. He hasn't yet won on a heavy surface, but his fitness is undeniable, and trainer, Robbie Patterson should have him in top condition for this race. The DERRYN mare will be hunting for better ground wide out, so if she gets a roll on then may be able to offer up a late burst that will pose a strong challenge.

☆☆☆

MAROTIRI MOLLY is a brilliant galloper on her day and the PER INCANTO mare looks ready to go here. Awesome last spring, winning at Egmont, Otaki and Trentham, before a 3rd behind LA CRIQUE in the Gr.2 Auckland Breeders at Pukekohe. Kept finding to win the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes, then finished a highly commendable 5th = in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile in Wellington. The seven-year-old mare has enjoyed a nice break across winter and she really is the class horse of the field. Can return with a powerful run, but possibly aiming for bigger assignments later on and won't be fully pressed.

☆☆

RATING 75 HANDICAP

RACE 3 - 2100m

MCKHAN / IDENTIKIT / DEADLY PONY

MCKHAN let up down when looking likely to run well in the Interprovincial at New Plymouth, but was going great guns in the Autumn and only needed to bring that form. The seven-year-old MONGOLIAN KHAN gelding obviously needed the run and was too worked up in the prelim and behind the gates to be effective. Much better 2nd up, running home well behind KNOCK OFF over 1600m at Wanganui and that's the horse we know. Trainer Ashley Meadows can can more out her gelding going up in trip as this distance should be more to his liking 3rd-up, especially with some give in the track.

☆☆☆☆

The Lisa Latta-trained IDENTIKIT loomed as a good chance after a fine victory at Whanganui, and after a slow beginning, the OCEAN PARK mare took over the lead and kicked on from the turn to win easily over 2040m. After some good synthetic form last spring, the mare resumed in April at the mile before running on from midfield to finish 2nd at Hawera over 2100m. Won again at Otaki and Latta has developed a nice staying type that enjoys it wet and is sure to strike ideal conditions on Saturday. Probably added some speed to those legs with recent and appears perfectly-placed to bounce back.

☆☆☆

DEADLY PONY isn't the worst here and has been running sone sound races of late. 2nd to SWINGIT OUR WAY over the mile at Otaki in July, then 3rd to PRIDE OF ASPEN attacking the same trip in August. Got closer on the turn to finish 3rd over 1600m at Hawera, then settled back and made hard work of it at Wanganui at the latest. Difficult to knock this mare from the Lisa Latta yard and she doesn't look too badly placed as s fit horse with Kelly Myers in the saddle, and she is riding well.

☆☆

RATING 75 HANDICAP

RACE 2 - 1400m

MA TE WA / FREDDIE TIME / WINGMAN

MA TE WA is a pretty talented TIME TEST gelding from the Robbie Patterson yard who scored an emphatic victory by four and and half lengths at Wanganui in May, before repeating the dose there by the same margin in June. Failed to pick up ZA SPIRIT who had flown the choop over 1200m at New Plymouth, then afforded a spell since July. Trialed up nicely over 1000m at Waverley and a bright return fresh up wouldn't surprise. Come a long way in a short time and can only improve with more racing. Off track seems his go so any give in the surface while the rain is still about is advantageous.

☆☆☆☆

Kevin Tyler is obviously searching for an appropriate race for his TIME TEST gelding FREDDIE TIME, who was quite prominent in some strong 3YO South Island events last season. Won on debut at Riverton on New Year's Day, before finishing close up in the Gore, Southland and Dunedin Guineas, with PIVOTAL TEN dominant. Battled away in the Wellington Guineas, but put in a solid challenge for 4th behind KIWI SKYHAWK in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic. Went back South to win on his home course of Riverton before a poor run at Ipswich, then a four month lay off. Decent 4th fresh up at Otaki and can foot it will some nice types. Should be a much stronger 4YO now.

☆☆☆

WINGMAN is a pretty tidy SWISS ACE gelding from the Roydon Bergerson stable who won on debut last October, then again at Trentham over 1400m. Lacked a finish in the Levin Classic before running 2nd to BALLON D'OR in Wellington. Slow and no chance in the Gr.2 Guineas at Trentham in March, then a decent 2nd over 1350m at Wanganui. Won a trial over 1000m in August and has probably trained on nicely since then. Has some reasonable ability when right and a certain amount of trust in the stable here. Probably will appreciate the run but good enough to get into the money as should gain a sweet tow into it.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1600m

LOVEHELEN / TRAINWRECK / EXIT LEFT

The Lisa Latta charge LOVEHELEN hadn't raced since Boxing Day 2024, but we've always had some time for this BELARDO mare who has shown some good ability. Drove through to win over 1600m at Otaki in June last year with a number of close up efforts and a weaving run for 3rd over 2100m at Woodville. Two trials to prepare, with the last 3rd placing over 1000m where she wasn't pressured much despite laying out slightly, but moved very smoothly and looked liked she had much more to give. Very good on her day and proved it fresh up when putting in a big finish to win over 1400m at Hawera. Bit flat in the next, but allow another chance 3rd-up. At big odds.

☆☆☆☆

The Whanganui trained TRAINWRECK raced keenly through the early stages but kicked to hold on over 1400m at Trentham in May. Found the going a bit tougher in BM75 returning to Wellington over 1300m, then ran a gallant 2nd to BELLE'S FATE there on a deep track. Failed to press on in the next three and really needs to show more. The FABULOUS gelding was ultra consistent throughout 2024 and excelled on Heavy tracks, although can be vulnerable late as a horse that loves to run up on the pace. Well worth pursuing here as a galloper who will hit the ground running and try to press on from the turn.

☆☆☆

EXIT LEFT, trained in Hastings, appears to be a promising stayer in the making, having demonstrated consistent performance in his initial four races. Trailed out and won nicely on debut at Woodville over 1340m, before being inconvenienced at Rotorua after shifting inwards onto poor ground. Bounced back when challenging hard running 2nd to LA DULCIN'EE over 1340m at Whanganui, then a solid 3rd over the same distance there. The TURN ME LOOSE gelding is out of the dam, ABEAUTIFULRED; a handy winter miler who finished her career in Australia. Will need to keep improving, but a progressive type who will appreciate conditions.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 1200m

ZIGGY STARDUST / STONE THE CROWS / PAPA SURF

Plenty to like about this four-year-old TURN ME LOOSE mare ZIGGY STARDUST who ran in 2YO stakes grade, finishing 2nd in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton with a big late finish. Resumed in September with a third placing over 1000m at Taupo and the Tony Pike stable have handled this horse very slowly within the last 12 months, landing her maiden victory at Te Rapa in May after settling handy over 1200m. Finished 2nd stepping up to 1400m on the course and showed the sane level of determination. Not so prominent in BM65 in June before a decent spell. By all accounts his trackwork has been first rate and a strong front-running performance wouldn't surprise.

☆☆☆☆

STONE THE CROWS in an interesting character who probably learnt plenty in her three-year-old campaign, with some good, and not so good results. The CHARM SPIRIT mare handled by JJ Rayner kept giving to win over 1200m at Otaki on debut, then didn't seem to appreciate the rise to 1400m. Up there on the pace early at Trentham before weakening out, and didn't resume until August where the mare chased hard but was no match for BELLA TIMING. Crowded and checked at the 200m last time out, so willing to forgive and look for a speedy effort 3rd up as a much fitter horse.

☆☆☆

PAPA SURF knocked around the Awapuni synthetic a couple of times over winter with mixed results, and although the DALGHAR gelding can be totally unpredictable at best, he has shown some strong sprinting ability occasionally and just needs to recapture some of that old magic. Jumping on early after a short let-up may be a wise move, as the six-year-old gelding did run 2nd to MAROTIRI MOLLY in an 800m jumpout at Waverley recently and should offer a bit of toe while in a fresh state. Will need to kick out of the gates and sit in a decent possie to be a placegetter.

☆☆

BEST BET: MA TE WA

NEXT BEST: ZIGGY STARDUST

BEST VALUE: MANIFIQUE

WILDCARD: LOVEHELEN