WHYTE HANDICAP

RACE 9 - 1600m OPEN

BRADMAN / BOZO / CHASE

Roydon Bergerson would love to see his wonderful winter star BRADMAN win on Saturday, and the seven-year-old gelding has been oh so close this campaign without a single victory. Regardless, the PINS mare has come up well and was narrowly beaten when 2nd to ENRICO in the Masterton Cup (1400m) here at Trentham in May. Settled on the pace when 3rd in the WFA Training Stakes (1600m) at Whanganui before a tidy 2nd to BELLE’S BEAU last start on a Heavy 10 there. Likely to look a million bucks and at the peak of his powers. Will have a big weight, however can handle it and just needs a soft steer to come home generously out wide.

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BOZO is a strange beast who can be right on it as shown in his last two, or a little lacklustre if the mood doesn't strike him. Was too powerful for them over the mile in November, then only plugged resuming in April. Led and kept going hard with something in reserve when defeating PACIFICO over 1560m at Rotorua in May, then put in a great effort to win at Trentham over 1600m last start. The SATONO ALADDIN gelding trialled on Tuesday to keep the fitness levels high, and that may have cleaned him up perfectly for this. Can make it a hat-trick as he loves it Heavy and has won a few in the Hutt.

☆☆☆

CHASE is a solid winter galloper who should be about to show his best. Found the two Listed events, the ANZAC Mile and Rangatiki Gold Cup a bit tough, but seemed to go much better in the Listed Training Stakes at Whanganui last start. The eight-year-old ZED gelding has taken a while to get going this prep, however, he won 12 months ago over the mile at Otaki and finished 2nd in the Gr.3 Metric Mile at Whanganui. Overall a fairly consistent type and capable of getting into the money on a Heavy track. Wetter the better.

☆☆

NORTH ISLAND CHALLENGE STAKES

RACE 7 - 1200m OPEN

FARAVELLO / SINBIN / PRIORESS

The BELARDO gelding FARAVELLO is only a couple of runs back from a spell, however, both runs have shown considerable promise. Won here just on 12 months ago over 1000m and backed that up by winning at Otaki over 1200m. Led up nicely in both runs and held on well searching for better ground. Handy and fought hard to the line when 2nd at Whanganui over 1200m in May, then weakened into fifth on a Heavy 10 there. Roydon Bergerson should have the gelding in fine shape and he will be right on the speed leaving the dog leg. Can tread through the deep stuff well and appears a strong winning chance.

☆☆☆☆

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 last start 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 down the middle or even wide out, so if she gets a roll on then may be able to offer up a strong late burst.

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PRIORESS could be one to be wary off after a nice 2nd place behind PROCUL BOY at Whanganui last start. Didn't score the easiest of runs and laid out in the straight which showcased some promise moving forward despite a flawed execution. Finished third in last year's Challenge Stakes after encountering some interference; however, the horse showed great determination on a track that should be comparable to Saturday's. Well worth including as she could be the one to come home best in conditions that will suit the mare down to the ground.

☆☆

WELLINGTON STEEPLECHASE

RACE 6 - 4900m

JESKO / THE COSSACK / AFTERALLTHISTIME

JESKO demonstrated respectable staying power on the flat in the Central Districts; however, his aptitude has significantly improved since transitioning to jump racing. Handy and jumped proficiently when winning a 3800m steeplechase at Whanganui ridden by trainer Shaun Fannin, before bounding away to win the Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m) at Trentham in fine style, laying down his credentials for the Wellington feature. Despite his size, the ATLANTE gelding is a tidy chaser that knows how to hit the ground running and will be set for a tough contest. Only needs to leap with some accuracy to be winning this and The Frac Club will be cheering their horse home with gusto on Saturday. Here's hoping the champagne corks are popping for the team.

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The Wellington Steeplechase used to be 5500m and includes the famous figure 8 inner track, but back to 4900m may suit THE COSSACK who is only one run back from a break. The veteran chaser jumped the last one awkwardly and dislodged the rider in the Waikato Steeplechase (3800m) which was unfortunate as he was going ok. Won that race in 2024 as well as the Pakuranga Hunt (4900m) and 3rd in the Great Northern (6500m), so he is a champion jumper when on his game. Won this major race last year and you cannot underestimate the Nelson/McDougal team to get him up for this. But he is an 11yo now and the legs aren't getting any younger. Will probably be thereabouts on the turn.

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The Kevin Myers trained jumper AFTERALLTHISTIME came out and won the Waikato Steeplechase last start after some solid lead-up form and will surely be in good nick for this. Jumped reasonably well last winter, winning at Waikato over 3900m in September before a spell. Was slow away in his first three runs back, building up steam late without threatening. 11 lengths off JESKO here in the Manawatu Steeplechase which suggests this course may not suit his style so much. Regardless, the DEEP FIELD gelding will he super fit and could be right in this coming out of a champion jumps stable.

☆☆

WELLINGTON HURDLE

RACE 4 - 3200m

VERRY FLASH / BILLY BOY / NEDWIN

The wonderful hurdler VERRY FLASH is as tough as old boots and should be in peak condition to face this trip. The hardy ZED gelding jumped nicely to win over 3000m at Whanganui in May, then gave a good chase behind BILLY BOY over 2500m here at Wellington in challenging conditions. Hit the last fence hard and dislodged a panel but kept fighting to the line in fine style. Chased home DICTATION over 3200m at Te Rapa last start which will have him in prime physical condition for this hurdle assignment. A 10-year-old with 81 starts, VERRY FLASH demonstrates remarkable resilience and competitive spirit, suggesting continued success in a battle of the fittest.

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BILLY BOY was backed in heavily last start at Trentham and duly delivered for punters with a fine display of jumping over 2500m in the Manawatu Hurdles. VERRY FLASH was coming hard near the end and the only question mark may be the extra distance and whether the SO YOU THINK gelding can see out a grueling two miles on a seriously deep track. Nevertheless, BILLY BOY is a progressive hurdler with some serious ability from the Jo Rathbone stable who can only improve with time and experience. His recent performance is compelling, yet this undertaking presents a significantly greater challenge.

☆☆☆

The Nelson/McDougal hurdler NEDWIN really is the one to watch out for here after two nice jumping displays in the Waikato. Trailed out to win this race last year after taking over at the 50m mark, but struggled a bit after that. Improved throughout to win a 3900m steeplechase at Te Rapa in May, before losing ground and a plate after misjudging a jump near the 600m in the Waikato Steeplechase. Comes back to the smaller fences and a former Great Northern Hurdle winner, so it's hard to criticize his class over the sticks. Can run them which is the main concern, but if he leaps well and finds his range early, then a major threat.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HCP

RACE 8 - 1400m

TRAINWRECK / SOTIRIO / BELLES FATE

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, although he could progress on from that effort and achieve a bounce back performance. The FABULOUS gelding was ultra consistent throughout 2024 and excelled on Heavy tracks. Well worth pursuing here as a galloper likely to hit the ground running and try to press on from the turn.

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SOTIRIO won extremely well last start when causing an upset over 1300m at Trentham, and the WROTE gelding could easily repeat here. Just got up over 1200m on a Heavy 10 in May on the same course and he seems to thrive in the wide open spaces of the Wellington track with conditions to suit. The Matt Eales trained galloper seems to love this circuit and he grows another leg in the wet. Sure to be in rock hard shape and poised to give this a serious crack. Tuesday's 1000m jumpout resulted in a third-place finish, indicating a strong sprint capacity, even under demanding conditions.

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The IFFRAAJ mare BELLES FATE from the Robbie Patterson stable is an interesting one here, and although unplaced in a 1000m trial on Tuesday, her run before for 2nd on a Heavy 10 at Taranaki was very tidy. Seems able and versatile enough to handle various conditions as proven with wins over 1400m at Woodville and on Premier Day at Hastings. Patterson looks to have her back in fantastic condition and probably chucked in the trial run to sharpen her turn-of-foot, which may be a proactive move on a challenging Trentham track.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HCP

RACE 10 - 1600m

SANDY LANE / FREEBELLE / LADY MOANA

Waverley trainer Craig Lupton brings the ZED mare SANDY LANE back to Wellington and she should be close to a massive run 3rd-up. Won well at New Plymouth over 12 months ago, then not seen until a tidy 5th at Trentham running on from midfield. Offered up a similar effort over 1400m two weeks ago, but the mare has shown glimpses of ability and some faith needs to be put in the stable. Not an easy task, although it would be no a surprise to see her bursting through late in the piece. May be walking by R10.

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FREEBELLE, a lightly raced filly from the Robbie Patterson yard, appears to be a very promising and well-mannered talent who performed admirably over the mile course here at Trentham in her debut race last December. Ran on late from midfield resuming ovet 1400m at New Plymouth, and the BELARDO mare handled the Heavy track with some maturity. Turned up two weeks ago to win over 1600m at the Naki and she has likely progressed on well. Trialled on Tuesday and sure to be in hard condition to face the deep track here. Well-placed as a genuine winter galloper.

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If you're looking for one who should be running on strongly in battling conditions, then LADY MOANA could be one to follow. The OCEAN PARK mare unwound far too late over 1400m at Woodville in April, then was slow away before running on out wide at New Plymouth, but was unable to make up the lost ground. Handy and fought hard on the Awapuni synthetic over 1700m last start which should set her up nicely attacking the mile for the first time since November. Enjoys it wet and will need to step it up, but certainly tough enough on her day. Keep an eye out for a long, slow wind-up from way out as it will be a hard slog.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HCP

RACE 5 - 2200m

AUTUMN BEAUTY / LEPREKHAN / KEEN ON BUBBLES

AUTUMN BEAUTY, a lightly raced gelding from the Casey Myers stable, is a competitive contender in this field. While still a maiden, his three second-place finishes, including a strong late charge over a mile at Trentham on a Heavy 10 track in his debut, demonstrate his potential. Resumed with a 5th placing here in May before being urged on wider over 2000m at New Plymouth, and finished off with a solid 2nd last Saturday over 2200m at Otaki. Will handle the track, suitably fit and appears up for this with Scotty McNab on.

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LEPREKHAN hit the lead rounding the turn and kept tracking along hard to win impressively last start over 2040m at Whanganui. Had the blinkers on for the first time which no doubt aided the MONGOLIAN KHAN mare, although she does seem to have a thousand quirks that hinders her progress. The Niall Quinn trained mare is in fact very well bred with PINS and O'REILLY in the pedigree and if she can keep her shit together then could end up being be a consistent galloper. Certainly should be running on hard.

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After a poor run over the mile here in May, KEEN ON BUBBLES turned the corner to win over 2000m at New Plymouth last start in Heavy conditions that seemed to suit the mare well. Two of her three runs here at Trentham have been very positive and John Wheeler looks to have the KEANO mare in fine fettle leading into this. Had plenty in hand after leading to the turn that last run and only has to manage this weight from a fair draw to be in the picture. Will be a super slow time and likely to be spread out like Brown's cows in this shonky amateur riders race.

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BEST BET: JESKO

NEXT BEST: FARAVELLO

BEST VALUE: PRIORESS

WILDCARD: TRAINWRECK