WELLINGTON CUP G3

RACE 9 - 3200m

ROSSO / SANTA CATALINA / TRAV / MANZOR BLUE

Following several dominant victories in staying races since arriving in New Zealand, the Pitman's trek ROSSO north once again following the path to their main objective - the 2026 Wellington Cup. Michael Pitman had been looking overseas for a nice horse to bring south and paid $47,000 online on behalf of connections, which seems a bargain now. The Irish-bred son of CAMELOT is out of a FASTNET ROCK mare and was sound in the UK before running 2nd over 2450m at Geelong and 4th over 2400m at Sandown. Won at Riccarton in his NZ debut, then toweled them up at Timaru before a powerful performance in the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) last start. Couple of dud runs in there, but a big, powerful brute of a horse that the father and son team will have tuned to the max and looks the one to thrive best up to the two miles.

☆☆☆☆☆

SANTA CATALINA demonstrated a strong performance, securing second place behind BOXMOSS over 2400m at Ellerslie, and subsequently achieved a decisive victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) against a competitive field of stayers, indicating the PUCCUNI mare excels the further she goes. Trainers Peter and Shaun McKay are renowned for their expertise in conditioning stayers, and it it appears the two miles will suit going up in trip after a 5th in the Trentham Stakes at the latest. The mare is bred by the hardy sire RHYTHM, which will further enhance her resilience, and she only requires a favourable trailing position to achieve a strong finish. Don't underestimate the McKay's, who won the Cup with WOLFGANG in 2025 and are looking for a repeat.

☆☆☆

Raymond Connors has been working away on TRAV in an attempt to get the six-year-old ALMANZOR gelding back to his best staying form, and it has been a difficult task. At his most lethal, the experienced stayer is a dynamic endurance competitior capable of footing over the two miles and a big run here is possible up to his favoured distance. Won the Auckland Cup last March with a powerful performance after running on late for 4th in the 2025 Wellington Cup. Taken to Melbourne aiming for a crack at the Cup, but it all came undone in the Bart Cummings and MV Cup. Ran on late here last start after a slow beginning, and really wants firm footing to shine. Masa on, will be fit and don't dismiss at the weights and up to the 3200m.

☆☆

Wild throw at the stumps here with MANZOR BLUE, who hasn't exactly set the world on fire, but may appreciate the step up in trip as a well fit Lisa Latta runner. Nice finishing 2nd to TSHIEBWE at New Plymouth and PRIVY GARDEN at Tauherenikau over 1600m, before battling up in trip at Trentham. The horse started slowly on Boxing Day at Otaki, but demonstrated a strong effort and chased effectively over 2200m in its last race here, which suggests that a longer distance might be more suitable for this ALMANZOR mare. At $61, so only for the brave, although might not be a huge surprise to us if Kate Hercock has her winding up strongly that final 200m.

☆

REMUTAKA CLASSIC

RACE 7 - 2100m

THE PRECURSOR / SNEAK PEEK / ROCTAVE

How good THE PRECURSOR might be could be proved here with any luck, and a wise Masa steer from this tidy gate has this behemoth of a horse right in the contest. Won very well over the mile at New Plymouth on a Soft 7 after finishing 2nd to WAR OF SUCCESSION over 2100m at Ellerslie and 2nd to OMEGA BOY at Trentham and solid when 3rd in a strong field last start at Ellerslie. The former Australian galloper by Melbourne Cup winning sire ST JEAN was fairly consistent in five runs across the ditch, but appears an even better horse now. Genuine pace then right in this contest. Back the stable who scored the quinella down here two weeks ago in the Desert Gold Stakes.

☆☆☆☆

The Marsh-trained SNEAK PEEK took on the big guns in the Gr.3 AOTEAROA CLASSIC (1600m) at Ellerslie last Saturday and ran on late despite being shoved back to last from a wide gate and ultimately, outclassed by the likes of TUXEDO and HINEKAHA. Was going alright prior, winning over the mile in Auckland, then running a sound 2nd to Counties Cup winner SOLIDIFY at Pukekohe. Improved and fought on for 3rd over 2400m in her next at Ellerslie, then came well back in trip which wasn't ideal. If well recovered, the ALMANZOR mare can run a big race coming back in class.

☆☆☆

ROCTAVE can be s little erratic, although the Marsh trained gelding seems a robust staying type still developing his ‘A’ game. Stormed home when looking no chance over 2100m at Te Rapa in December and it was an impressive effort to get up. Overraced in the Dunstan Final at Ellerslie killing any chance, then experienced a rocky run when 5th at Pukekohe last start but managed to hold 5th place. Huge task, but a one-paced type that will keep punching away before sprinting up hard while others are tiring. The ROC DE CAMBES gelding needs to settle into rhythm early and can win with Craig Grylls in the saddle.

☆☆

LOWLAND STAKES G2

RACE 6 - 2100m 3YOF

ARIADNE / ORIGIN OF LOVE / CRIMSON SKY

Roger James and Robert Wellwood were hunting for more ALMANZOR yearlings at Karaka this week, and why not after the success they are experiencing with the Sires offspring. ARIADNE is a lightly tried filly who has looked good in her last two starts - defeating talented stablemate DANCE THE NIGHT at Pukekohe over the mile despite being hampered, before another strong effort for third over the trip at Ellerslie. A few weeks between runs and up to the 2100m should see the filly arrive here in fine condition, as the stable will have her bang on we believe.

☆☆☆☆

The beautifully bred SNITZEL filly ORIGIN OF LOVE from the Te Akau barn has really looked the part in her last two runs and can be highly competitive in the Lowland on Saturday. Won the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes at Riccarton during cup week, before a bold 5th to WELL WRITTEN in the Gr.1 NZ 1000 Guineas when swamped late. On pace and fought hard in the Gr.3 Eulogy at Trentham, followed by a strong 2nd to OPHOPE WINS in the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan (2000m) at Ellerslie. Sure to be a bit susceptible late, although the well travelled filly has been going exceptionally well and has to be considered wearing the powerful Tangerine colours.

☆☆☆

Cody Cole targeted the two main Wellington 3YO races for his OCEAN PARK filly CRIMSON SKY, and she was impressive last start at Trentham, running a close up 3rd to FAIRY DREAM in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) after finishing off super strong the final 150m. Despite still being a maidener, the filly ran a nice race for 2nd over 1300m at Tauranga the run prior after going back from a wide gate and no doubt is a progressive young horse that will appreciate this distance. Big wraps on this girl and could come out and put them away, especially if that last run hasn't taken too much out of her. A major player down the stretch with Collett aboard.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP SPRINT

RACE 8 - 1200m

SLIPPER ISLAND / COSENTINO / I'M ALL IN

SLIPPER ISLAND has being seeking a return to form and Tony Pike has ventured the horse to Wellington once again seeking redemption. Really impressive this time last year when rampaging through them in Wellington. Won three-in-a-row over 1200m from January and was really up and flying. The NO NAY NEVER gelding failed to find that same vigor travelling to Riccarton for the Pegasus and Steward Stakes, although 4th place in both were reasonable enough results. Not terrible in the Gr.3 J. Swap Sprint when 7th to Telegraph winner FIRST FIVE after going back from an outside barrier, and held up at the 100m. No luck last start either in the Telegraph when crowded early and held up at the 300m. Could do a number on these if Pike still has the edge on.

☆☆☆☆

We think the Gray's runner COSENTINO is right in this race after running well down the chute previously, and looks to have trained on exceptionally well. The EL ROCA gelding has been around the mark this prep, running 3rd at Waverley in November, then a little keen when 4th in the Levin Stakes at Trentham. Rider dropped the whip when 5th over 1200m at Wellington in December before a sound effort setting the pace last start over 1340m at Wanganui and fighting on hard for 3rd place. Needs a firm track, although the timing seems right and Masa is a good booking after having Mudhoo aboard.

☆☆☆

Stephen Marsh will be buoyed getting Daniel Stackhouse aboard his ZOUSTAR gelding I'M ALL IN, who arrives here fresh after finishing 2nd to BOLD BELLE over 1200m here when last seen. Ran some top races last summer, finishing 2nd to MIDNIGHT EDITION at Pukekohe and runner-up to LOVE POEM at Tauranga, before leading down the chute at Trentham and holding on to 3rd to SUPER PHOTON. Failed in the Cambridge Breeders, then brought back with a sound 4th at Ellerslie, followed by a nice effort on a Heavy 8 at Wellington. Soft trial up in Auckland against the big guns, but this looks more than achievable.

☆☆

DOURO CUP BM75

RACE 10 - 1600m

AFTERNOON SIESTA / ANDERSON BRIDGE / AIRPARK HUSTLER

The SHAMUS AWARD mare AFTERNOON SIESTA is one beast of a galloper who has put them away with consummate ease the last two since resuming and it looks like there's no stopping her here. Won on a Heavy 8 at Wanganui after running 2nd on debut at Trentham before being put away for the winter. Resumed with a strong victory over 1400m at Tauherenikau in December before coming on strongly to win here very well last start. Should be even better up to the mile and you might need a crowbar to get Kelly Myers off this fine John Bary trained mare. Should prove hard to beat again.

☆☆☆☆

The contempt ANDERSON BRIDGE showed towards his competitors here at Wellington in his first New Zealand start was nothing short of brutal, but the 2nd effort was less then desirable. The Gray's took over the five-year-old SAVABEEL gelding in mid 2025 after 19 starts in NSW. A highly consistent galloper, he did win over the mile at Hawkesbury back in 2023 and even contested the 2024 Gr.1 Queensland Derby. Unable to reach any great heights, the horse was relocated to the Copper Belt Lodge stables in Palmerston North to continue his career. Beat a good one in AFTERNOON SIESTA in his last trial, before blowing them away by 5L in his debut over 1400m on NZ soil. A repeat of that and could be hard to hold out again.

☆☆☆

We are quite taken by the Pittman's trained AIRPARK HUSTLER who is ironically owned by the guy that owns the parking at Christchurch airport. The WAR DECREE gelding was impressive winning over 1400m on the Heavy 8 at Riccarton during cup week with a big finish before running 3rd to LOOSE SALLY down at Wingatui over the mile. Gave it plenty along the rail when 3rd at Canterbury and he obviously loves his home track, although this distance seems more his go. The father and son team look to have him in career best condition and with his head screwed on, so he probably can give this a shake if a few things fall his way in the straight.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 2100m

SADHBH / KNICKERLESS / REV IT UP RUSTY

Pam Gerard may have set up SADHBH just perfectly for this staying event, and despite the wide draw, the five-year-old DARCI BRAHMA mare is a strong endurance type closing in on peak fitness. Incredibly bold running 2nd to PROBOY over 2100m at Te Rapa after setting well back, before mounting a strong finish and just unable to hold on. Came back to the mile last start at Matamata and fought on well after being pressed hard from the turn. With a bit more speed in the legs, a stronger performance is possible going back up in trip and she is well-underrated as a stayer with sound ability. Masa the key.

☆☆☆☆

She may be a tough mare to catch, but the CHARM SPIRIT mare, KNICKERLESS hasn't been terrible of late and can pull their pants down if in the right mood. Strong late over the mile to win here on a Good 4, beating home some pretty nice types. Couldn't muster a finish in the next two at Trentham before racing three-wide without cover, then improving to sit outside the leader before the pressure proved too much. Gate is certainly no better here, although a firm track is required and if Hercock can settle early, recent trackwork suggests she is capable of fearuring late.

☆☆☆

Lisa Latta brought back REV IT UP RUSTY over the mile at Trentham, but he didn't exactly inspire much confidence after fading away without offering a whimper resuming. Rusty had been trialed since and is capable on his day, although was possibly crying out for further to demonstrate his abilities. The RUSSIAN REVOLUTION gelding last won over 2100m at Hawera in May 2024, but he was close up and consistent in the Autumn and went an absolute boomer down here on Telegraph day last start when chasing to the turn before challenging hard, and only weakening late into 4th. Similar effort then can go even better on Saturday.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 3 - 1400m

PADDY THE FARMER / SHACKTIME / WYWORRY

The Cody Cole trained PADDY THE FARMER appears very well placed in this 1400m event and can pull off a victory if able to run up to form. The four-year-old OCEAN EMPEROR gelding defeated MISS FLADGATE resuming in October at Tauranga after one lone 3YO run in November 2024. Went lame after bruising to the left foot in the next, then lost ground early at Pukekohe and couldn't make it up. Much better looming up from thr turn over 1400m at Trentham last start and fought on well for 3rd behind ANDERSON BRIDGE who had bolted. This looks obtainable if Ryan Elliot doesn't mess around early.

☆☆☆☆

SHACKTIME resumed with a nice effort for 3rd resuming and we know this Allan Sharrock trained galloper has some ability. Won a maiden at Waverley this time last year, then not so prominent in the two runs preceeding that. Returned with a fair run over 1400m at Wanganui last start after coming wide and getting a bit closer, although may need this one as well to get right back up to speed. Nevertheless, we rate the horse who runs in the Waikato Stud colours, so the TIVACI mare could be worth including in your numbers. Myers aboard again and any Sharrock runner in Wellington is worth considering.

☆☆☆

John Wheeler brings WYWORRY down from his New Plymouth base and its best to refer to his quality 1200m victory on day one of the Cup carnival at Riccarton to understand his true ability. Fired up powerfully on the Canterbury course to win well, before over-racing there on the final day and unable to finish it off on a Heavy 8. Better back at Trentham when 3rd to THORAX over 1300m, with a Good track here likely to be his friend. The COMPLACENT gelding should really be more suited to this trip and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the stable get him well up for this. Odds are fair with Stackhouse aboard.

☆☆

BEST BET: ROSSO

NEXT BEST: THE PRECURSOR

BEST VALUE: SLIPPER ISLAND

WILDCARD: KNICKERLESS