MUFHASA CLASSIC G1

RACE 8 - 1600m WFA

LEGARTO / LA CRIQUE / LADIES MAN

LEGARTO is ready to get back to her best in the Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic at Trentham on Saturday and looks primed and ready to go. The six-year-old PROISIR mare, already credited with earnings of more than NZ$2 million, has been off the scene since finishing fifth in the G1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa in late September. Legarto was withdrawn from the Livamol due to a niggling hoof issue resulting from constant wet spring ground, but it seems Ken and Bev Kelso have their star mare close to peak condition. A slick trial defeating CAPTURED BY LOVE certainly suggests the husband and wife team have the gelding back on track, and with Vinny Colgan aboard jumping from the (1) gate, we could see the best version of the horse return on Saturday. Forget the bar plates dilemma, blinkers on for the first time the key.

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Our favourite girl LA CRIQUE, like LEGARTO hasn't experienced the winners circle too often lately, although she has stood up to be counted and is just an incredible performer up against the very best in New Zealand. Produced a game finish for 2nd behind the rampaging QUINTESSA in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate at Ellerslie, then runner up to WAITAK in the Gr.1 Howden on an unsuitable Heavy 9 at Te Rapa. Last won 12 months ago, then finished 2nd to LADIES MAN in the Mufhasa, before a tight loss to SNAZZYTAVI in the Zabeel and two 2nd placings behind EL VENCEDOR in the Herbie Dyke And Bonecrusher. Really deserves a Group ones, although this VADAMOS mare is genuine and will give it her all every time. Love to see her win this one and press on throughout the summer racing period.

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LADIES MAN has the unfortunate problem of just being too talented for his own good and often burdened by big weights, but he is a WFA specialist who can go well after suffering heart fib episode in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic, then a fair 4th in the Tauranga Stakes. Improved from the turn to finish 3rd in the Gr.1 Howden Mile, and carried a lofty 62kg in the first two runs of his campaign. Won this race, the Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic at Trentham last year in fine style, before running 4th to EL VENCEDOR In the Herbie Dyke and 4th in the Zabeel Classic behind SNAZZYTAVI. Faced the best and given his all, which is what you can expect from the Allan Sharrock trained ZED gelding. May be an eight-year-old now, but $1M in the bank and could be ready to display his finest work.

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SPRING SPRINT OPEN G3

RACE 7 - 1400m

KITTY FLASH / MYSTIC PARK / THE SCUNNER

KITTY FLASH has to be considered a serious threat here dropping down in the weights, with 4.5kg less then what she carried for a 2nd behind CHARMROSE at Tauranga. Won very well there resuming over 1200m, defeating a nice type in ERIN GO BRAGH. The Forsman trained ACE HIGH mare won well at Taupo and Te Rapa over 1400m last year, before running 2nd to ALABAMA LASS in the Gr.2 Soliloquy at Ellerslie with a strong effort. Much tougher in the Gr.1 1000 Guineas before bouncing back with s 2nd to SAVAGLEE in the Gr.2 Levin Classic. Really should be too good for these at a trip she thrives at and with Grylls aboard. Not down here for shits and giggles thats for sure.

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The Southern sprinter MYSTIC PARK was a bit disappointing resuming, but the Pitman's eventually brought our the best in him coming back in distance. Big finish wide to take out the Gr.3 TAB Mile at Riccarton and prove he is back to his very best, with the Pitman's chuffed after bagging the doubters. The OCEAN PARK gelding has been charging home with supreme power and should appreciate attacking this distance again. He is lethal at best and goes exceptionally well in a fresh state. With eight wins from nineteen starts, primarily at Riccarton, this horse has demonstrated sufficient ability to warrant serious consideration. Has Opie on from a nice gate, so appears dangerous once more. The Southern money will be on.

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If THE SCUNNER had drawn better here then we believe the SHAMEXPRESS gelding would of been a red hot chance after some fine results, but this gate makes it hard. Did it easy to win over a mile at Trentham on a wet track to finish off the last prep, before resuming with a big run to win over 1400m at Otaki in September. One trial, defeating WAR PRINCESS over 1000m at Foxton, then ran on the speed when 2nd to the classy HI YO SASS BOMB in the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap over 1400m here last start. Does love this place, and with some luck may be hitting the line hard with Kelly Myers steering.

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DUNSTAN STAYERS QUALIFYING

RACE 6 - 2100m BM75

SINHAMAN / BILLY BLINX / ROSSO

The Marsh runner SINHAMAN raced three wide without cover last start over 1600m here at Pukekohe and did well to hold onto 3rd place behind QUEEN ZOU. Contacted at the start over the mile at Counties before that, appearing a run short when finishing 4th to I'M LULU. Great job for 2nd to STERLING EXPRESS over 1400m in the Autumn, and managed a fine 2nd to TITICACA in the Remutaka Classic (2100m) back Jan after winning at Trentham the run prior. Just comes across as a versatile TIVACI gelding closing in his very best, so worth following in here. Marsh has been big on the horse this prep and he set to gain a soft run with Opie in the saddle.

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BILLY BLINX was enormous from a wide gate when winning over 2100m at Counties last start, and will need a similar effort from another rough draw, but he is highly talented. Shaun and Emma Clotworthy have opted for a trip to Wellington to run in another Dunstan Stayers going up from BM65 to BM75 grade as a positive move. Fair performances early in 2025 before stepping it up when 2nd to TRANSCEND at Te Rapa over 1300m in September. Opie pressed the SHOCKING gelding home at Te Aroha in the next before an unlucky run over the mile at Ellerslie. Looks a serious stayer in the making and this couple know how to prep them to perfection after the success of their charge WILLYDOIT last season.

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The Pitman's bring ROSSO north after a dominant staying win on Guineas day at Riccarton last start and he should be a major player here. Won in fine style over 2200m at Ashburton, then the jockey gave him little chance over 2000m when dropping well back, winding up far too late with a mountain to climb. 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. The CAMELOT gelding out of a FASTNET ROCK mare was sound in the UK before running 2nd over 2450m at Geelong and 4th over 2400m at Sandown. Will be tough to roll here, despite coming back in trip, but weighted to go well. Beware, it could be just a sighter and familiarisation before returning for the 3200m Wellington Cup at the end of January.

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BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 9 - 1100m

TORONTO / KANA / FOREVERINTIME

We know trainer Stephen Gray holds his VANCOUVER gelding TORONTO in high regards and despite only five runs as a now five-year-old, his ability has gone largely unnoticed. Ran 3rd on debut in August on the Awapuni synthetic, then bolted in over 1200m there. Lay outwards running 4th at Ellerslie coming wide and not really helping himself much. Finished 2nd resuming here at Trentham and probably could of won if not shifting our abruptly at the 150m mark. Gave CASINO a galloping lesson when getting it right over 1200m at Waverley last start, so they may have sorted his waywardness and unpredictable nature under pressure. Repeat of that last run, could be tough to haul in, although no sure thing.

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The mare KANA, much like the other guy, can be a a bit of a hothead, nevertheless is best saved for one big, final shot at them - and she can boogie. Had to be steadied turning in at Wairoa last start, but tried hard for 3rd. Taken a forced time out since a bleed in June when 3rd on the Awapuni synthetic, and really over did it through the early and middle stages. The TIVACI mare last won down at Riccarton, and loves it there, but don't underestimate her 2nd up as a dynamic force when switched on. Peter Didham has the ability to set the mare just right for this and with Masa aboard from a soft draw she can most definitely feature near the line. If the mood hits her, then lookout. Provides excellent value.

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If they go hard out in front then it may suit a horse like FOREVERINTIME resuming here. Won well on debut at Ellerslie in February 2024, then placed with the Moody/Coleman team in Melbourne through the spring of that year and this past autumn. Best result was a win over 1400m at Cranbourne when drawing well clear. Only 1L off a good one in ESTERNAY at Flemington, so the WRITTEN TYCOON mare has some serious ability and can match up to most of these. Now with Roger James and Robert Wellwood at Cambridge, we should expect a strong campaign with more racing, but a trial victory in front of GRAIL SEEKER suggests he is well on his way. Well weighted, Rooke on, just needs to overcome a tricky gate.

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REMUTAKA CLASSIC GOLDEN TICKET

RACE 3 - 1600m BM65

POUKAWA / BRADLEY / MCGRATH

The Lowry/Zydenbos trained POUKAWA may have only won one from ten starts, but this PER INCANTO gelding has shown glimpses of brilliance and has finished no further back than 5th on eight occasions. Possibly a tough nut to crack, he won well on debut last year before flying late for 3rd at Taupo. Resumed last November with a strong late run for 3rd at Wanganui, then 4th over 1400m here at Trentham. Around the mark in the Autumn, with another 3rd and 4th at Wanganui, before resuming with a tidy 2nd at Wairoa over 1400m. Tricky when paced slackened last start, although up to the mile looks the key and Riddell should be able to position him away.

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Cody Cole brings BRADLEY down from Matamata, and this four-year-old BELARDO gelding has been a work in progress for the team. 3rd behind PROSEGUR last Nov, then two 4th placings up in trip were better then they looked. Finished 2nd at both Matamata and Te Rapa on Heavy tracks, then a 3rd at Tauranga before a good win at Matamata over 1400m after racing three wide without cover. Slow away at the mile last start, but 3rd-up could be ready to show something. His dam is LADY GAGA (Zabeel), so related to the fine racemare LADY MADONNA (Kingdom Bay) who won a Telegraph, and this gelding really only needs to bring his poker face to be fully effective.

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The SAVABEEL gelding MCGRATH, trained by Caley Myers at Marton, could be one to keep an eye on after one run back. The problem seems to be his erratic nature, often detaching from the field, or going off stride. Great run when 4th at Ellerslie over 12 months ago, with the rider dropping the reins at the 150m. Battled on well for 3rd behind BALANCE OF POWER at Te Aroha, then did little with three runs in the Autumn. Slow to begin, but came at them late for a nice 3rd resuming at Wairoa, and even though we can't be sure what we're going to get with this lad, he doesn't appear too badly placed and could get into the money with a determined finish.

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BEST BET: KITTY FLASH

NEXT BEST: LEGARTO

BEST VALUE: SINHAMAN

WILDCARD: KANA