OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 2200m

TISSE / IDENTIKIT / DUKE OF PLUMPTON

TISSE proved he was the class horse of the field when powering up to win here last start over the mile and we believed Alan Sharrock was close to getting the BELARDO gelding back to hIs best. Was slow away and dis a few things wrong, however, looks well suited to the step up in trip and should prove hard to hold out.

☆☆☆☆

IDENTIKIT is a fine OCEAN PARK wet weather galloper from the Latta stable who didn't go too badly for 4th behind BRADMAN on the Heavy 10 at Trentham last start and that horse has since come out and won again. She performed admirably, securing a stylish victory over 2400m at Wellington in October, and is expected to thrive under favourable soft conditions here.

☆☆☆

We looked closely at the old boy DUKE OF PLUMPTON who resumed with a tough first up run at Woodville carrying 59kg. The BACHELOR DUKE gelding may need more racing to reach peak although he did win over 2600m at Taupo and a couple of hurdle events last winter, so if nothing else, the 10-year old is a hardy soul. Down on 50kg here so a mere featherweight to carry and has won 2nd-up twice in Australia. The blowout.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1400m

BONNARD / FORCE OF NATURE / WIRE ROPE

Late developer BONNARD has been in exemplary form this preparation and looked in the right order to face the sternest test of his fledgling career at Te Rapa last start. But we weren’t big on the Gerald Harvey bred SWISS ACE gelding and he could only manage 5th behind TISSE so it was too much too soon. Won the three previous, including a mile contest here and better position back in trip and class running on the pace.

☆☆☆☆

FORCE OF NATURE was really poor over the 1200m at Te Rapa last start but looked to he building after two sound runs back from a spell. The Andrew Forsman trained SAVABEEL gelding defeated JAARFFI in the Legacy Lodge in Nov and won three-in-a-row here last season, proving he is a dynamic sprinter at best and can measure up with a much sharper performance.

☆☆☆

WIRE ROPE won at the end of 2025 at New Plymouth, then came back to the Taranaki track and back to the 1200m to win in January. Afforded a nice spell after finishing 2nd on his home track of Waverley over the 1400m. Trialed up cleanly at Waverley before resuming with a 4th urged on with a big finish, and that was carrying 58kg. The DARCI BRAHMA gelding only has to lug around 53kg with Toni Davis aboard and appears the upsetter at fair odds.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 9 - 1650m

JUNGLE LOVE / NEW YORK BELLE / KOSTA

We don't mind this ACE HIGH mare JUNGLE LOVE from the Peter Lock barn who was inconvenienced over the final stages but still held 2nd over the fast finishing FLAMENCO at Matamata. That was at the mile and the mare did win coming late from second last for another 2nd place the run prior over 1400m at Otaki. A very genuine type, she won at New Plymouth in March of 2025, then was not seen again until winning there again fresh up on Boxing Day some nine months later.

☆☆☆☆

We believe NEW YORK BELLE is at big overs here and was a tad unlucky running onto heels at Te Rapa and needing to be steadied. Won here at Waverley the run prior challenging strongly from the 200m and appears well-suited coming back to her home track after that trip north. Will be much fitter going up in trip and Amber only needs to settle off the pace from this draw to play a role.

☆☆☆

KOSTA could just as easily come out here and blow them away, as did when defeating KOMOCEAN over 1400m at Trentham last start on a Heavy 10. But he could just as easily throw it all away if slow from gates and trapped too far back. Really needs to be on pace and chasing something to keep his focus in the game and the weight increase won't make it any easier, but it is hard to knock winning form and he has won the only run here.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE - 1200m

CREMANT / BELLE'S FATE / TESTING

CREMANT was good for Lisa Latta at Wanganui, coming from barrier (14) to almost get up and hold on over the 1200m. Pushed wide there the start prior and no favours but set the pace at Otaki in the wet proving too strong before fighting in gamely behind SHAMELESS STAR racing in restricted room at the 175m mark. Ounce more luck in some clear air, then a big threat.

☆☆☆☆

The Patterson-trained BELLE'S FATE went to the line untested at Wanganui after struggling to find racing room in the straight. That was coming back from a 3 month break where the IFFRAAJ mare failed to produce much in two runs. Let down to win easily a year ago at Trentham over 1409m and might just be looking for those Heavy track conditions but a versatile type all the same.

☆☆☆

TESTING is another seeking Heavy winter tracks after exceling in the wet last year and the Roydon Bergerson trained TIME TEST mare is unbeaten in two fresh up runs. This lightly raced mare who travelled really well in a Foxton trial win and it appears the stable have her prepped forward enough to run s big race here. In the wet with this tidy draw and sweet light weight we could see a super strong first up performance.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1650m

KNICKERLESS / BERRY BROWN / SUMMER BREEZE

It is a difficult task to catch the Latta-trained KNICKERLESS, who we believe could be capable of a much better run over the mile, but we are committed to the CHARM SPIRIT mare who last won over the 1600m at Trentham in Dec, but struggled a bit until a 2nd at Waipuk in March. Afforded a spell since April and a lone trial to prepare. Likely to go back and charge home if held up for one big burst of power.

☆☆☆☆

Andrew Forsman brings BERRY BROWN down to Waverley and based on her latest work and strong last start 3rd racing she looks a top chance here. The LONHRO mare finished 3rd on the Cambridge Poly last Oct before winning setting the pace to win well at Matamata. Needed the last one and will strip much fitter with the 2kg claim sure to be appreciated.

☆☆☆

It is important to put into context the two poor resuming performances by SUMMER BREEZE, as this horse has the potential for an enhanced showing on Saturday. Three wide in midfield at Taranaki fresh up, followed by an on pace effort at Woodville when weakening out. That blowout may has probably cleaned her out and the mare has won 3rd-up in the past. Will be in it for a long way.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1200m

GREAT ESCAPE / HIGH NOON / WAIATA

The two recent performances by the fine IFFRAAJ mare GREAT ESCAPE are commendable, as both demonstrated strong and competitive efforts. Only the one win to speak of for the lightly raced Copper Belt trained mare, although she was runner up at Wanganui and Trentham last Autumn

☆☆☆☆☆

HIGH NOON has shown enough in only two career runs for the Thurlow/O'Malley stable and with the booking of Floor Moerman is a positive move that may pay off. The ACE HIGH filly ran 3rd on debut behind FLYHALF then came out to win at Woodville racing three wide without cover throughout. Looks a nice type and the biggest threat to the favourite.

☆☆☆

We would love to see the Lowry/Zydenbos trained WAIATA return to form as this VANCOUVER mare did display some ability early on in her career and only needs to recapture that mojo somehow. Willing to suggest at these big odds she can run a much improved race but it is hard to see her matching the main two selections for the win.

☆☆

BEST BET: GREAT ESCAPE

NEXT BEST: TISSE

BEST VALUE: CREMANT

WILDCARD: KNICKERLESS