AGC WFA STAKES (L)

RACE 7 - 1600m

MR MOJO RISIN' / PLATINUM DIAMOND / CHURCHILLIAN

We've followed MR MOJO RISIN' ever since his stunning last to first victory at Avondale on 2023, and despite two stints in Australia, this DEEP FIELD gelding hasn't always lived up to his potential. Came back to win over 1340m at Wanganui in March 2025, in a four run prep, then not seem again until trialing up impressive with a 4L victory at Avondale in March of this year. Raced three wide without cover throughout resuming at Ellerslie, then blitzed them at Rotorua and a repeat is on the cards.

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PLATINUM DIAMOND reeled off some smart trackwork at Awapuni on Tuesday and although seen primarily as a wet-tracker, the HELLO YOUMZAIN filly is in peak shape and could run a nice race on top of the ground. A sharp two-year-old, she won four-in-a-row to begin her career for Latta, including the Castletown Stakes, Ryder Stakes and Wanganui Guineas. Enjoyed the conditions when 2nd to CHURCHILLIAN at Rotorua last start and looks to have trained on brilliantly. Bruno on, could upset.

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CHURCHILLIAN has a tidy strike rate for Tony Pike and is coming off a fine victory in the Rotorua. Churchchillan won with some authority and only has to pocket away and roll off the leaders once turning in to feature. The big negative would be a seriously wet track, although she typically wins or does nothing, so you just don't want to be backing on that nothing day. An element of risk, but seems super well placed for Saturday after performing so well at Arawa Park and her strike rate suggests she will be thereabouts.

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BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 2040m

GOLD CURRENCY / EXIT LEFT / DANJURO

Kurtis Pertab will venture GOLD CURRENCY to the CD looking for a win and the TARZINO gelding appears well placed after a game run for 2nd behind LOCH KATRINE at Rotorua last start. That was on a HEAVY9, although he has performed well on firmer surfaces and put in some nice runs late in the year and will be suited up to the middle-distance range. Trained on adequately then looks extremely hard to beat.

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The Hastings trained EXIT LEFT has performed incredibly well in his last two, with a game finish for 2nd on a Heavy Otaki track followed by a last start win over 1650m at Waverley producing a big finish. Co-trainer Mick Brown was aboard when he worked easily over 1200m in trackwork and he looks to have thrived since the win earlier this month, stepping up to a middle distance for the first time.

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DANJURO returned from a five-month spell to run on well for 3rd over 1600m at Waipuk and it seems Peter and Trent Didham appear to have prepared the SAXON WARRIOR gelding well forward. Won at Otaki over 2100m on a HEAVY10 back in September last year and the second at WAIPUKURAU in November wasn’t too shabby. Not the most predictable stayer and prone to switching off at times but not risking based on that first up effort and the solid 4th at Otaki last start.

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BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 9 - 2040m

STARPELLO / RIBELLA ROSE / CONEY ISLAND

We liked the look of the Latta-trained STARPELLO at long odds last start, however, he begun Awkwardly which put the STAR TURN gelding near the back but he did finish on ok. Slow away, but did well to win at Hawera over 2100m in February and this step up in trip looks the key. STARPELLO reeled off a smart 1000m in 1.8.1, the last 600 in 36.9 in trackwork on Tuesday. If at a similar opening price then worth pursuing.

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RIBELLA ROSE is another Latta runner, although this RIBCHESTER filly has been a close up a number of times prior to sweeping up and winning her maiden over 2050m at Tauherenikau in March. Produced a nice finish last start over the mile at Otaki resuming from a break and as a preparation run it should have the filly suitably acclimatised stepping up in trip. Looms as a serious player arriving as a much wiser girl now.

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The last two runs of CONEY ISLAND suggests the SACRED FALLS gelding from the Latta barn is close to another win after a late, wide run here at Wanganui for a 2nd before a brave effort for 2nd at Tauherenikau at the latest. In fine touch this time last year, winning at Waverley before two runner-up slots at Wanganui. Would probably like it a bit wetter, although the record here speaks volumes and should score a soft trip.

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BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1340m

GREAT ESCAPE / BADGERINGTHEWITNESS / LA DULCIN'EE

Trainer Rosie Fell has managed to get a dividend in each of GREAT ESCAPE's three races last campaign and a win is pending for the IFFRAAJ mare after finishing 2nd over 1100m at Otaki last start. Produced a strong finish for 3rd at Waverley before running on well for 2nd at Whanganui over 1340m in early 2025, then run down late by FRENCH DOLL at Trentham over 1400m. Now with the Gray's at Palmy, she looks well prepared to be winning on Saturday.

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He may be getting in in years, but the big grey stayer BADGERINGTHEWITNESS was given a hard hitout in a Waipa trial a month ago and the RELIABLE MAN gelding stuck to the task well over the 1150m. As far as we're concerned, that was a strong enough effort to suggest that Peter Lock would have trained him on effectively and put the miles into the legs after bringing him back into work a bit earlier this time up. Prepared to say he can take part in finish.

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LA DULCIN'EE will probably try to run them off their feet here over the 1340m and this is his pet track where he performs best. Has won over the trip but really does prefer a Heavy track. Regardless, the PER INCANTO mare will have Leah Hemi aboard and she does have a good connection with the horse. Won at Wanganui 12 months ago so must be close to peak fitness after some well spaced racing and every opportunity to snatch it early dictating terms from the get go.

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BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 1200m

WAIATA / LANDMAN / OUR SASSIE ANN

This horse WAIATA could he anything if she could get her crap together and you only have to look at the impressive Te Aroha maiden victory when racing away from them in the latter stages to know what she has under the hood. Raced three wide without cover when 5th to SIBLING RIVALRY at Pukekohe, then put out after failing badly at Matamata in December. The VANCOUVER mare has completed two soft trials and we expect a strong effort fresh up running in the Central Districts now.

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LANDMAN has been fairly prominent running in strong three-year-old company, but is returning without a trial after finishing 5th to AMMIRATI in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) in November. The HELLO YOUMZAIN gelding won on debut at Woodville in August, then ran in Guineas grade at Wanganui and Riccarton. Nice 2nd to ABBAKISS ovet 1400m at Waverley and the Thurlow/O'Malley team certainly haven't overraced him. Will be looking for further but may still run a cheeky race.

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OUR SASSIE ANN was pretty ordinary in the spring but did run well here at Wanganui in 2024 for trainer Erin Hocquard, with a 2nd behind HERBERT over 1200m. A six-year-old mare by THE BOLD ONE, she does like to jump on the bunny and get on the speed early, but all too often weakens out under pressure when challenged. Nice trial in the wet at Foxton and she did track along comfortably when end to TESTING over 1000m and the mare did appear forward enough.

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THREE-YEAR-OLD SW&P

RACE 3 - 1340m

THE DIRTY DEE / SHAMELESS STAR / CREMANT

Trainer Robbie Patterson has a pretty talented three-year-old in THE DIRTY DEE, who won well over 1400m at New Plymouth last Nov, then hampered and forced over extra ground when 2nd at Trentham in Dec. Stopped badly in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and really had no excuses so the DERRYN filly was turned out for a bit. Did well to finish into 3nd resuming here at Wanganui after being contacted and blundering near the 350m mark. Really should of won but gets her chance to redeem herself on the course.

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SHAMELESS STAR won like a good horse last start at Otaki and the Didham's will claim 2kg with Toni Davis aboard so the SHAMEXPRESS filly is still sitting at a nice weight. Finished best to win over 1000m in March before being held up the entire straight at Trentham and too far back from the start in the Cambridge Breeders. On the pace and tough at Otaki, but may be better off gaining some cover from this tidy draw.

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Lisa Latta managed to get a win out of CREMANT on Boxing Day 2025 and the BELARDO filly did it easy. Didn't get any easier in the next two, running into the Te Akau horse QUEEN'S EVIDENCE and then CHEERIO. Afforded a spell before setting the pace and kicking on strong to win at Otaki resuming and fought gamely for 3rd there after racing in restricted room at the 175m last start. Wouldn't mind sone rain to arrive but quite a progressive type who can make her presence felt.

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BEST BET: THE DIRTY DEE

NEXT BEST: MR MOJO RISIN’

BEST VALUE: WAIATA

WILDCARD: STARPELLO