WANGANUI GUINEAS

RACE - 1200m

OUT OF THE BLUE / SINGLETARY / SO FEAR

The TIVACI gelding OUT OF THE BLUE resumed at Taupo, warming up nicely late in the piece and the Te Akau stable may target predominantly sprint races this prep to utilise his quick turn-of-foot over the shorter trips. Didn't score the rub of the green much during his two-year-old campaign but still looked very good at times with wide draws and a slightly wayward mentality not helping much. This appears to be an appropriate race following the initial performance and he is a classy horse at best.

☆☆☆☆

SINGLETARY resumed in the Ryder Stakes at Otaki but never stood a chance fresh up on a holding Heavy 10 track. Settled last and impressive coming wifee to finish 2nd on debut behind STROMLINIEN at Ellerslie in January, followed by a tough run in the Gr.3 Colin Jillings (1200m) but ran on after a slow beginning and still appeared green. Following a successful trial in July, Andrew Campbell is confident in the progress of his SATONO ALADDIN gelding, particularly in light of his last impressive trial win at Foxton and a dry track helps.

☆☆☆

SO FEAR hasn't raced since failing in the Vet Stakes at Te Rapa in May and lost the rear hind plate in the process. The ARDROSSAN filly was impressive winning on debut here at Wanganui over 1200m followed by strong victory at Pukekohe trailing the pace before challenging at the 200m. Restrained early from a wide draw in the Starway Stakes at Ellerslie and did well coming wider to finish into 3rd place. Went well in a 1000m trial at Avondale recently and capable of running a bold fresh up race.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE - 2040m

WHAT A CHARMER / PICK OF THE LITTER / BENEFACTOR

The JIMMY CHOUX gelding WHAT A CHARMER showed off his true wet-weather ability chasing home AYTEEM at New Plymouth over 2000m and they streeted the rest of the field. The nine-year-old gelding had been average overall leading up, although the Spring form last year was sound, finishing 3rd here 12 months ago and winning at Rotorua over 1950m in October. Tends to hold his form well but would prefer a deep track to excel.

☆☆☆☆

PICK OF THE LITTER is a underrated VADAMOS mare who ran a tidy race for 3rd over 2100m at Hawera last start and he does have ability to stay and launch a late challenge if everything goes to plan. Big finish wider to win over 2200m on a very heavy Te Aroha track in June, then stood on at Waverley when 4th. He might not win many but does possess some serious resolve and can get into the finish once again for the Peter Lock stable.

☆☆☆

BENEFACTOR is backing up from a commendable 2nd place finish last Saturday at Hastings and we really thought this CONTRIBUTER was ready to win in the wet. Only a length off KNOCK OFF over the 1600m, and did defeat that horse the run prior at Otaki on a Heavy 10. Did well for a 2nd to BRADMAN at Trentham in June and he Latta-trained mare is a powerful sort up to running another big race.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE - 1200m

PRIORESS / BELLES BEAU / BELZONI

We were hot on PRIORESS in the Gr.3 Winter Cup at Riccarton following two top sprint wins in the CD, including a powerful victory in the Opunake Cup at New Plymouth and the PROISIR mare didn't let up down. Goung up to the mile, the Suzy Gordon-trained eight-year-old was held up rounding the final turn until the 350m and finished off soundly into 3rd at big odds. A nice freshen up and coming back in trip should boost his chances significantly.

☆☆☆☆

Robbie Patterson has BELLES BEAU flying over the previous summer period where this IFFRAAJ gelding won at Waverley before two strong performances for 3rd in the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge (1400m) and Gr.2 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham. One run since in the Gr.1 Otaki-Maori (1600m) at Ellerslie and he was held up until the 100m mark. Won a recent 1000m trial at Foxton, so coming along well and off a stiff pace may be finishing off strongly.

☆☆☆

Being by BELARDO the chestnut gelding BELZONI won't mind a wet track and he ran two sound races for 2nd at Riccarton over the 1400m on a Heavy 9 in August. Won at Wanganui over 1360m in June to kick off the prep finishing best with blinkers on for the first time, then not so good up to the mile at Waverley. Comes back to the 1200m which should suit nicely and with a high level of fitness could be the one hitting the line with real purpose.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE - 1600m

CONEY ISLAND / HE'S LUCID /

The Latta-trained CONEY ISLAND produced similar results to the stablemate BELZONI on their trip south, finishing 2nd on the first day challenging wider and gave it plenty late when runner up at the 2000m a week later on the course. An ultra consistent galloper, the SACRED FALLS gelding gave them a lesson in May at Wanganui when sprinting away from the turn delivering a demo job over the 2040m. Like him back to the 1600m on this course as a rock hard fit horse who can dominate proceedings and he does look difficult to beat here.

☆☆☆☆☆

HE'S LUCID was well supported in his two runs in Christchurch but just couldn't find any extra finishing 3rd, then 4th in both contests over 1400m and probably would of appreciated a slightly better track. The Myers trained CONTRIBUTER gelding was too strong at Hawera in June, but the slow starts haven't helped his cause much despite possessing the power to finish off strongly. Gets a shot at redemption here and can go a big race at the mile which he hasn't attempted since the 3YO Karaka Millions 6th place in January 2025.

☆☆☆

The locally trained OCEAN PARK gelding HENRY THOMAS could run a cheeky race here resuming and his last five runs from January all on this course were solid performances. Big finish to win over 2000m to kick off the year before a 3rd and 5th, followed by another victory at the 2600m after trailing the leaders. Finished the campaign with a 2nd to UNLEASH THE BEAST and sure to improve on anything he does here.

☆☆

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