OPEN HANDICAP
RACE 7 - 2040m

IDENTIKIT / ROYAL FLOWER / RUA ROCKS

The Lisa Latta-trained IDENTIKIT looms as a sound chance after a fine victory at Whanganui, and after a slow beginning, the OCEAN PARK mare took over the lead and kicked on from the turn to win easily over 2040m. After some good synthetic form last spring, the mare resumed in April at the mile before running on from midfield to finish 2nd at Hawera over 2100m. Won again at Otaki and Latta has developed a nice staying type that enjoys it wet and is sure to strike ideal conditions at here Saturday. Probably added some speed to those legs with recent runs and appears perfectly-placed to bounce back after the last few disappointing efforts.

☆☆☆☆

If ROYAL FLOWER strikes a soft track here then the PROISIR mare is right in this. The last few runs haven't been overly encouraging, although it usually takes her a number of runs to reach full fitness. Hit a nice patch in the Autumn, finishing 2nd at Hawera, before running 3rd in the Gr.3 WFA Manawatu Breeders (2050m) behind VAL DI ZOLDO. Came out to win the Foxton Cup (2100m) next time out at Hawera showing plenty of fight, and thats the horse you want to see turn up here.

☆☆☆

We were bashing ourselves over the head, but kept returning to RUA ROCKS, even though the EL ROCA gelding was letting us down. However, he finally got the job done over 2000m on a Heavy 10 New Plymouth track last start and can go on with it. Although now an eight-year-old, trainer Carl Henderson has been able to being out the best in the horse at times, despite a string of mediocre performances this prep. Last won at Taranaki back on Xmas Eve 2024, so whether he can back up that last big effort is hard to predict. Could be worth keeping onside for a horse that likes to get forward and dictate terms.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP
RACE 5 - 1340m

BEDTIME STORY / LATRELLE / SPENCER

BEDTIME STORY is a very talented PERSON INCANTO mare that looks very close to a win after a couple of excellent runs. Was a bit keen early over 1200m at Trentham and overraced, but was outfinished after leading at the 200m. Put in a solid bid at Wairarapa over 1000m after being held up rounding the bend, however both races should leave the mare closely to peak condition and ready to go one better. Grabs a kilo claim and jumps from an inside gate, but will need to avoid being pushed too far back and will be better suited sitting just off the pace before pouncing.

☆☆☆☆

Willing to allow LATRELLE another chance after suffering a cardiac arrhythmia last start over 1500m at Ellerslie. The Cody Cole trained REDWOOD mare was unlucky in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes when racing in restricted room the run prior, but previous efforts where super strong. Led from the 100m to win very well here over the mile early March, and was close up at Otaki and Pukekohe in Jan/Feb. This trip will suit back in trip and she should score a soft run from the ace gate. Tidy odds if like us, your interested in going a bit wider and weighted to run a big one dropping 3kg. No way should this horse be the outsider and expect a better effort.

☆☆☆

SPENCER will jump toweight here and claim down 4kg to 58kg with young Sienna Brown taking the reins, and just the kind who can run a big sprint race when in the mood. The Peter & Shaun McKay trained DERRYN gelding won nicely at Trentham, challenging on the turn, but shifting outwards to find clean racing room. Super game in victory over the 1200m, then battled on a bit on a Heavy 8 Wellington track. Can be an unpredictable type, however won a G3 sprint at Te Rapa last year, before scoring another easy win at Trentham in May, so has more class then a few here.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP
RACE 4 - 1200m

COOPER / SINDEE / VELTON

The TIVACI gelding COOPER has trialled up beautifully in preparation, and even though this draw is a bit tricky, Bruno in the saddle can balance out the deficit. Ran some strong races in the Autumn of 2024, but too often wilts the final 100m after finding the lead early. Found the fast lane when victorious over 1200m at Wanganui in April, however hasn't been seen since May, so a long time away from the track. Good fresh up performer, excellent track record and 1200m is his go.

☆☆☆☆

SINDEE from the astute Allan Sharrock stable is another firm fresh up performer who is 2/2 on this Wanganui course at 1200m and won't mind some give in the track. The lightly raced ARDROSSAN mare has only raced three times this year, finishing 3rd at New Plymouth and Waverley, before claiming a win on her home Taranaki track. Lumbered with a hefty weight, however stable apprentice Mxothwa will claim down to 56kg which should be manageable for such a quick horse. Will come across quickly, although still a big task.

☆☆☆

The Bryce Newman runner VELTON is quite a progressive type who has been running well of late and can threaten. Looked particularly good this time last year when beating home FORCE OF NATURE at Taupo, then nailed right on the line here at Wanganui over 1200m. Led, but weakened into 4th behind LECIA LUCY at Trentham and now appears to have returned a more mature competitor. Too strong resuming fresh up over 1200m at Waverley, before getting close to THOOZA over 1300m at Wairarapa. The HEADWATER mare will settle handy again and looms as serious danger so be very wary.

☆☆

DUNSTAN STAYERS QUALIFYING
RACE 8 - 2040m BM65

RITHIM / COTTON ROCA / REDANA

Gone wider with the withdrawal of the mare FOSSE and we don’t mind the Lisa Latta trained RITHIM who is due to return to form and 2nd-up could be the go. The four-year-old TIME TEST mare went very well in trackwork at Awapuni on Tuesday, running in with the well-performed stablemate IDENTIKIT over 1000m in 1:05.3, the last 600m in a solid 36.8. That was work similar to what WAR PRINCESS produced in the morning, but a more determined animal will need to arrive here. 2kg Claim with Chung aboard, drawn a tidy gate, so the right attitude could see the mare running on strongly with a soft run and some cover. $13 odds, however, no future champions here, up to a better trip and could surprise in the last with some luck.

☆☆☆☆

COTTON ROCA came out and won last start for Bryce Revell, with all four runs this prep, bar one being full of merit. Slow to begin, but fought on for 5th fresh up at Taranaki, before running second on the outer and holding 2nd over 1200m at Hawera. No go at Waverley for whatever reason, however bounced back with a bold performance coming wider to defeat HIGH COUNTRY over 1800m at New Plymouth with Grylls riding. This EL ROCA mare can go on with it now stepping up in distance.

☆☆☆

With a host of scratching in the last, REDANA comes into play despite the wide draw and Bruno will ensure he gets this REDWOOD mare into a fair position prior to turning for home. Only one win to show in 29 starts, so she does find it hard to get across the line first, however, finished second and produced two third placings on the Awapuni synthetic, so will probably appreciate a firm track. Last won here at Wanganui over 1340m in January, and that has to count for something, although not the nicest race to finish the day on.

☆☆

CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING RACE
RACE 6 - 1600m BM65

OUTER FOCUS / BLUE JEANIE / KNICKERLESS

OUTER FOCUS is a SACRED FALLS mare trained on the course by Kevin Myers, and we've always rated her ability. Fought back well to win over the mile at Otaki in June, then finished 3rd there in July. Settled midfield before heading wider on the turn to get one length from COCOBILL over 1600m at Woodville last start, and that was a solid fresh up effort. Really is the type that would appreciate a bit more moisture in the track, but Leighton claims 3kg, and the way the Myers team went last weekend in Christchurch, she just has to be a chance.

☆☆☆☆

The Newmam trained BLUE JEANIE returned with a sound run for 3rd after eight months on the sideline, and will surely offer a bit more 2nd-up. A progressive five-year-old SATONO ALADDIN mare, JEANIE won here over 2040m in January after finishing 2nd on the course the run prior. Ran 3rd behind the powerful SUNSET BOULEVARD over the classic 2040m Wanganui trip in March, with all three nice runs on a Good 4 track or better. Jumps up in trip with any surface improvement a serious bonus. Early market fave.

☆☆☆

Not sure if we can take KNICKERLESS that seriously anymore, as she's pulled our down pants a few times and should really be in a quinella with DOWNTROU if keeping it real. The Latta-trained CHARM SPIRIT mare won fresh up at Waverley in April, then got her knickers in a twist and dropped out in the next three on Heavy tracks. Much better on the Soft earlier in the year when running 2nd at Otaki and Wairarapa, but last solid win prior to that was over the mile at Hasting more than a year ago. Nevertheless, that Waverley win flashing home over 2100m was impressive and she isn't a bad fresh up horse at the mile. Hail Mary, goes big or throws you her underwear and a brown eye, but pretty forward and will find the line late.

☆☆

CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING RACE
RACE 3 - 1200m BM65

LUCULLAN / THORAX / FIRST GEAR

Trained by Peter & Trent Didham at Awapuni, LUCULLAN looks a red hot chance here after displaying a fair amount of potential with a light campaign last summer. Finished 2nd on debut to the nice type COSENTINO over 1000m, then ran on for 3rd returning to that trip at Wairarapa. Nailed it at Waverley in his third attempt, and was just too good for them. One run for a 3rd in May, then did little resuming after being wide early at Trentham. The RICH ENUFF gelding can bounce off that first up effort and go much better with that run out of the way. Potentially, one of the best on the card after some fine trackwork on Tuesday.

☆☆☆☆

Robbie Patterson coached a win out of RIBCHESTER gelding THORAX on debut and we see no reason why he can't repeat. Trialled up nicely, beating home the highly-rated CASINO, then inched ahead to defeat WYWORRY over 1200m on his home course of New Plymouth. That horse went on to win very well on the first day of the Cup Carnival at Riccarton, so plenty to like about his potential and really is the horse with maximum upside with only half a kilo added. Dell takes over from Grylls, but will take plenty of stopping.

☆☆☆

Quite like the chances of FIRST GEAR with Bruno Queiroz in the saddle, and that boy is riding his boots off at present. The Copper Belt Lodge trained DERRYN gelding finished 2nd behind DOMAIN ACE in April 2024, then runner-up again at Woodville before kicking away from the 400m to win well at Trentham. Ran 5th in the Castletown Stakes, then not seen for another 14 months. Shared to pace before weakening out slightly at Otaki, before coming wide at Hawera with nothing in the tank. Could be ready to produce a much better effort.

☆☆

BEST BET: IDENTIKIT

NEXT BEST: LUCULLAN

BEST VALUE: LATRELLE

WILDCARD: KNICKERLESS