NZB AIRFREIGHT STAKES

RACE 6 - 1400m 3YOF

COOL AZA RENE / MISS STARLIGHT / MAROKOPA FALLS

The Te Akau filly COOL AZA RENE had been predominantly restricted to racing in the South Island from the stables Christchurch satellite base and has performed relatively well in 9 starts, with 5 wins in total. Won his first two late last year at Otaki and Riccarton, before finishing finishing 2nd to BELLE DU MONDE and then striking difficulty gaining clear racing room in the Canterbury Belle. Returned from a month let up to score an exquisite victory in the Gr.3 Barneswood (1400m) at Timaru before struggling at the mile in the Gr.1 NZ 1000 Guineas at the latest. Freshened again and goes well in that state, so hard to discount her ability with one trial to prepare.

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MISS STARLIGHT won het first two on the Riccarton Synthetic over 1200m before claiming the Canterbury Belle Stakes in good company running on the turf. Defeated BONA SFORZA and INTENTION in the process which reflected her full potential. Couldn't launch with the same vigor in the Barneswood after a month off, then struggled to find cover running on heels in the Gr.1 NZ 1000 Guineas won by WELL WRITTEN. Another who will appreciate slightly easier competition and well capable of bouncing back here.

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Te Akau also have MAROKOPA FALLS in here and the HELLBENT filly hasn't been going that bad of late. She looked very good as a two-year-old winning on debut debut at Trentham before finishing 3rd in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge there next up. Ran 4th to LA DORADA in the Matamata Breeders, then slow away in the Sistema and sent for Kissing Spine surgery. Whether she can return to her absolute best is hard to say, however we never really got to witness her full potential as a juvenile and at some point the filly nay burst back into form without notice.

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OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 2200m

ELEGANT LADY / NOBLE KNIGHT / MAYOR OF NORWOOD

Quite tricky trying to catch the Te Akau stayer ELEGANT LADY, who is well capable, but often slow away and settles too far back to be effective. Nevertheless, the HIGHLY RECOMMENDED mare launched late angling outwards for 2nd on the Riccarton Synthetic at the latest and has been gradually building back to her best. Finished 2nd in the North Canterbury Cup (2000m) in September and close up numerous times last prep. Well suited at the 2200m, with plenty of time to find space and wind up hard. Only one run on the course but happy to give her a look in.

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NOBLE KNIGHT settled handy to the pace and was strong to the line when urged on in the Metropolitan Trophy (2600) for 3rd behind JUST CHARLIE and TITICACA. That was on a Good 3 at Riccarton and the GHIBELLINES gelding failed to appreciate the Heavy 9 surface there in the Gr.3 NZ Cup (3200m) last start. Performed well this time last year after finishing 5th in the Cup, then running 3rd in the Cromwell Cup before trying hard for 2nd here over 2200m when trapped wide and out in the open. He won the Invercargill Gold Cup directly after that, as he is a reliable deep south cup horse despite his advancing age.

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Hard to knock this horse MAYOR OF NORWOOD, who won the WAIKOUAITI CUP (2200m) last summer, leading at the 100m and proving too good for them. The six-year-old Ghibellines gelding trained by the Anderton's on the course has a tremendous record on his home track, unbeaten on the course and at the trip in two starts. Has won four here overall, so just loves the familiar surroundings. It appears the father and son team have him back in excellent condition and he should have trained on well enough to be highly competitive over the 2200m on Boxing Day. Fair weight, will stick to the rail from the ace draw and only needs a few things to fall his way to be winning.

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OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 3 - 1200m

TIKKI / INFLAMED / THE RADIANT ONE

TIKI demonstrates exceptional skills on the course and at the distance, making her a prime chance today. Races are always well spaced, however last prep the PER INCANTO mare has looked very tidy. Won at Otago over 1400m before finishing 3rd over 1000m at Riccarton. Battled on Boxing Day at Otago, although that was on a Heavy 10 and she needs it relatively firm to perform. She is a nicely bred mare trained by Steven Prince at Wingatui, and looks ready to take advantage of this opportunity on a Good track. A very progressive southern sprinter who likes to lead and could hold the sway nearing the post.

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The Anderton trained INFLAMED has been smashing it lately and pumped out a big effort to charge home late to claim the Stewards Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton during cup week. Set the pace to win here on her home track of Wingatui over 1200m the run prior, so went from claiming victory on a Good 4, to a Heavy 9. The GHIBELLINES mare is a super versatile type who has a strong strike rate, and it would be foolish to underestimate the mare in this current run of form.

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THE RADIANT ONE was predicted to go big for Robert Dennis last start, but he hadn't won for a while, and it was always going to be a big ask. Contacted at the start having to be steadied, so 3rd wasn't a terrible result. Big finish wide to finish 2nd to CAPTURED BY LOVE in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders' (1400m) at Riccarton and ran well in the Autumn when running 3rd to TIKKI before a 3rd to BETTY SPAGHETTI in the Easter Stakes (1400m) on a Heavy 10. Super versatile, so just has to be considered a red-hot chance coming back to the 1200m.

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BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1600m

AIRPARK HUSTLER / FLASH ROCA / COGNOSCENTI

We are quite taken by the Pittman trained AIRPARK HUSTLER who is ironically owned by the guy that owns the parking at Christchurch airport. The WAR DECREE gelding made easy work of it when winning his maiden on debut over 1400m at Riccarton before a strong finish for 4th behind the brilliant Southern 3yo PIVOTAL TEN in tbe Gore Guineas. Gave it plenty when out at the 300m in the Dunedin Guineas with a strong late finish for 2nd. With Tina.com in the saddle coming off a fine win over 1600m at Riccarton, we could see another top performance.

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The Kelvin Tyler trained FLASH ROCA is heading in the right direction and should offer up a solid challenge in this. Finished 5th at Otago and 4th at Southland over the 1200m before getting close to NO PARTY when 3rd at Cromwell over the 1400m. Slow to begin, but gave it plenty when 2nd up to the 1600m at Invercargill and we expect the stable to have the EL ROCA mare primed to the max. Can grab a piece of the action with Tina.com taking the reins.

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Team Te Akau have been attempting to reverse the fortunes of their CASTELVECCHIO gelding COGNOSCENTI, and they hit the buttons when he set the pace and was too strong over the mile on the Riccarton Synthetic last start. Ran a nice 2nd fresh up behind EPILOGUE over 1400m at Ashburton and he wasn't completely useless in the north, but appears far more competitive down here. Well weighted with Moodley aboard and only has to overcome an awkward draw.

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BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 2200m

LILY OF THE VALLEY / INDIE ARDIE / SABOTS D'OR

So hard for us to pull away from LILY OF THE VALLEY who came out to charge home late and win at big odds over 2200m at Invercargill last start. Regardless, the GHIBELLINES mare is a tough horse to catch and typically fires at least once racing on the summer West Coast circuit. Bill McNamara has managed 73 starts out of the old girl, which is rare in racing these days and reflects her soundness and careful guidance. Love to see the mare wins another as this should be her last season.

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The ARDROSSAN mare INDIE ARDIE has been running very well since the Autumn and returned with the same sense of purpose. Trained by Kevin Tyler at Riverton, the mare finished 2nd on her home track in April, before three 3rd placings, then a win over 2030m at Cromwell in November after sitting handy to the pace. Couldn't repeat the dose when 2nd to SHOCKUS on the second day of the meeting, so in the right condition to feature here. Exoect her to position away in a forward spot before challenging hard from the turn.

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Shankar Muniandy trains SABOTS D'OR here at Wingatui, and based on her previous performance at Cromwell where she was significantly impeded yet still managed to secure second place, she appears to be a strong contender in this event. Bumped at the start, ran wide, then hampered near the 900m making it so much tougher. Ran well here with two placings in the Autumn, so back at home appears a serious chance on 54.5kg, and likely at very nice odds.

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BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 1600m

HIGH ROLLER / FLAT STANLEY / CRUNCHIE BOY

Any Te Akau horse starting down here has to be up for careful consideration, and HIGH ROLLER does look very well-placed by the team. The ACE HIGH gelding out of a nice THORN PARK mare is coming off a game win on the Riccarton Synthetic three weeks ago and they quickly shifted him south after some average efforts in the north. Did manage a 3rd at Ellerslie over 1300m to kick off his career in late 2024, then little came of his three runs resuming up there. Good gate, Barnes on and can make it two on the trot. Fair odds.

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The eight-year-old SWEYNESSE gelding FLAT STANLEY really hit his straps earlier in the year down South, winning over 1400m at Riccarton with two runner-up slots and a 3rd placing on the course. Failed to finished lower than 4th in all five runs since resuming, and the last start 2nd to AIRPARK HUSTLER over the 1400m in Christchurch was a bold effort. Plenty of trust in Danny Croizer to have him still up, although his slow racing style on this course may be detrimental to the cause. Still a great bet.

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CRUNCHIE BOY has been building towards his best form and we expect John Blackadder to have this TAVISTOCK gelding in mint condition to face the mile once again. Gave it plenty last start over the 1600m at Ascot Park when running a strong 2nd behind GENTLE BEN, but this will be his first look at the course. Put in a good run behind TURNMEON at Waverley and a decent effort for 3rd to LITTLE BUT FIERCE at Riccarton in Sept, so has the nous and appears well-positioned to give this a fair nudge.

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BEST BET: COOL AZA RENE

NEXT BEST: HIGH ROLLER

BEST VALUE: TIKI

WILDCARD: LILY OF THE VALLEY