WHITE ROBE LODGE G3

RACE 9 - 1600m WFA

STONYBRECK / SIR ALBERT / BRAVE SPIRIT

We expect team Te Akau to have a fair influence over this meeting and STONYBRECK can bounce back from a poor run at Wingatui last start when slow away. Was going great guns in the Spring after coming down following a 2nd to STERLING EXPRESS at Ruakaka in June. Ran well on the Synthetic, before a 3rd to COGNITO over 1580m at Riccarton, then defeated PERFECT SCENARIO and MYSTIC PARK back to 1400m. Lost rider in the next and held up in the Gr.3 TAB Mile. Expect much better here, although possibly more suited to the wide-open spaces of Riccarton.

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SIR ALBERT appears well-suited at WFA, hence opening as the early favourite, although without strong market confidence. The big plus here could be getting Sam Collett aboard after an average effort in the Thorndon Mile at Trentham last start. Hard to knock sound form prior to that though, winning the Ashburton Cup (1600m), then the Listed Spring Classic (2000m) at Riccarton in October. Bold running three wide but still challenging hard for 2nd to MYSTIC PARK in the TAB Mile before going out for a break. Third run back and in a nice position to be winning this, with a smooth run from the draw likely. Expect this price to shorten closer to race time.

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BRAVE SPIRIT is a SWISS ACE gelding found for not much money on gavelhouse by the owner. Trainer Joe Waldron is thrilled with his progress in his runs since shifting south; finishing off nicely for a 2nd at Riccarton in October, then put in a late bid to win over 1200m on a Heavy 8 in Christchurch. Came down to Wingatui on Boxing Day and dealt to a decent Open class field, so no reason why this guy can't keep stepping it up. Waldron has done a great job with his small team since moving back home from Melbourne and can score another victory on Saturday. Been up a while which has to be taken into account.

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DUNEDIN GOLD CUP

RACE 8 - 2400m

ELEGANT LADY / INDIE ARDIE / COURT OF APPEAL

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 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 2400m, with plenty of time to find space and wind up hard. Only a few runs on the course but happy to give her a look in shifting up in trip as a fit horse coming out of a top stable and weighted to be right in the contest come go time.

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INDIE ARDIE will come into this well supported off the back of a few nice runs after Kelvin Tyler took the ARDROSSAN mare on a road trip to Wellington during Cup week and didn't come away empty handed. Highly competitive this campaign winning at Cromwell after running two 3rd placings in Heavy tracks. Scored two 2nd placings after that at Cromwell and Riverton, before winning again on his home Riverton course over 2147m. Dead-heated for 1st with LATEST MODEL with a big finish at Trentham, and the Remutaka Classic the following week was a lot harder than this. Still not embarrassed and up to winning.

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COURT OF APPEAL did come out and win last start over 2000m on a Heavy Riccarton track and was too tuff for them, although the EMINENT mare has been a little too wishy-washy at times this prep to inspire full confidence. Kicked nicely to win on the Synthetic in September, then strong defeating IN VEGAS over 2200m at Ashburton in October. Brave finish for 6th in the Metropolitan, before the tough going found her out in the 3200m NZ Cup, but a number were tripped up by the track that day. Might find it a touch more difficult on this turning track, but fit and certainly not out of it.

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DUNEDIN GUINEAS

RACE 7 - 1600m

LUNA CAPELLA / ALOTTAGO / MISS STARLIGHT

The drums were beating for the Anna Furlong trained TIVACI filly LUNA CAPELLA in the Southland Guineas after being unbeaten in two runs at Timaru and Wingatui, getting home over a good one in MOON GODDESS. The wide gate didn't help much in the Guineas after racing three wide throughout, but she challenged gamely to finish runner up to HELLO HAYLEY and scores the (2) gate here, which should make a huge difference. Potentially very good and worth considering as a progressive young horse with plenty of upside. Looms as a major threat and looks the one in a tricky 3yo field.

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ALOTTAGO is a classy three-year-old who has also drawn out, but much like MISS STARLIGHT is impossible to rule out and has the power to feature if not trapped our on a limb. This Lance Robinson TAGALOA gelding has been highly impressive at times, winning at Timaru and the Guineas trial at Riccarton. Finished 2nd to COOL AZA RENE in the Barneswood at Ashburton before a brave effort when 7th to ROMANOFF in the Gr.1 2000 Guineas finishing off nicely on a tough wet track in Christchurch. Ran in late for 5th resuming at Ashburton and should be ready to show something. Draw turns us off a bit, but too talented to dismiss.

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MISS STARLIGHT was the straight bat play in the Guineas as the class horse of the field who could of put them away after finishing 2nd in the Fillies race at Wingatui, but ended up suffering cardiac arrhythmia and failed badly. Did win the Canterbury Belle Stakes in September which signaled her true ability, although drawn our here and that won't make this task any easier at all. Very speedy filly, so Tina.com will need to fire up the boosters early and get her to cross prior to the turn. Will need some luck, although impossible to rule out and can place at the very least.

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SOUTHERN MILE FINAL

RACE 10 - 1600m

LOOSE SALLY / AIRPARK HUSTLER / MONAGHAN BOY

The TURN ME LOOSE mare LOOSE SALLY has come across as the best miler in the south this season and can go on with it here on her home course of Wingatui. Won here with a strong finish in November, then super game on the Otago track, claiming another victory despite being held up at the 200m. Held up against rounding the final bend at Wingatui but still produced a big finish to make it three-in-a-row, and why would they consider going away from this track. Big weight, although Shankar puts his brother on claiming 2kg and she could be too good for them again. Biggest test, but track/trip record exemplary.

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The Pitman's have worked away to try and bring out the best in AIRPARK HUSTLER this campaign, winning 1400m on the Heavy 8 at Riccarton during cup week with a big finish before running 3rd to LOOSE SALLY down here at Wingatui over the mile. Gave it plenty along the rail when 3rd at Canterbury and he obviously loves his home track. The father and son team look to have him in solid condition and with his head screwed on, so he probably can give this a shake if a few things fall his way in the straight. The one to watch despite the gate especially if Bruno can find the right strip of grass in the last.

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These odds seem well over the top for MONAGHAN BOY, who is coming off a strong win over 1400m at Ascot Park in the deep south last start and only goes up half a kilo after carrying much heavier lead previously. Even with 57kg the six-year-old GHIBELLINES gelding was highly competitive rinning close up in all his runs this prep and possibly can go on with it here for Kelvin Tyler if he actually starts here. At $23 we reckon he's worth a buck each-way. Also nominated in R5, so see where he starts as definitely competitive in the earlier event.

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OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1200m

INSATIABLE / THE PRINCIE ONE / TIKKI

The Te Akau-trained INSATIABLE is the class sprinter in this field and gets Opie on which might be enough to make all the difference. Nevertheless, the ALL TOO HARD gelding is coming off a dominant win in the Banks Peninsula Cup at Riccarton and his lead up form has been first rate. It's possible the Walker/Bergerson team now have him in perfect shape after a number of tidy efforts and we believe these odds present pretty good value. Won't want to get too far off them on this circuit, although Opie will ride like the best horse in the race.

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The well-bred mare THE PRINCIE ONE was 2nd-up when winning nicely last start with a powerful performance for the Robert Dennis stable. By SAVABEEL from the exquisite racemare, THE DIAMOND ONE, she racked up three in a row to end her prep and can carry on where she left off it appears. Great track/trip record, and just has to be a royal chance coming out of this yard. Should strip much fitter after running 2nd to RAIDANT LASS over 1200m before that fine victory and warrants serious consideration dropping to 55.5kg with Donovan Cooper aboard

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We've been following TIKKI since the sprinter resumed, with a 2nd to BRAVE SPIRIT at Wingatui, before a charging late effort to get up at Sourhland after being restrained back from a wide draw. The PER INCANTO mare hold a fantastic record at the 1200m trip and has won here, but dtawn wide again and will need to carry the full compliment of 60kg, which does make it tough. Soft track is perfect, and likely to be in firm condition to give this a red hot go with similar luck. Top chance and just a gritty sprinter who won't be far away.

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BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 1400m

TRADER / PETE'S PRIDE / CLUEDO LANE

TRADER is in a purple patch of form for Brian and Shane Anderton and they always had big wraps on the GHIBELLINES gelding. Punters haven't missed that fact after the strong galloper returned from a hiatus to win here over 1200m fresh up, before repeating the dose in mid January. Couldn't get the job done when going down to THE PRINCIE ONE at Wingatui last start and probably better off not being trapped in that inside gate. Home course advantage says Corey Campbell can deliver another top ride and go very close.

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PETE'S PRIDE has been ultra consistent for Lee Callaway and isn't out of this contest. Won exceptionally well over 1200m at Riccarton in November, then finished 2nd to a pretty good type at Trentham. Ran a solid 3rd behind the talented BRAVE SPIRIT at Wingatui last start and not done with yet. Not a blistering track record by any standard, although this is his pet distance. Came back in fine form, winning over 1200m at Riccarton then running a bold 2nd to FOREVERINTIME at Trentham. Improved wide for a 3rd at Wingatui, then just ok for 4th here after a slow start. Capable of pouncing late if race is run to suit and sure to be in the right condition to feature.

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CLUEDO LANE is also by the late White Robe Lodge sire GHIBELLINES and his offspring have really stepped up to honour their old man in recent times. Out of his depth in the TAB Mile but put in a fine effort when 2nd over the mile at Timaru in November. Finished 4th on the Synthetic, followed by a strong display when only just nabbed on the line by AFIRE back to the 1600m at Otago. Joseph Waldron hasn't overworked this horse, and he is the type who can be highly competitive in this.

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BEST BET: LOOSE SALLY

NEXT BEST: INSATIABLE

BEST VALUE: ELEGANT LADY

WILDCARD: MONAGHAN (R10)