RACE 1 - 1400m MAIDEN

CHICA / MISISSIPI GAMBLER / TULSA TURNAROUND

The Wexford trained CHICA was a fair 5th on debut, however, the SUPER SETH filly should strip in firm condition and better for the experience. Cruised along in her last jumpout at Avondale and she did look very smooth in her action without being pressured. Should go very close wearing the Waikato Stud colours and a royal chance to open her account for the astute stable.

Team Foote present the ACE HIGH mare MISISSIPI GAMBLER who did well on debut despite encountering some difficulties. Looks a good chance to redeem herself with the dam being from a ZABEEL mare, so expect Vinny Colgan to be driving her home late.

TULSA TURNAROUND from the Paul Richards barn is certainly one to keep an eye on with Masa taking the reins. Won on the Heavy in his first trial, before being held up on the final turn over 1200m on debut at Taupo. The CIRCUS MAXIMUS filly is out of a KEEPER mare in SULTRY ASSASSION, so possibly more rain is a good thing.

RACE 2 - 1200n MAIDEN

FLASHBACK / BIDING MY TIME / SYRACUSE

Marsh has in the DARCI BRAHMA gelding FLASHBACK in who won all three trials before being run down by the impressive PANTHER on debut. Looks very well-positioned with Opie Bosson in the saddle and might just come out here and blow them off the park, although the Greene runner might have something to say about that.

David Greene has come to the fore recently scoring a G1 and his three-year-old filly BIDING MY TIME can go one better in this smallish field. The daughter of CIRCUS MAXIMUS trialled up very nicely before over-racing a bit when 2nd to WRITTEN GLOW over 1100m on debut at Taupo. Few weeks between runs, so hopefully more settled and can win.

Donna Logan has an interesting SWISS ACE filly in SYRACUSE on debut and its worth being wary of any new horse she brings to the races. Has trialled up ok, gets the 3kg Hassman claim, but could be one to just watch this time. Big run fresh out of the box wouldn't surprise as the Soft conditions could suit.

RACE 3 - 1100m MAIDEN

THUMBELINA / BUCCINO / PORTLAND

The PER INCANTO filly THUMBELINA from the Walker/Berg barn does appear a strong prospect here as the team have taken their sweet time with this filly. Finished 6th on debut back in May, although won a recent trial and looks set to break her maiden quickly. Grylls likely to press on early, so should prove hard to haul in.

We liked the look of BUCCINO at Matamata and the LONHRO mare did a good job to finish into 3rd. Never really far away in most contests for a horse that prefers to be up front, but will need to find that bit extra if pressed forward. Some trust required, although the 2kg claim and Soft 7 should assist.

PORTLAND is just another quality looking Marsh runner who is coming off two 2nd placings at New Plymouth on wet tracks. Can get on it early being out of the speed sire BANQUO, but unsure if the filly can find that extra kick required to beat the favourite. Still appears in it and the odds are fair enough.

RACE 4 - 2100m MAIDEN

THE RITZ / IRISH FLUTE / SARRACINA

We were interested in the Wexford stayer THE RITZ last start and the ALMANZOR filly ran a much improved race for 4th over 1800m at Taupo, despite being held up in the straight. More room here and they may have turned the corner with this girl. Still learning and first try at a proper staying trip, so worth the risk in our estimation.

The other three-year-old ALMANZOR filly in IRISH FLUTE seems to hold similar potential and is also still learning her craft, but she got closer for 4th over 1800m at New Plymouth last start and looks to be working things out. Looms as a serious threat.

We'll stick by SARRACINA, who has let us down recently, but the TARZINO mare has been running at big odds and far from terrible in good fields. Improving with each run, so if Elliot can utilise this inside gate and not get her trapped away, then possibly runs on very strongly. At a big price again, although suitably fit and we just like the horse as an upset chance.

RACE 5 - 2100m BENCHMARK 65

VENDEBELLE / FASTDEELDUN / INCREDIBLE

The Kelso stayer VENDEBELLE gets in well here, and if you can forgive that last run, her prior formline reads ok. The DUNDEEL mare got it right to break her maiden over 2100m at Tauranga in Dec, then stuck well back at Ellerslie and never in it. Can do a few things wrong, but if Masa can settle early then a bounce back performance is possible.

FASTDEELDUN gets out in trip despite being just plain awful last start. Nevertheless, willing to forgive as held up badly rounding the final turn and lost all momentum. Wetter the better after winning at Matamata in June and a nice 3rd over 1400m at Rotorua in strong company in December. Should fear few here and looms as a major player.

At the top of the page, Cartwright will steer INCREDIBLE from the O'Sullivan/Scott yard, and this ALMANZOR gelding could be ready to strike 3rd-up. Won at Taupo in Dec 2024, then not seen for a while, although this field appears much easier than recent attempts and might not get a better chance. Trusting the stable to have him well prepped.

RACE 6 - 1600m MAIDEN

ARTHUR / ELECTRIC ANGEL / LAURA

The Pike-trained ARTHUR will jump super hot fave here and will take some beating over the trip. The CAMELOT gelding was 3rd to THAT'S GOLD who won the Bonecrusher, 3rd to DAY ONE at Ellerslie and a bold 5th to TOWERING VISION there after racing three wide. Will take a power out of those contests with Opie aboard a big plus.

Don't believe the Marsh runner ELECTRIC ANGEL can match the favourite over the mile, although the HARRY ANGEL filly pressed on well for 2nd to LUNAMAN over 1400m at Tauranga on debut and should only improve into this. Bred to be a powerful galloper, so does pose a threat if Marsh can extract a bit more from her.

Not sure what to take from the first up effort of the Wexford trained LAURA, as this ALMANZOR filly went forward early and weakened in the run home. If Doyle can settle into a nice midfield position this time, then she could possibly fire up late with something in reserve.

RACE 7 - 1600m BENCHMARK 65

QUONDO / LERADO / ANOTHER FLOOZIE

QUONDO has been running in super strong three-year-old company and hasn't really disappointed despite getting bashed out of it in the Levin Classic at Trentham last start. Won easily on the Heavy at Matamata in September, then 2nd to MAGIC CARPET in the Hawkes Bay Guineas. Just needs to stay out of trouble and Opie on instead of Matt Cameron is a major boost. Will go very close being a WOOTTON BASSETT protégé.

The Marsh runner LERADO can be a bit of an enigmatic type, and he completely blew the start last time at Ellerslie before a massive run to power up late. Got much closer, but crap starts does cause an issue, although has the late burst of speed to rush up late and swamp them. Our first choice at big odds last start and still at a fantastic price here. Big risk, but extra good on his day. Good track is preferable.

ANOTHER FLOOZIE won like a good horse last start and there's no doubting this SAVABEEL mare is bred to be good. Only beginning to show it now as a more mature four-year-old, so another big effort running into it late wouldn't shock. Will need to find a higher level of performance this time in.

RACE 8 - 1600m MAIDEN

KUDOS / COSMIC PURSUIT / ROB'S MISTAKE

We really think KUDOS should be winning the last and being by BELARDO, some give in the track could suit. Only fair in the four runs back before chasing home RELENTLESS for 2nd at Ruakaka despite Fawcett dropping the whip near the 200m. Well fit, so should give this a shove sticking at the mile.

The Pike runner COSMIC PURSUIT could end up being a very talented horse, and being by ZOUSTAR comes right into calculations in this. Debut run for 4th at Rotorua displayed future potential, so with a positive Elliot ride we could see the gelding finish much closer this time, or even take it out.

ROB'S MISTAKE is a little underrated and shouldn't mind getting her feet wet being by RELIABLE MAN. Has yet to make a serious impact, although never that far away in most runs and 3rd-up up could be ready to produce her best. Possibly a Heavy track by the last brings the mare right into the picture.

BEST BET: ARTHUR

NEXT BEST: QUONDO

BEST VALUE: TULSA TURNAROUND

WILDCARD: SARRACINA