Trekking on target
Ascot G1 Crown Perth Winterbottom S., $1,000,000, 1200m
Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}) is clearly the top-rated runner in the field so is best-suited to the weight-for-age conditions. He also has the form on the board with a pair of Group 1 seconds from his last three starts so is expected to take a power of beating.
Vital Silver (Wanted) was runner-up in this race last year behind Hey Doc (Duporth) and has been sound in his last two appearances while Stageman (Written Tycoon) is also racing well.
He came from well back to finish runner-up in the G3 Colonel Reeves S. on a heavy track and better underfoot conditions will help his cause.
Red Can Man (Gingerbread Man) is ultra-consistent and comes back from a mile in the G1 Railway S., in which he ran fourth, and is a three-time winner at this trip.
Celebrity Queen (Redoute’s Choice) won the Colonel Reeves in fine style and a repeat performance puts her right in the frame again. Indian Pacific (Zoustar) is a progressive type with six wins from nine appearances and capable of giving another fine sight.
Essential Spice (Gingerbread Man) is an honest mare with place hopes while Valour Road (Frost Giant {USA}) might be the best upset chance. His course and distance statistics are strong and if he gets a soft run can make an impact.
Royal prospect
Ascot, Listed Peoplestart Tattersall’s Cup, $100,000, 2100m
Royal Command (Street Sense {USA}) has placed in both starts this preparation and third-up should be ready to strike winning form. He was third last time out in the Listed Ascot Gold Cup and will appreciate a better surface.
Tellem We’re Comin (Blackfriars) finished fifth in that race and is also up to a more suitable distance and looks a strong chance. Saucy Jack (Anacheeva) has been racing well in the lower grades and is well-seasoned for the step up to black type company.
Spiritual Warrior
Spiritual Warrior (Blackfriars) was never a factor in the G1 Railway S., and this is a more suitable assignment for the past second-up winner while Arctic Stream (High Chaparral {Ire}) will appreciate the middle distance. Media Baron (Written Tycoon) has a good record on the track and an each way hope.
Vadavar one to beat
Ellerslie, G3 Eagle Technology S., NZ$70,000, 1600m
Vadavar (Fr) (Redoute’s Choice) was third in the G1 Livamol Classic and also in the G3 Jarden S. last time out. He does drop back in distance here, but has been kept fresh and a strong gallop will help his chances.
Genuine tempo is highly likely with The Mitigator (Master of Design) in the line-up and he’s in good touch following his all-the-way win at Awapuni.
Demonetization (All Too Hard) has been consistent this preparation and any softening of the ground will help. Tiptronic (NZ) (Pins) failed in the Livamol off a tricky gate and is certainly worth affording another chance to.
Charles Road (Myboycharlie {Ire}) and Sultan Of Swing (NZ) (Bachelor Duke {USA}) both ran well in the Jarden and in with a shout on those efforts and Gino Severini (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) has been racing well in easier company and a step up to a mile might help him make an impression in a tougher grade.
Further success beckons
Ellerslie, Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial 3YO, NZ$50,000, 1500m
Tellall (Spill The Beans) has beaten the older horses at his last two appearances so against his own age group he looks well-placed to complete a hat-trick of wins.
Il Affare (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) is also undefeated in her last two starts and was particularly impressive at her most recent outing while stablemate Helsinki (NZ) (Savabeel) has yet to win, but does look a quality filly and the mile will suit her.
Grip (Exosphere), Montre Moi (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) and Fleetwood Macca (NZ) (Rock ‘N’ Pop) both broke out of maiden ranks well enough to consider, as did Bari (NZ) (Proisir), although he’ll need luck from a wide gate. Milford (NZ) (Savabeel) is a promising colt who looks suited to 1600 metres.
Poised to go one better
Wanganui, Listed Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup, NZ$50,000, 2040m
Hunta Pence (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}) was runner-up in this last year and he will appreciate the step up in trip while Sir Nate (NZ) (Nadeem) bounced back to his best last time out with a strong open handicap success at Awapuni.
Obsessive (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) has improved with recent racing and was a sound third in the Listed Fielding Gold Cup and a definite hope on that run. Nymphe Monte (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) was fifth in that race and while he is now a 9-year-old there was enough in that effort to suggest he will be competitive.
A last-start failure aside, Hi I’m Nikkita (NZ) (He’s Remarkable {NZ}) has been racing well and Duplicity (Duporth) is a proven stayer and two lead-up runs should have him ready to give a strong account of himself.
Duplicity (Blue silks)
Sense of timing
Morphettville, Listed Roadside Services City Of Marion S., $100,000, 1200m
Prophet’s Thumb (I Am Invincible) has been racing soundly without winning and is presented with an opportunity for an overdue success here. She was a black type placegetter in her only previous start on the course.
Savatoxl (Kuroshio) was an easy last-start winner under 60kg so he looms as a major player again and Too Good Too Hard (All Too Hard) is racing particularly well and deserving of a major breakthrough off a string of placed runs.
Lakhani Rose (Dalakhani {Ire}) has a tidy record and has performed well when fresh before while stablemate Trip (Good Journey {USA}) by contrast is seasoned and in good touch. I Remember You (Written Tycoon) was a handy fourth resuming and his record suggests he is more of a second-up force.
