Sound’s good for Cup
Ellerslie, G1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup, NZ$500,000, 3200m
Runner-up in this race 12 months ago, Sound (Ger) (Lando {Ger}) has deep reserves of stamina and he can put them to winning use here. He was a gallant second in the G2 Avondale Cup last time out and meets the winner 1.5kg better off.
Star Tsar (Fastnet Rock) was third on that occasion and the strapping 5-year-old doesn’t look like he will have any trouble mastering two miles and Platinum Invader (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) was third in this last year so he’s another well-credentialled candidate.
Swords Drawn (Camelot {GB}) was unplaced in the Avondale Cup, but he suffered an interrupted run and he looks like he has a decent race in him.
While Robusto (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) does meet Sound worse off at the weights, her chances can’t be denied as winning form is always good form and a chance at longer odds might be Lincoln King (NZ) (Shocking). A last-start miss aside, he has been racing well and 3200 metres looks within his range.
Defending champ looks good
Ellerslie, G1 Bonecrusher New Zealand S., NZ$200,000, 2000m
Avantage (Fastnet Rock) won this race last year and with four Group 1 wins on the bounce coming into this she is going to be terribly hard to beat.
Royal Performer (GB) (Medicean {GB}) won the G1 Herbie Dyke S. in fine style last time out and there’s nothing to suggest he’s not going to be ultra-competitive again.
Avantage’s stablemate Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) was an uncharacteristic failure in the Herbie Dyke and she is far too good to dismiss on a single failure. Her confidence will have also been lifted by a recent trial win.
Concert Hall (NZ) (Savabeel) is a quality mare who won the G1 Zabeel Classic over this course and distance on Boxing Day and in her only other subsequent appearance she ran sixth over 1400 metres. The step back up in trip will be ideal for her.
Follow Richards
Ellerslie, G1 Sistema S., NZ$200,000, 1200m
Trainer Jamie Richards looks to have the strongest hand to play here with On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau) and Sword Of State (Snitzel).
The former won the R. Listed Karaka Million and then played second fiddle to his stablemate in the G3 Waikato Stud Slipper. He will be fitter for the outing, although Sword Of State was impressive that day and On The Bubbles will have to be right at the top of his game.
Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}) has certainly lived up to her name and comes here unbeaten with a last-start victory in the G2 Matamata Breeders’ S. to her credit. She could be the thorn in the Te Akau side.
Magneto (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) won the G3 Woburn Farm Classic well enough to be playing a hand in this finish. Fonsalette (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) has yet to break her maiden, but two Group placings emphasises that she is a filly of some quality.
Empire to rule
Ascot, Listed Schweppes JC Roberts S., $100,000, 1800m
The talented Western Empire (Iffraaj {GB}) steps out again after demolishing his rivals here over a mile last fortnight. The way he found the line under light riding then suggests that he’s ready to step out in trip and from barrier five expect him to get every chance under leading local hoop Chris Parnham.
Holy Enchantment (Playing God) looms as the main danger to Western Empire. The Simon Miller-trained gelding can settle back in running from barrier two and work his way toward the outside lanes on straightening.
Flash Ducati (Blackfriars) found the line nicely to finish 5.5l behind Western Empire last start. Now fourth-up, expect him to be at peak fitness and working home hard again.
Solaia to bounce back
Ascot, Listed Natasha S., $100,000, 2200m
The ever-consistent Solaia (Toronado {Ire}) can make amends for her shock last-start defeat here over 1800 metres. The only knock is that she has been in work for a while, however she can dictate proceedings here out in front and use her fitness to set her rivals back in the field a task.
The lightly raced Pure Devotion (So You Think {NZ}) was excellent last-start, finishing 1l behind the second-placed Solaia in third. Now third-up, she looks set to peak stepping out over what should be a more suitable trip.
Stablemate Reliable Star (Reliable Man {GB}) looks a class operator after finishing in the money at her first four starts. Unlike Pure Devotion, this girl comes through weaker form lines, but appeals as a strong staying type.
Brave Angel (Tavistock {NZ}) hit the line hard last start to beat Solaia over 1800 metres. Trained by Simon Miller, the well-bred filly looks ready for 2200 metres third-up and will again be finding the line.
Socialising popular choice
Gold Coast, Listed Australian Turf Club Trophy, $125,000, 1400m
The Tony Gollan-trained Socialising (Bel Espirit) has been racing in superb form winning his last two races at Doomben. He presents here fifth-up and can prove hard to hold out with race fitness on his side.
Classy mare Vanna Girl (Husson {Arg}) resumes after a luckless spring campaign in Sydney and Melbourne. Dropping back in class she can return to the winner’s stall with luck in running from barrier seven.
Cult galloper The Candy Man (Casino Prince) has finished outside of the placings at his past four attempts after contesting competitive Sydney Group races. However, the Barry Baldwin-trained gelding is primed to bounce back to his best here first-up over a trip where he boasts three top two chances from as many starts.
Macewen (Rothesay) hit the line hard last start after being held up in transit, he sticks at 1400 metres and can measure up with fitness on his side.
