Hastings, G1 Tarzino Trophy, NZ$220,000, 1400m
With Avantage (Fastnet Rock), who was ready to win her 10th G1 race, now scratched, the field opens up for this Group 1 event. The winner last year was Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante - son of Fastnet Rock) who again takes his place, again looking a top chance on the back on outstanding trial form.
Spring Tide (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) could not have been more impressive bolting in at Wanganui first-up whilst Dragon Leap (Pierro), the dual Group 2-winning half-brother to Australian Group 1 galloper Inference is looking to find the form that saw him prove to be one of the 2019/20 season's better 3-year-olds.
Hastings, G3 Gold Trail S., NZ$80,000, 1200m
On the back of a determined first-up victory in the G3 Breeders' S. the unbeaten Australian bred Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) is a top chance to go on her merry winning way on Saturday.
Winner of the G2 Matamata Breeders' S. in late February, the Group 1-placed Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}) looks the logical danger with a recent trial second splitting I Wish I Win (Savabeel) and On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau) a nice lead-up for this.
Farrenc (NZ) (Dalghar {Fr}) is also shaping well, the half-sister to Listed winner Paisley Park (NZ) finishing off nicely when a first-up third behind Imperatriz.
Hastings, Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy, NZ$60,000, 1200m
A race shaping as a match in two with I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) and Turn The Ace (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) dominating the early markets.
A half-brother to the Group 3 winner Another Dollar (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), I Wish I Win showed plenty of heart when only just shaded in Group 3 company last time out and back in April he was only just beaten by On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau) in the G1 Manawatu Sires' Produce S.
Turn The Ace, the first stakes winner for the triple Group 1-winning Iffraaj (GB) stallion Turn Me Loose is yet to taste defeat from two starts and looks set for a bold first-up showing whilst Doubtful Sound (Not A Single Doubt) can improve of his first-up G3 Breeders' S. fourth which saw him wanting to over-race early.
Riccarton, Listed Canterbury Belle S., NZ$60,000, 1200m
Art de Triomphe (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) and Synchronize (NZ) (Savabeel) are fighting out favouritism with the former so strong to the line when resuming at Ashburton, impressing off an awkward start that saw her lose early ground. Bred on an interesting 3 X 3 cross of Peintre Celebre (USA) out of the Group 3 mare Art Beat (NZ) (Captain Rio {GB}), she hails from a family that has already enjoyed feature race success this year; the G1 Goodwood H. winner Savatoxl (Kuroshio).
Synchronize is also well related and promising, the granddaughter of the dual Group 1 winner Legs (NZ) (Pins) resuming having won nicely at her Matamata debut in late March. She has been trialling nicely in the lead-up with a bold showing expected.
There looks to be two main dangers to the leading pair; the maidens Mochatini (Your Song) who is first-up, trialling well after showing good promise during her first two brief campaigns and Irish Red (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) who has been in the placings at each of her first three starts.
