G3 Taranaki Cup, NZ$85,000, 2000m
The Allan Sharrock-trained Our Hail Mary (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) is shooting for back-to-back stakes successes and looks the testing material having narrowly won the Listed Marton Cup at this track early last month.
The 6-year-old mare is searching for her ninth career win and has actually won twice at Awapuni and been placed on another occasion in her four appearances. She was a winner of the G3 Trentham S. 12 months ago, which looks superior form to many of her rivals.
In a capacity field, consistent mare Zola Express (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}), who is trained by Janelle Millar, is the main rival, coming off a third at Trentham last month and a win in the Listed Wanganui Cup in November. She will have to overcome barrier 13.
Top-weight Hypnos (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) has the class edge over his rivals but is without a win since a Group 2 win in November 2020. At 2000 metres, it’s also arguable that this race might be beyond his preferred distance range.
Legendary trainer John Wheeler has Beaudz Well (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) on a possible path to the G1 Sydney Cup and he resumes after running second in a trio of stakes races at the end of his last campaign. He has never won fresh but can figure at this distance against this class.
