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Mares contest for G1 glory at Te Aroha

Te Aroha, G1 Fiber Fresh NZ Thoroughbred Breeders S. $200,000, 1600m

Volpe Veloce (Foxwedge) gets her chance to add a second Group 1 to her resume when she takes on an even field of mares in the Thoroughbred Breeders S.

A winner of the G1 Sistema Railway S. in 2018, the Graham Richardson and Gavin Parker mare has been a wonderful money spinner for connections, winning 12 of her 24 starts and nearly $640,000.

She comes off a last-start win in the G2 International Trophy at Tauranga, having found open class weight-for-age Group 1 racing a bit rich at her two previous starts. Her record up against her own sex is excellent, including her win in the G2 Westbury Classic at Ellerslie in January.

The Roger James and Robert Wellwood trained Concert Hall (NZ) (Savabeel) has powered through her classes and stepped up to win her first stakes race in the G3 Cuddle S at Trentham last start. She has now won five of nine and looks the most progressive of Volpe Veloce's rivals.

Luvaluva (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) returns from Australia, having finished second in her most recent start at Group 3 level. She is a quality mare who is four weeks between runs which may count against her.

Supera (NZ) (Savabeel) took on Group 1 weight for age company last start and was found wanting on a sticky track at Otaki, Back to her own sex and on firmer ground, she can measure up, having shown her class when am impressive winner of the G3 Anniversary Hcp at Trentham back in January.

Stakes double at Riccarton

Riccarton Park, Listed NZB Airfreight S. $50,000, 1600m

Emily Margaret (NZ) (Pins) is searching for a hat-trick of wins, having won the G2 Wellington Guineas and Listed NZB Insurance S. at her past two runs. On level weights, the Kevin and Pam Hughes trained filly looks hard to beat.

Secret Allure (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) has been freshened up after campaigning over longer distances earlier this campaign and does boast some strong form over the 1600m including a win in the G3 Desert Gold S. at Trentham in January.

Riccarton Park, Christchurch Casino Easter Cup, $50,000, 1600m

Consistent mare Contessa Vanessa (NZ) (Bullbars) gets her chance to add some more black-type in what looks a winnable Easter Cup. Since her win in the G3 Sunline Vase last March, she has been placed three times in stakes company, including a third in the G3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders' S. over this track and distance last start.

Residential ((NZ) (Pins) won that race and is looking for a hat-trick of wins, but is 1kg worse off than her chief rival here. Group 1 winner Shadows Cast (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) brings the class into the race but must lug 60kg.

WA 2YOs chase Karrakatta cash

Ascot, G2 Amelia Park Karrakatta Plate, $500,000, 1200m

WA's top 2-year-old race headlines action as Ascot and with no dominant juvenile this season, it looks as an open contest.

Jericho Missile (Smart Missile), has only been beaten once in three starts, with the David Harrison gelding tipped out narrowly by Beethoven (Helmet) last start. He is the top seed having won the WA Magic Millions race at Pinjarra two starts back.

Behind him that day was the filly Niccovi (Nicconi), who has been done no favours by the draw here again and is likely to get back and try and swoop home over the top of them from barrier 15.

Her Simon Miller stablemates Rio Del Mar (Magnus) and Amelia's On Fire (Sizzling) finished in front of her last time, and from barrier one, Rio Del Mar should enjoy a good run.

Beethoven boasts that win over Jericho Missile but comes from barrier 14, which adversely impacts his chances of settling up near the pace as he prefers.

Comin' for glory

Ascot Listed Old Comrade S. $100,000, 1600m

William Pike rides both favourites in the Ascot stakes races, with Tellem We're Comin (Blackfriars) placed at stakes level his past two and seemingly well-placed to add some black type in this race.

Variation (War Chant {USA}) who beat him home when second in the Listed Grandstand Cup, looks his chief rival along with Mizlecki (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who was fourth in that race.

Weetwood centre stage in Queensland

Toowoomba, Listed Audi Centre Weetwood Hcp, $150,000, 1200m

Toowoomba takes centre stage with its biggest day of the year highlighted by the Listed Weetwood Hcp.

Local trainer Ben Currie prepares the favourite Mishani Hustler (Exceedingly Good), who has reeled off a hat-trick of recent wins in Brisbane, the latest over the 1200m at Eagle Farm to take his record to seven wins from 11 starts. He really is in rare form at the moment and given he makes his own luck either on or outside the pace, should prove hard to run down,

Mr Marbellouz (Love Conquers All) has also built up an impressive winning record and while he was beaten into fifth in his first try in stakes company in the Listed Goldmarket S. at the Gold Coast last time out, can measure up here. He is another likely to sit near the front of the field in what should be a race run at a good tempo.

Likely to be sitting off that pace is Chris Waller's mare Sexy Eyes (Written Tycoon) who elevated herself to black-type company last time in. She may need a run or two to find her best this time in, but will be finishing off hard. Tyzone (Written Tycoon), who upset Mr Marbellouz last time out, will also be one of those coming home late.

More stakes success for Hellova?

Caulfield, Listed Ladbrokes Anniversary Vase, $140,000, 1400m

Tasmanian star Hellova Street (Helike {USA}) is looking for an amazing 11th stakes win when he fronts up at Caulfield for what looks a suitable 1400m race for him. Outpointed by Widgee Turf (Turffontein) at Flemington last time, he is yet to register a win in six starts at Caulfield.

Mick Price's progressive 5-year-old Heptagon (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) looks his main rival having strolled in in the Echuca Cup last time out. It is his first try at stakes grade however. The consistent mare Nantaali (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {IRE}) is another leading chance.