One to remember
Ballarat, Listed Sportsbet Ballarat Cup, $500,000, 2000m
Affair To Remember (Toronado {Ire}) is a quality staying mare and emphasised by her last-start victory in the G2 Matriarch S. at Flemington. A similar effort would make her a leading player again.
So Si Bon (So You Think {NZ}) gained an overdue success in the G3 Eclipse S. while barnmate Harlem (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) will appreciate the drop back in class following his sound run for fifth in the G1 Mackinnon S.
Affair To Remember
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace look to hold a potent hand in this with Junipal (Rest) and Al Galayel (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). The former was a dominant winner of the G3 Sandown S. last time out while his stablemate has won three of his last four starts.
Kings Will Dream (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) bounced back to something like his best when third in the G1 Turnbull S. following a couple of indifferent displays while noted free-goer Our Big Mike (NZ) (Don Eduardo {NZ}) could be an upset chance if he’s left alone in front.
Super prospect
Pukekohe, G2 Dunstan Feeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ S., NZ$100,000, 1400m
Supera (NZ) (Savabeel) was in fine touch earlier in the spring when second in the G1 Tarzino Trophy and then closed late for sixth in the G1 Windsor Park Plate. She has had a recent run at the trials and should prove hard to roll.
Supreme Heights (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) has a form line that is hard to fault with three consecutive wins and two at Group 3 level. She too has been to the trials since last racing and will be a major threat if left alone in front.
Supera (NZ)
Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) has been freshened and has the class to make her a player and the same applies to Media Sensation (I Am Invincible), who also has a winning first-up victory.
Yearn (NZ) (Savabeel) has been a touch below par in recent runs, but at her best is a definite winning hope and Familia (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) was a tidy lower grade winner last time out and was a stakes performer last term.
Distance to suit
Pukekohe, G3 Franklin Auctions Counties Cup, NZ$100,000, 2100m
Savy Yong Blonk (NZ) (Savabeel) made ground well for sixth in the G3 Thompson H. over a mile and she will be ideally-suited to the step up to a middle distance.
Pinmedown (NZ) (Pins) produced an encouraging last-start performance in the Listed Karaka Classic when an unlucky sixth. She would have finished closer with a clear run in the straight and has to be respected.
Pinmedown (NZ)
Stablemate On The Rocks (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) put in a better effort for seventh in the G3 Jarden S. and as that was his first run over ground for a while can improve again while Paisley Park (NZ) (Azamour {Ire}) was luckless last time out and a previous win is a better guide to his chances.
Grand Bouquet (NZ) (Savabeel), Star Tsar (Fastnet Rock) and Swords Drawn (Camelot {GB}) all stay well, are in form and off the minimum can make their presence felt with a handy pull in the weights.
Reverse result on cards
Pukekohe, Listed Fasttrack Insurance 2YO S., NZ$50,000, 1100m
Quattro Quinta (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) was a smart debut winner and was then runner-up to Miss Ipenema (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}), a race rival again, but has drawn inside the filly this time and that may be enough to turn the tables.
Beldarra (Hinchinbrook) has looked good winning both of her trials and has the benefit of the inside gate while Cherokee Warrior (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) was a sound last-start third to Miss Ipenema at Te Rapa and didn’t have the best of runs.
Magneto (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) is another unbeaten triallist to consider while the race day experience of King Of Reds (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) and Brix (NZ) (Sweynesse) will help their causes.
Hat-trick beckons for sprinter
Pukekohe, Listed Haunui Farm Counties Bowl, NZ$50,000, 1100m
Dawn Patrol (Dawn Approach {Ire}) is bidding to complete a hat-trick of wins and looks up to that challenge as he will drop 4kg on his latest success.
Julius (NZ) (Swiss Ace) is a class sprinting act, but hasn’t been helped by a horror gate and a better chance may be a fresh Pretty To Sea (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), who has won three times off a break.
Summer Passage (Snitzel) was an impressive winner when resuming and should be open to further improvement and Levante (NZ) (Proisir) is a talented mare and has to be respected. So does the unbeaten Only In Jakarta (Snitzel) who looks a black-type winner in waiting.
