Five-peat
Ellerslie, R. Listed Doubletree By Hilton Karaka Million 2YO, NZ$1,000,000, 1200m
Te Akau Racing will be looking to bring up their fifth consecutive win in this race with four key chances.
Millefiori (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) goes into the race undefeated having won two starts, including last start when she showcased a terrific turn of foot to run home strongly and defeat a number of key rivals in this race. Drawn barrier five, she should get the perfect run and be hard to beat.
Second-favourite On The Bubbles (NZ) (Brazen Beau) is also undefeated from two starts but his chances took a significant blow when he drew barrier 15 of 17. However, his last win was very impressive scooting home by 3l but he will need a lot of luck in running.
Follow Your Dreams (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) is already very experienced having raced four times and posting two wins to begin his career. He finished second in similar company two starts ago but will also need some luck from barrier 11.
Avonallo (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) has hardly put in a bad run in his four career starts with two seconds, a win and then finishing fourth in a Group 2 at his most recent outing. He has drawn fairly with barrier nine and should be thereabouts at the finish.
Sneaky Shark (NZ) (Capitalist) and Sophisticardo (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}), both representing Te Akau Racing, put in good runs last start despite not featuring in the money.
Sophisticardo won his first start over 800 metres in October before stepping up to 1100 metres last start and is seeming to appreciate the extra ground, while Sneaky Shark is yet to win from three starts he was only 1.8l off Millefiori last start after settling last and having to do all the work in the straight.
Two-horse battle
Ellerslie, R. Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic, NZ$1,000,000, 1600m
G2 Eight Carat Classic winner Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) and G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) are the two clear standouts of the race and are set to go head-to-head for the first time.
Both horses have had three starts each and have only been beaten once between them with Amarelinha running second by 0.1l on debut back in November.
Aegon came away from the draw with the more favourable barrier of four, while Amarelinha drew 11, however Aegon likes to get back and run on so he will need to be able to avoid the traffic in the straight if he is to win.
Zee Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) is the next best chance in the race after taking out the G3 Wellington S. on Boxing Day. He has never clashed with either Aegon or Amarelinha so it’s hard to know how he will match up against the pair but he has drawn well with barrier three.
Bella Button (NZ) (Proisir) was an impressive 1.8l winner over 1500 metres last start and has drawn well with barrier seven, while Montre Moi (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) is undefeated from three starts, albeit in weaker races.
Railway redemption
Ellerslie, G2 Westbury Classic, NZ$100,000, 1400m
Levante (NZ) (Proisir) comes into the race after finishing 1.1l away in third in the G1 Railway S. and is the clear favourite for this race. She has drawn the widest barrier in 10 but she likes to settle towards the tail of the field anyway, and she should be hard to beat.
Showoroses (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) has won her last two starts in a row at Group 2 level and likes to lead so barrier one is a big plus for her.
Travelling Light (NZ) (El Roca) is resuming from a break but she has a great first-up record, has won over this course and has drawn very well with barrier three.
Star Of Bombay (NZ) (Atlante) has never finished outside of the top four in 10 career starts, so expect her to be there at the finish, while Kiwi Ida (Squamosa) was only narrowly beaten last start but this is a tougher task.
Back in trip
Ellerslie, G3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy, NZ$70,000, 1200m
Need I Say More (NZ) (No Nay Never {USA}) has won four times from six career starts, but after running sixth to Aegon when stepping up to 1600 metres last start, he will drop back down to his favoured distance of 1200 metres here.
Second favourite Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard) is also resuming from a break and she won comfortably by 4.3l first-up last time around. She likes to race close to the speed so she will need some luck from barrier nine, but she is a talented filly.
While she is still a a maiden, Helsinki (NZ) (Savabeel) has been knocking on the door of a win having placed five times from seven starts and she will get every chance here from barrier two, while Maria Farina (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) is undefeated from two starts but this is a big step up in grade.
Well at the weights
Ellerslie, G3 Brighthill Farm Concorde H., NZ$70,000, 1200m
Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) has won three and finished second from four career starts with two wins over 1200 metres so this trip is ideal for her. She is not known for being a frontrunner so barrier one could make things tricky but she gets in well at the weights with 53kgs.
Festivity (NZ) (I Am Invincible) has also only been beaten once in five career starts and gets into the race with 53kgs. She is resuming off a 70-day break but she has a good fresh record and has drawn favourably with barrier two.
Julius (NZ) (Swiss Ace) finished 0.3l behind Avantage (Fastnet Rock) last start but has been penalised in the weights for that and will have to carry the top-weight of 60kgs. Jumping from barrier 12 will also make it a tough task for the 9-year-old to win.
Wide open
Gore, Listed Liquorland Gore Guineas, NZ$50,000, 1335m
In a wide-open race, The Gift (NZ) (Power {GB}) has won her last three starts over distances from 1200 metres so 1400 metres so this race should be to her liking, but she has drawn barrier 12 so she will need some luck in running.
Chokito (NZ) (Vespa {NZ}) has won three times and finished second from her last five starts but will be tested by a step-up in trip from 1200 metres. She has drawn well with barrier three but the distance will be the main query.
Ocean Point (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) was a comfortable winner over 1200 metres last start and has drawn well with barrier two, while Grand Gesture (NZ) (El Roca) finished third last start and was 10.3l off The Gift first-up over 1200 metres.
Change of luck
Randwick, Listed Fujitsu General Carrington S., $150,000, 1400m
Bandersnatch (Casino Prince) has been unlucky in his last two starts after a good win at Moonee Valley but after drawing well with barrier two, he is the standout favourite.
Chat (Deep Field) was only 1.4l behind subsequent R. Listed Magic Millions Cup winner Eleven Eleven (Fastnet Rock) last start after having to settle at the tail of the field and make up ground late. He has drawn much more favourably this start with barrier five and will be able to take a closer position.
Order Again (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) was a dominant winner over 1550 metres first-up this campaign and was racing well in stakes company in his last campaign without winning, while Passage Of Time (Northern Meteor) and Quackerjack (Not A Single Doubt) are both talented horses on their day but have been out of the winner’s stall for a while.
