It’s Manco Easter Handicap Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, an eight-race card headlined by the Manco Easter Handicap Day, alongside a strong supporting card. The track is rated a Soft6 with the rail in the true position, and with isolated showers forecast both leading into and during raceday, conditions are expected to hold in the Soft5–Soft6 range throughout.
Selections for each of the eight below:
Ortem Legacy (#8) resumed with a solid effort for 5th at Pukekohe over 1600m, where she was caught up in the early battle for the lead before taking a sit and sticking on well late thereafter. She should strip fitter for that outing and looks better suited stepping up to 2100m here second-up. From the inside draw she maps to hold a forward position again, likely settling just off the speed and getting every chance to run another competitive race.
Thumbelina (#12) broke through in impressive fashion at Pukekohe last start, doing it tough without cover before putting them away with authority, posting the fastest closing 600m and 400m of the meeting in doing so. She gets a much kinder draw this time and should be able to settle ahead of midfield with cover. She’s trending in the right direction and she can go on with the job here.
Out Of The Blue (#1) comes here fresh off an eight-week break following a fair effort for 2nd in the Matamata Slipper. His recent trial was very sharp, getting back before working through the line nicely once given a squeeze by Opie. From the wide draw, expecting he may be ridden conservatively early given the tempo underneath, and in what shapes as a genuinely run race, he should be charging home late.
Pokuru Gold (#3) resumes here after being last seen at Te Rapa in September, where he finishing down the track that day. He has trialled well in preparation for this, finding the line nicely under a hold. From the inside gate he should settle ahead of midfield on the fence, likely tracking his stablemate, Celestial Wonder, throughout. If the gaps appear at the right time, he looks capable of finishing over the top late.
Hakushu (#2) was just denied here last start over 1500m, launching late through the centre to only miss narrowly. That effort suggested he’s ready for the mile now, and he looks to get a similar setup from the middle draw. This looks a comparable field outside of the winner from last start, who doesn’t run here, and with a repeat effort he should be right in the finish again.
Glance (#12) had no luck here last start over 1600m, travelling strongly but never seeing clear air in the straight. She steps up to 2100m now, which looks ideal, and draws to get a soft run midfield with cover. With Michael McNab remaining aboard, expect he’ll look to get her into a rhythm and look to go through her gears late. She looks a progressive type who can bounce back and prove hard to beat. Looks a match race between the Savabeel fillies on paper, happy to be in her corner.
December (#6) has been building nicely this preparation, culminating with a solid 3rd in the Flying Handicap at Trentham last start. He finds himself very well suited on the minimum here and draws to get a perfect run from a low gate. The key query is whether he can run the mile, but with the right economical run in transit, he should get every chance to see it out.
Hankee Alpha (#5) didn’t quicken as sharply on a testing Heavy track last start at Te Aroha when seven weeks between runs. She should have taken improvement from that effort and is capable of much better than what we saw there. From the wide draw she will likely settle back off a strong tempo and look to be finishing off hard late. Should give this a big shake if she’s within striking range.