Ellerslie hosts an eight-race program this Wednesday, with the track rated a Soft5 and the rail out 9m. A mostly clear forecast in Auckland should see the surface remain in the Soft5 range early, with improvement likely through the day towards a Good4.
Selections for each of the eight below:
Perfect Chaos (#4) has been knocking on the door with three consecutive runner-up finishes to start her career and has shown plenty of ability in those three starts. She was only run down late at Te Rapa last start after doing work early and giving a strong sight in the straight. Back to 1100m looks ideal off that effort and she maps to roll forward again from the wide draw, likely settling outside the leader. Her race experience is a key edge here and she shapes as the one to beat.
| 4. Perfect Chaos (8) 55.5kg222 |
Miss Kipling (#11) resumes here after being last seen finishing down the track at Te Aroha back in November. She has trialled strongly since, showing good early speed with the blinkers applied, and they remain on for this first-up assignment. From the low draw she should take up a forward position and, in what looks an even race, it wouldn’t surprise if she gave a cheeky sight fresh.
| 11. Miss Kipling (4) 55.5kg07X |
The Spaniard (#2) comes into this off a game effort for 2nd here over a mile in R60 company. He now drops back to maiden grade for, where he looks very well placed tackling the maiden stayers. Being a son of Almanzor, the step to 2100m looks ideal, and he maps to secure a favourable run from the low draw under George Rooke. Looks to have everything in his favour here, should take plenty of beating.
| 2. The Spaniard (1) 58.5kg202 |
Altiplano (#2) resumes here after a fair effort at Te Aroha in February and has since trialled impressively on the synthetic, suggesting he’s returned in good order. While he may just prefer a synthetic surface, the trial indicates he’s forward enough to run a race here in a fresh state. He draws to get a soft run and with just 55kg after the claim, he looks a strong contender in an even maiden field.
| 2. Altiplano (4) 58.5kg226X8 |
Muchacha (#6) resumed with a tough effort for 4th at Hawera, where she covered ground throughout first-up off a break. She should take improvement from that run and the rise to 1400m second-up looks suitable. From the wide draw, expecting a more conservative ride this time, allowing her to settle back and produce one run late. Solid each way chance at the price.
| 6. Muchacha (8) 57.5kg0X4 |
Show Merican (#11) is best forgiven for her last start flop at Rotorua where she simply failed to handle the Heavy10 conditions. She should be much more comfortable back on better ground here and the step up in trip looks to suit. Her prior effort at Matamata over 1400m reads well for this and she is capable of a much-improved showing this time around.
| 11. Show Merican (8) 56.5kg35837 |
Erin Go Bragh (#6) resumes here after a spell, having last raced at Te Rapa in December. His recent synthetic track trial win was strong and suggested he has returned in good order. From the inside draw he should be able to take up a forward position. Handy horse on his day who should go close if he runs up to the recent trial.
| 6. Erin Go Bragh (1) 57kgX200X |
Stage Three (#6) is best forgiven for her last start at Te Rapa where she was caught wide and forced to work throughout on a strong tempo. She drops back into R60 company here and maps to secure a much more economical run from the low draw under George Rooke. In a very winnable race, she looks capable of sharp improvement.
| 6. Stage Three (3) 57.5kg8X230 |