Ellerslie Tips & Preview | Saturday 5 September

Excite (#1) is a 3yo Wootton Bassett colt resuming here for the James/Wellwood stable, last seen at the races winning in fine fashion in Listed company as a 2yo at Te Rapa back in May. He has trialled recently behind open class horses on the Cambridge Synthetic, where he was striding out nicely to the line under his own steam. The outside gate is the main knock for him here given there doesn’t appear to be an abundance of early pressure, but hoping George Rooke rides him like the best horse and puts him in the race early. Can kick off his 3yo season with a bang. 

Fly My Wey (#2) comes here off a fair effort for 5th against many of the horses he meets again here, where he secured a soft trailing run but only let down fairly after being held up early in the straight. Happy to forgive that last-start effort and go again here, where he looks extremely well placed on the minimum with Michael McNab now taking over the riding duties. In a race devoid of early tempo, he looks very likely to be settling up on speed throughout from his low draw, which should see him afforded every chance. Expecting him to run an improved race here. 

Jamaican Boy (#12) comes here on the short turnaround from the Cambridge Synthetic meeting last week, where he was seen finishing off stoutly into a close-up 3rd. Prior to that he ran a mighty race for 3rd behind With Grace and Sweet But Psycho, which has stacked up as a good form reference since. Back on the turf suits and he should be better suited by the improved footing than most in this. Expect him to settle midfield with cover at worst from his low draw in what will likely only be a moderately run affair. Looks the one to beat in an even field. 

Pukana (#2) resumes here, last sighted racing here in May over 1500m where he didn’t quicken late and just battled on into 8th. He draws a nice low gate for his resumption, where I expect him to settle in the second half of the field with cover off a strong tempo being set out in front. 1100m may be a touch short of his best trip, but if they overdo it in front he possesses the turn of foot to finish over the top late if at his best. Can run a cheeky race at odds. 

Miss Magnetica (#14) heads here second-up off a simply luckless run last start at Te Rapa, where she was bolting for a run near the fence but never got clear running. She draws wide here and while that may see her settle back in the field, it should mean George Rooke has her in clear galloping room this time around. There looks to be a genuine tempo in this race, which should set up nicely for her to be finishing off over the top late. Looks a key chance in a very even MAAT field. 

Drommy (#1) was finding the line powerfully at Te Rapa last start, getting back in an evenly run race but putting in some good strides late to finish 2nd. He looks suited remaining at the mile here and importantly gets a positive swing in the barriers, which should see him settle much closer to the speed under George Rooke. The blinkers going on for this may only spark further improvement. Looks the one they have to beat with even luck in running. 

Dream Roca (#2) is a Queensland-based filly making the trek across the Tasman yet again for Liam Birchley, having won the Karaka Millions 2yo here back in January. She comes here first-up, last seen finishing well down the track in the Gr.1 JJ Atkins back in June. Her trials in Queensland ahead of this resuming run have only been fair, but the stable wouldn’t be making the trip if she wasn’t on song heading here. Drawn to settle not far from the speed throughout under Matt Cartwright and should get her chance to remain unbeaten in NZ. 

Tajana (#5) resumes here as a 4yo for the Ritchie/Murray stable, having raced against the best 3yos going around last season. She was last seen finishing 8th in the Gr.1 NZ Oaks back in March, but had finished a close-up 3rd behind Ohope Wins and Single Red in Gr.2 fillies company prior. She has had a quiet trial on the Cambridge Synthetic to ready her for this assignment, where she wasn’t asked for much of an effort. Sam McNab’s 2kg claim is a big plus and sees her carry just 55.5kg here. Expecting her to settle midfield on the fence from her low draw before looking to finish off strongly late. 

Well Written (#15) resumes here as an unbeaten 4yo mare, having won all six of her starts as a 3yo last season and narrowly holding off Belle Cheval in the NZB Kiwi at her last start back in March. She has had the benefit of two trials ahead of this campaign, the latest of which she was asked for an effort by Matt Cartwright and responded nicely. She draws an ideal gate for her resumption, where she should be able to float forward and find a position a pair or two back from the speed. Looking to extend her perfect record to seven from seven and should take plenty of beating here. 

The Precursor (#2) is a lightly tried 6yo son of St Jean resuming for the James/Wellwood stable, last sighted finishing 6th in the Gr.2 Avondale Cup back in February. He resumes here over a mile, which is possibly a touch short of his best, but he has performed very well over this trip in the past. He has trialled nicely ahead of his resumption, hitting the line strongly under very little pressure. Abinith Simon’s 4kg claim helps offset the sizeable 61kg impost also. He is likely on a path towards a NZ Cup in November but can run a cheeky race in a fresh state.