Te Rapa Tips & Preview | Friday 25 September

Gate Crashers (#3) weakened out of it last start at Ellerslie after settling up on speed throughout, fading into 10th. He comes here second-up and looks suited by the step up in trip, and he maps to lead this time from a nice low gate, and may just need to hold off an early challenge from Allaces. Can run these into the ground if he finds the front. 

Russian Prime (#15) comes here at just start number three for Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray. She closed off nicely from the back of the field last start at Ruakaka, fighting on well for 5th after a wide run in transit. Kyle Wilson-Taylor takes the reins, and from a nice low gate she maps to settle ahead of midfield with cover. Now back on more even footing, she should take some beating in this. 

Top Marks (#15) is a 3yo St Mark’s Basilica colt on debut for Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray, and he’s trialled nicely ahead of this. He was held up at his latest hit-out at Ellerslie but was strong through the line once clear. George Rooke takes the reins, and he maps to settle back in the field from a nice low gate. Can run a big race on debut. 

Sweet Ice (#1) comes here third-up for the locally-based David Greene stable. He was a touch one-paced when the sprint went on turning for home last start at Ellerslie, finishing 4th. Warren Kennedy rides again, and from a middle barrier he maps to settle handy to the speed again here. Can run a much-improved race back on his home track. 

Party Time (#10) sat off the speed and fought well in the straight last start at Ellerslie, doing so having to race four-wide without cover for the duration, and still stuck on bravely for 3rd. Michael McNab takes over from the wide gate and I’m hoping he can ride her neutrally early given there looks to be an abundance of speed drawn underneath her. Thought she could finish off over the top of these late with some luck early. 

Shalabiya (#5) looked a touch flat-footed when the sprint went on turning for home last start at Ruakaka, unable to reel in the winner as a very short-priced favourite that day. She comes here third-up and has had the benefit of a trial since her last start, which was a very sharp piece of work. Warren Kennedy takes the ride again, and from a middle barrier she maps to settle just behind the speed. Can bounce back and go one better here. 

Lachie (#12) resumes here, last seen finishing 4th in Open Handicap company at Ellerslie back in May. He’s had the benefit of a recent quiet yet impressive hit-out at the trials earlier this month. Elen Nicholas jumps aboard from a handy barrier, and he maps to settle back of midfield in what should be a genuinely run race. Could be one finishing off hard late, and looks an each-way chance at long odds. 

Willydoit (#12) was a touch one-paced when the sprint went on turning for home from a midfield position last start in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate at Ellerslie, finishing back in the pack that day. He comes here second-up in a much lesser field, and looks very well weighted carrying just 54kg with George Rooke aboard. He maps to settle midfield from a nice inside gate. Can run a vastly improved race back in this company. 

Pulsatilla (#8) never saw daylight last start at Ellerslie, going to the line untested and finishing well back in the field as a consequence. She comes here second-up, and Kyle Wilson-Taylor retains the ride from the wide gate, where she maps to settle back of midfield. Looks well over the odds at the price, and she can go close with a cleaner run in transit this time.