Ellerslie Tips & Preview | Saturday 17 October

Los Santos (#1) comes here off a 3rd at Hastings last start, where he sustained a long run wide without cover from back of midfield and only peaked on his effort very late. Craig Grylls takes the reins again, and the blinkers now go on for this, which should sharpen him up. He maps to settle handy to the speed from a nice low gate, which should see him given a much better run in transit this time. I didn’t have much between the top four in the market, so happy to be with him at the price. 

Hervey Bay (#1) sat on speed throughout last start at Hastings, only to be run down late for 3rd. Michael McNab remains aboard for this, and he now escapes MAAT company for the first time this campaign, returning to a standard maiden. He maps to settle up on speed again from a favourable draw, in a race that looks to have an even speed on paper. Should take plenty of beating.  

Proteus (#10) sat just off the speed in a slowly run race here last start but didn’t have any favours in the straight thereafter, finishing 7th. He comes here third-up and should be better again for that second raceday experience and the blinkers now go on for this. The map is a touch sticky from the wide barrier, where he may need some luck to find a position early. Looks capable of playing a part in this if he can slot in early. 

Sweet Ice (#6) sat up on speed throughout last start at Te Rapa in a race that was run ~2.5L faster than open class standard, and still fought on fairly in the straight for 3rd thereafter. He maps to settle handy to the speed from a nice low gate, which should ensure that he won’t be working nearly as hard this time around. Suited by the rise in trip, should get his chance to run a better race here. 

Espadas (#1) got back and just grinded home here last start, finishing off fairly into 8th. He comes here third-up and is suited stepping out over 1400m with those two runs under his belt this campaign. Joe Doyle now takes the reins, and from the low draw he maps to settle much closer here. Expecting he can run an improved race, looks a solid each way chance in an even field. 

Son Of Sun (#3) got a long way back turning for home last start at Te Rapa and was one of a few who were never a chance at the turn. He did put in some good strides down the straight before just peaking on his run very late, running an 11.1s split between the 400m and 200m. He comes here second-up and looks much better suited stepping out over 2100m this time around. He maps to settle back of midfield with cover from middle draw, hopefully a pair or two closer than where he positioned up last time. Should be thereabouts in an even field of stayers. 

Platinum Attack (#1) sat midfield with cover throughout last start in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate here at Ellerslie but just battled away in the straight, finishing into 7th. He comes here second-up and drops back into a much more winnable Gr.3 assignment. He maps to settle midfield with cover from a middle draw, off what should be a genuine tempo. Opie Bosson taking the reins is a big plus, should take some beating if the track continues to improve.  

Sweet Smile (#9) heads here second-up off a disappointing 8th at Te Rapa last start, where he got back and made no impression over a trip short of his best. He clearly needed that run and should be better for it heading here over 1400m. He maps to settle handy to the speed, likely following Tellum across from the wider draw. Back at his happy hunting ground at Ellerslie, expecting he can run a much improved race. 

Asturia (#5) comes here at just her third career start for Te Akau, off a 2nd in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas at Hastings. She got home strongly up the fence from midfield that day after a slow start, in a race that was run at a solid tempo throughout. Michael McNab takes the reins again, and from the middle draw she maps to settle midfield with cover off a genuine speed. Looks hard to beat back at Ellerslie and back against her own sex. 

Towering Vision (#2) comes here off a good win here last start, where he sat back off a genuine speed being set out in front and produced a strong finish to win well late. He’s had the benefit of a recent spin around at the trials to keep him up to the mark for this. Michael McNab remains aboard for this, and he maps to settle back of midfield off an even-genuine tempo. Leading contender in an even field to close the card.