Rotorua Tips & Preview | Sunday 11 October

Spellbound (#2) comes here off a narrow win last start at Ellerslie, where he sat behind the leaders and won impressively late. He heads here now second-up and maps to settle handy to the speed from the wide gate, where I thought Corentin Berge may press forward and look to settle just off the leaders again. Should take plenty of beating with any natural improvement from that resuming run despite the rise in grade.

Emma Twigg (#3) put in some good late strides from the back in a moderately run race last start at Matamata, finishing into 2nd. She comes here second-up and looks suited rising in trip for this. She maps to settle back in the field in a race that looks to have a genuine tempo engaged, which should set up nicely for her to be finishing over the top late. Can go one better here.

Bordeaux Belle (#5) ran an improved race first-up last start at Matamata, closing off nicely from the back of the field for 2nd while also having to duck and weave in the straight. She comes here second-up and Jack Taplin takes the reins again, and his 2kg claim sees her nicely placed down in the weights. She maps to settle midfield with cover from a middle barrier in a race with a genuine tempo engaged. Happy to side with her on an each-way basis at the price in an even maiden field.

Our Solana (#11) sat just off the speed last start at Ellerslie, working wide without cover throughout, and fought well in the straight to finish 5th. She comes here second-up, and Michael McNab takes the reins, which should see her given every chance from a good draw. She maps to settle handy to the speed, with the likely leader Highly Anticipated drawn directly underneath likely to cart her forward early. Should take some beating here.

Sonoran (#2) sustained a long run from the back of the field last start at Te Rapa, where he was posted from the 700m and kept on nicely in the straight for 3rd. He comes here second-up and looks suited stepping out over further with that run under his belt. He maps to settle back of midfield, where I expect Sam Collett will be in search of cover early. Should go close in an even field with any improvement out of that resuming run.

Son Of Sun (#6) 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 1950m this time around. He maps to settle midfield with cover from a nice low draw, much 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 at Ellerslie but just battled away in the straight, finishing into 7th. He comes here second-up and looks much better suited getting back left-handed. He maps to settle ahead of midfield with cover from a nice low gate, with regular pilot Bruno Queiroz remaining in the saddle. Should take all sorts of beating if the rain stays away.

Confesara (#5) closed off nicely from the back of the field last start at Ellerslie, posting the fastest closing sectionals of the race when 3rd. She comes here second-up and looks suited by the rise to 1400m. George Rooke takes the reins, and she maps to settle back in the field from a middle barrier. If they run it along genuinely in front, she can be finishing over the top of these late.