Ellerslie Tips & Preview | Saturday 31 January

Fastdeeldun (#4) can be forgiven for his last-start 7th at Te Rapa, where he travelled strongly into the race before being blocked for a run at a crucial stage. He maps to track early favourite Poetic Justice throughout, which looks the ideal horse to be following. He finds himself in a very even R65 staying contest, and with clearer running, an improved showing wouldn’t surprise.

Miss Parker (#8) again found one better last start after being forced to sit wide without cover throughout, yet still fought on gamely for another 2nd. She draws slightly better here and the booking of Matt Cameron is a positive. This shapes as a very even maiden on paper, but she looks as capable as any and gets another good chance to finally break through for a maiden win.

Tale Of The Gypsy (#13) is a 3yo Written By filly resuming for Stephen Marsh after finishing down the track in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas back in September. She has trialled boldly ahead of her return, suggesting she’ll be ready to go for this first-up assignment. Jumping from a favourable draw, she should be able to settle in a prominent position just off the leaders in a race with good early tempo. In a fresh state, I wouldn’t be surprised to see her find something closer to her best in this.

Singletary (#2) made a strong impression when finishing 2nd here on debut and should take plenty of improvement from that experience. He now gains the services of Opie Bosson for his second-up run, which may aid in offsetting the wide draw. At the price, happy to be in his corner over the favourite.

Top Dollar (#4) did well to hold off Mustang Morgan at Taupo last start, which was also his first go beyond a mile. Opie Bosson sticks and he draws a nice middle gate, which should see him settle just ahead of midfield with cover in what looks a genuinely run staying contest. In a very even field of stayers, he looks as good a chance as any.

Aksil (#7) ran a very good race for 2nd at Tauranga last start, looming as if he was about to go straight past before Bonifleur shot through along the fence and held him out late. That was his first run in two months and he should strip fitter here, with visor blinkers now applied and Opie Bosson taking over the riding duties from a middle draw. Looks as though he’ll appreciate getting out over a mile. Shapes as the one to beat.

Tisse (#5) disappointed as a short-priced favourite in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup here last start, where he failed to fire without any obvious excuses. He draws the inside gatethis time and Rory Hutchings takes over in the saddle. He maps to settle midfield on the fence, which may see him require a touch of luck late, but he should get every chance to bounce back here. Expecting a better showing as he looks to get his Auckland Cup campaign back on track.

Jaarffi (#2) was the best of the beaten brigade behind Kingswood in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic on Boxing Day, recording the fastest closing sectionals of the race despite being held up at a key stage in the straight. She meets El Vencedor better at the weights under handicap conditions and maps to enjoy a soft run midfield with cover off a genuine tempo. With clear air late, she looks well placed to be charging home over the top of them here.

On The Town (#13) caught the eye over this course and distance last start, working home well before running into dead ends in the straight. He looks set to get a very similar setup again, mapping to settle back from the wide draw off what should be a strong tempo. At long odds, he appeals as a speculative each-way play to close the card.