KEY POINTS:
If you like safety first then Gallions Reach is going to appeal to you in today's $20,000 Skycity Hamilton Cup at Te Rapa.
Gallions Reach hasn't been able to get over the line lately, but he's done everything but win - and generally in much stronger fields than the one he meets today.
From a good barrier he's going to give today's race a decent shake. Box him up with the likes of Black Panther, another ready to strike, and Prized Touch as a possible value runner. Shining Light (No7, R6) is fitter for her two runs back from a break. She looked a good thing beaten over 1400m at Awapuni last start, flashing into the frame late for a close third. The fact that she has already won at Te Rapa is an important statistic.
Her stablemate Il Divo (No5, R7) is one of half a dozen trying to strengthen their chances in the $700,000 Mercedes Derby at Ellerslie with a bold showing in the HS Dyke Waikato Guineas. The Derby market will come right into focus with this race. Il Divo has been brought along steadily by John Sargent and will have gained a lot of experience from his second placing in the Great Northern Guineas.
In what will be a hugely competitive race, Six O'Clock News (No4), Pierre Joseph (No6), Prince Kaapstad (No1) and Sircross (No2) are real chances. Don't miss this one.
Race 3 might be a small field, but it, too, will be a fascinating contest. Dashing Donna (No6) is having her first start since September. She won brilliantly by more than five lengths on debut in August then it took Special Mission to put her away at Wanganui a week later. By coincidence, Special Mission (No2) is also coming back from a break in this race. Take no chances with her and tryfecta players should consider Mirandola (No1) and Jacob (No3). They are both still at the improving stage.
Even though he probably didn't get the best of runs, there was a question mark over Align To Infinity (No7, R4) when he was beaten favourite at Ellerslie last time out. His resuming run had been superb over a too-short 1200m and perhaps the latest run could be explained by the dreaded second-up syndrome.
He jumps to 2000m and there will be no excuses. Stablemates Dane Ruler (No5) and Shia (No9) are dangers.
The last at Te Rapa looks impossible, but a decent each-way bet is McCahon (No2, R8). He has not missed the money in three starts on the track and was fourth to Manonamission at Awapuni last start.
