KEY POINTS:
If you're looking for the safest each-way bet at Ellerslie today it's possibly Brianna in the $200,000 Waiwera Infinity Railway.
Be aware, safest is a relative term.
It doesn't necessarily mean safe, but Brianna is a strong chance because she finishes her races off very strongly and that's what's required in major sprints like the Railway. You had to really like her finishing effort when she won the big sprint on Counties Cup day at Ellerslie and the 53.5kg is a reasonably comfortable weight because she is not very big.
It's not a Mr Tiz-type Railway field, but it's very even. Brianna's stablemate Imananabaa is entitled to strong claims as are Needuask, Pinsoir and Baldessarini, the latter even though he has had a scant preparation for such a tough task.
Imananabaa made a lot of ground into second behind Needuask in the Concorde at Avondale and will finish this off as strongly as her stablemate.
Needuask and Pinsoir will be in nice positions coming to the home turn, giving them their chance and Baldessarini's prospects depend a little on the run he gets from a slightly wide barrier. Tough race. If the odds allow Brianna, Imananabaa and Pinsoir each way.
Chettak (No6, R9) is a strong chance in the City of Auckland Cup. His Manawatu Cup third was better than it looked and you can see him dashing at these leaders in the final stages with 54kg on his back.
Pasta Post (No8) is all class, but don't underestimate the task he has here for an inexperienced horse. He won't let you down though, he'll do his best. NZ Cup winner Everswindell (No7) will be difficult to keep out in the closing stages and Kerry O'Reilly (No2) has done nothing wrong and drops 1kg to 57kg, which will make it just that little bit easier. Chettak and Everswindell each way.
Charliehorse (No8, R7), one of the best around, will give Sir Slick (No1) plenty in the Rich Hill Mile. Everyone wants to see Sir Slick win under his 60.5kg and he might, but the 8kg Charliehorse gets off him is massive. Fiscal Madness (No2) is right in the race from a good barrier.
Tarbach (No13, R5) is a nice each-way chance with 54.5kg in the $100,000 Dunstan Final. He failed at Te Rapa last time, but some horses just don't manage that track and Tarbach had been beaten there before. His Ellerslie stats of two wins and a placing from three starts is too good to ignore and his second there two starts ago was huge. Great trifecta race. O'Gara (No1) is not out of it and Cross Roads (No2) and Hazeldon (No4) have done nothing wrong. Tarbach each way.
Align To Infinity (No11, R2) is going to attract plenty of attention fresh from a spell. He has to topple a fitter Tootsie (No3), who was so dashing leaving maidens at Te Rapa. Maybe the quinella.
The way San Bernadino (No1, R3) put them away at Te Rapa last start he looks the winner of the Eclipse Stakes. He can sprint a couple of times in a race, putting him on a different level to some. Explosive Dancer (No10) and Lady Alberton (No9) were stylish at Te Rapa.
Picardo (No2, R4) had to try to make ground from behind at Awapuni last start and did very well to wind up third. He's got a big field to keep out, but he'll give it a shake.
If you watched the fresh-up finishing effort of Ginga Dude (No8, R10) at Te Rapa last start you'll back him here, however short he comes up on the tote. He could be very special this preparation.
