Racing: Breeders Stakes question marks

Bhandara is the safest bet in today's $120,000 Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha.

Safe because there is a question mark over pre-post favourite Calveen and also 3-year-old filly Spin 'N Grin.

Forget that Bhandara was beaten into fifth in the group one Thorndon Mile at Trentham last start, she was close up and it was an excellent effort - good enough to win this.

If you're hedging, go back to her King's Plate victory at Ellerslie on Boxing Day - at weight-for-age and she bolted in by four lengths. That effort would win this.

Lance O'Sullivan hasn't exactly put a "slow" on Calveen, but has declared he is not as happy with her trackwork efforts as he was before her excellent early summer form. It would pay to keep her safe, though: If she races anything like her best she will stretch the neck of most of these. The same goes for Spin 'N Grin. Mark Walker has been looking for rain or showers for the filly, but include her even if they don't arrive. Barcelona for the trifecta numbers.

Don't drop Swigilo (No3, R1) for his failure when well-supported at Otaki last start. The rain took the track to a condition he was unable to handle and back on firm footing he can make amends.

Hatepe (No2, R2) did not have a lot of racing room at Matamata last start when making his first local appearance following Australian racing. This field is not easy, but it's easier than the Madam Shinko line-up at Matamata.

Alibi (No1, R3) had had more than a year away from racing when he resumed at Te Rapa on March 2. It was not a bad effort making ground to be only a little more than three lengths from the winner. He is the winner of two races running in one-win grade because of his time away from racing. He might be value. Merry Dance (No8) will probably start favourite after her top third to Rokocoko at Te Rapa last start.

Justee (No3, R4) is a specialist 1200m runner dropping back from 1400m. The No 10 barrier is very unfriendly, but she has plenty of speed to cross the field and there is a significantly longer run to the first bend at the 1200m starting point at Te Aroha than on most New Zealand tracks. Stablemate Millennium (No1) can run a race despite being primed here for the 1600m Easter and Travellin' Man (No 2) and Time Warp (No5) are respected.

Not greatly taken with the juvenile race as a punting proposition, but if you can't resist, Cullcha (No6) has been running good races against top opposition with little luck and debut runner Crusoe (No8) was impressive winning at last month's Cambridge barrier trials.

Stravigent (No2, R6) is being tried in blinkers for the first time. His form is very sound and if the hood works even slight improvement he will be difficult to contain. Pin High (No1) is consistent and Rosetti Bay (No5) is better than her latest form reads.

Provided the track is firm, Envoy (No3, R8) should continue his winning form. It took him a while to find it, but he looks very solid at present. In what could be a trick race, Single Sun (No2) and Desert Flight (No1) are dangers.

Stella Clark (No14, R10) is a big hope in the last on the card. She had no luck looking for racing room in the final stages at Matamata last start and is another who will like this big, roomy track.