Plenty of chances in Race 3, the 1600m maiden. Opulent (No14) has looked good in just three starts and won't be long cracking his maiden. He didn't have everything his way last start. Neither did Beauty Giant (No9) who was caught wide at Ellerslie and was not that far away at the finish. He has drawn awkwardly wide, but the 1600m barrier at Te Rapa allows a long run down the back straight.
Veyron (No1, R4), well, even with 61kg he has most of these beaten before he goes out. The concern is that it can be an issue backing horses one race off their grand final and Veyron is being aimed at the Zabeel Classic.
However, trainer Linda Laing says she has him right up to the mark and class counts for so much. Spin Doctor (No2) had no chance with the run he got last week and will do better on his favourite track here.
Chazelle (No5, R5) looked a shade disappointing when beaten out of the money at Ellerslie last start, but it could have been the right-handed track. She reverts to left-handed at Te Rapa today, a track she has previously won on, and you might see a form reversal. Rasa Lila (No8) won nicely last start and looks to be on the up. Carlotta (No2) and Silk Chardonnay (No4) are the value runners.
Tough affair, Race 6, but Longbeach (No2) and Asprey (No8) look a likely pair. They have the barrier draw advantage over Sir Sunny (No3) and High Viz (No10).
One who has made an impression is King Krovanh (No4, R7), now a three-time winner from his 14 starts. He bolted in at Ellerslie and although stepping up to open class this is not a particularly strong field for that rating. Sultry Assassin (No9) finds the line well.
Emily Monk (No 12, R8) is a mare on the way through to good class and the Ellerslie win last start was just one of the steps. She is capable of continuing that form. Trainer Roger James declared he wanted an "easy kill" at Te Awamutu last start and that's what Miss Foxwood (No5) got. It was stylish, though, and she can go on to stronger things.
Beckham (No1, R9) put up a nice effort when second at Trentham last start, certainly good enough to rate him highly here. He should get the run of the race from an inside barrier. Imanana (No12) and Tinder (No13) are dangers.
At weight-for-age Authentic Paddy (No4, R8) will be tough to bowl at Manawatu. If it rains before the 5.02pm race, have a bit more on.
Rain would also assist Anniestar (No2, R6) in the Manawatu Cup.
Her run in a sit-sprint race last week was better than it looked.
The winner of the feature sprint at Ellerslie on Boxing Day will be exempt from ballot for the Group 1 Sistema Railway Stakes, but if Ruud Awakening is successful she may still not run in the New Year's Day feature.
Trainer Stephen Marsh will make a decision on the mare's immediate future after next week's Listed Hallmark Stud Newmarket Handicap.
"She's borderline for the Railway and we'll run in the Newmarket and then make a call - she could back up on New Year's Day or target the Telegraph," Marsh said. "Either way, she needs to lift at her next run." Additional reporting: NZ Racing Desk
