Racing: Enjoy a day at Ellerslie

Saint Emilion will be at good each-way odds in the City Of Auckland Cup at Ellerslie today. Photo / Getty Images

WHAT better way to begin 2017 and 12 months of punting than Sacred Shot (No 3, R1) in the opener at Ellerslie today. He has had just the three starts for one win, but he looks one of the best of the emerging stayers from the bottom of the ladder.

The only obstruction here would appear to be the slightly awkward barrier, which will probably mean Leith Innes has to drop him back early. He's probably good enough to loop most of these to win. Cherry Bay (No 10) is also progressive and is close to another win.

Race two, the special conditions event on the card, is even as the TAB's Final Field market suggests. Singapore-based New Zealand trainer Laurie Laxon owns Miss Horitiu (R2, No 9). She won her Matamata maiden quite stylishly and from a reasonable barrier she has a chance to progress. Luck in running will decide this. Red Sky At Night (No 10) is a chance and La Casona (No 7) from an excellent barrier should be in the multiples.

The Eclipse Stakes for the babies is interesting. Gift Of Power (No 3, R3) is unbeaten in three races and they have all been left-handed. It is probably not an issue that she reverts to right-handed racing here because before she raced her barrier trial at Te Teko produced no issues the right-handed way. She has plenty of fight about her, the negative here being the No 8 barrier of the nine runners, which at Ellerslie can be awkward.

There is plenty to like about Princess Rihanna (No 9), an easy winner at Otaki at her only start.

Excellaration (No 6) looked smart on debut.

The fourth is the Stella Artois Royal Stakes and usually these types of races at this time of year are clearcut with a short-priced favourite.

This is not one of those with the two favourites from the Eight Carat Classic on Boxing Day, Volpe Veloce and Devise, both missing. The favourite is Dame Margo Fonteyn (No 1), winner of her past two, but this is a decent step up in class. Still difficult to make a case against her from an all-important decent barrier at the Ellerslie 2000m barrier. By High Chaparral from a Keeper mare she should be capable of stepping up to this distance. Glass Slipper (No 2) is much better than her past couple of runs suggest. She has an awkward barrier, but if Leith Innes can get her a good passage she can be a major threat here against a field that, overall, is a little easier than her past two races.

One of the bets of the day is the favourite Romancer (No 2, R5), the Great Northern Guineas. He looked a topliner at the trials before he made his debut and his two wins and a second in three starts have done nothing but confirm that promise. This is a big step up in class, but he's capable of it. Yesterday he was at $2.60 which he looks value at. He is probably just too good for them. Creative Genius (No 5) looks the danger to Romancer. Cha Sui Bao (No 1) is a threat and so is Swissta (No 4).

The Dunstan Feeds Stayers Championship is a competitive event. The beautifully-bred Quintessentially (No 3, R6) has a decent record to protect - three wins from four visits to the track. The way she's been doing it she should finish this off nicely for Danielle Johnson.

Symphonic (No 6) is compiling a terrific record. She justified her favouritism to win here last start and even though this is tougher she rates highly. Captain Lincoln (No 2) and Street Smart (No 12) should be in all multiples.

The field for the Rich Hill Mile should provide a good contest. Capella (No 11, R7) was punted heavily a couple of weeks back here and missed in the closest finish you could imagine. It showed she is right back to her best after some issues and that best is very good. The 52.5kg for one of her class looks attractive. So does the 53kg on Rising Shot (No 9). She has come a long way in a short time and her second to Coldplay last time showed she is still improving. The $6.20 for Capella and the $5 for Rising Shot look good value. Ronchi (No 1) was the third favourite at $6.60.

Lizzie L'Amour (No 9, R8) needs luck but can win the City Of Auckland Cup if she manages to find that. She is exceptionally good. In an even race Fanatic (No 8) needs similar luck, and the dangers look to be Megablast (No 16) and Nymph Monte (No 2). Saint Emilion (No 1) will probably lead and give a sight and it will be interesting to see how the 60.5kg topweight impacts on him late in the race.

Similarly we feel Perfect Fit (No 3, R9) can win the Railway provided she gets a touch of luck from her widish barrier.

Helping will be her decent level of tactical speed. Star Wondering (No 5) has a remarkable level of talent and will be powering at the leaders in the home straight. Snowdrop (No 13) will love jumping from barrier No 1 barrier. Red Striker (No 11) for value.

Yes, Hiflyer (No 3, R10) has been backed and beaten in three runs this campaign, but keep the faith - go this one more time. He has plenty of ability and if he fails he simply hasn't come up well enough. Dangers are Gravano (No 7), Bella Court (No 4) and Romantic Maid (No 6).