Hardline would start $1.75 if he was here today and even allowing for a remarkable Damien Browne rider, he powered past Selfie in only the last six strides. Opie Bosson should be able to pick the spot he wants from the youngster's rails barrier. Trainer Moira Murdoch is confident Marky Mark is a fitter horse than when a luckless fourth in the Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie when he became completely unbalanced on the home bend. This should be a great race befitting its status.
Opie Bosson should go close in Race 2 on Mabeel (No3). He has speed to burn, but he's not without his ability to fight and from a reasonable barrier should get the run of the race. Funhouse (No6) is back in form and there will be plenty of interest in the reappearance of Feelin The Love (No9). She hasn't been seen since October, but finished second at the Matamata barrier trials and the stable can get them ready to win when fresh from spells.
Although Gustavo (No5, R1) will almost certainly be favourite and hard to beat, Popeye Braggins (No3) each way in the first would not be the worst option. He will have been tidied up by that first-up Trentham run and has previously won at his second start back. Don't Gloat (No2) is a must for multis.
Werther (No4, R5) is a real horse for the future. This time he comes up against some good ones in stablemates Redeem Code (No2) and Promises (No12) along with Charmont (No10), but everything has suggested the first time he attempted 2000m, Werther would take knocking down. Back him and keep following him.
A few interesting fields at Ellerslie. Untamed Diamond (No7, R3) has ability and should be difficult to beat away from the best juveniles around. Unsurpassed (No1) will be in the fight.
Bring up the electronic image of the last-start Te Rapa effort of Lil Miss Waitoki (No4, R4). She literally flew late into second in that race and if she can produce the same finish here it should get her home. Team Pete (No9) seems to get his share of bad luck, but there is a win in him.
Storming the Tower (No2, R5) has been looking for a big, testing track with a bit of give in the surface and finally gets one. The track raced way too tight for him at Tauranga last week and his fourth was excellent. Killarney Kid (No9) has ability and came back to it last start, but you somehow get the impression the track would not need to be moving too much for his lanky frame.
Fast Learner (No1, R6) should handle the 59.5kg if he is anywhere near as good as we think he is and his stablemate Biggin Hill (No1, R8) might get that elusive win two races later.
Saorise (No12, R7) is a chance fresh from a spell. She looks promising and was placed at a recent barrier trial. El Sagrado (No10) looked good winning on debut.
Vespa will step out of his comfort zone today in readiness for his main autumn goal.
The colt will take on the older horses for the first time at Awapuni as a lead into the Manco Easter Hcp at Ellerslie on April 18.
"He's a 3-year-old who will be down in the weights and a group one is very valuable to him," trainer Johno Benner said. His liking for the Auckland track was another factor " he has run there three times for victories in the Diamond Stakes and the Karaka Million and a placing in the Eclipse Stakes.
Vespa has been out twice on his current campaign and last time out he defeated Passing Shot in the Wellington Guineas. "It was a relief, but you can only relax for a few days after that before you have to start thinking about the next start," Benner said.
That will come in the Fairdale/Goodwood Studs Flying Hcp, in which he will continue his association with Mark Du Plessis.
While Vespa comes in on the 53kg minimum, he does meet a competitive line-up that contains the proven group one performers Mighty Solomon, Weregoingtogetcha and Trepidation.
Moozoon and Tie Me Down are stakes winners, while McLaren, Taurus, Marotiri Miss and Miss Foxwood also have black type placings on their records.
Andrew Campbell is hoping the Tavistock factor can give Werther an edge when his three-year-old chases age group honours at Awapuni.
"I've got five of them and they all show ability," the Opaki trainer said. "I just wish I had more of them."
Werther, like his Group performed stablemate Longchamp, is from the first crop of Cambridge Stud's Group One producer Tavistock.
Werther has won two of his last three starts and will step up to a middle distance for the first time in today's Group 3 Higgins Manawatu Classic.
- Additional reporting NZ Racing Desk
