Co-trainer Murray Baker has previously won the Tulloch Stakes with Our Palliser, The Bill and Harris Tweed and produced Rios to finish second.
"He has to handle the heavy track," says Baker. "He's good in the slow, but he hasn't raced when it's heavy."
At Tauranga, Cote D'Or (No3, R5) should be much more difficult to head off than when third at Matamata last start. She is still a work in progress with real staying potential, but a first middle distance start (Matamata) can be a tough and confusing race for some horses when they go around two bends rather than one.
Cote D'Or got too far off them last time and finished strongly. She will have learned from that experience and be very difficult to hold out. Cherry Bay (No5) was unlucky last start and Cool Tart (No8) and Victory Drive (No2) are musts for multiple bets.
Last preparation Let Me Roar (No2, R3) looked one of the finest improvers in the north. She is now unbeaten in four and should be in for a headliner's campaign. She should be ready to win fresh.
"Unfortunately she hasn't had a trial," said Murray Baker. "She went to the trials, but a horse in the tie-ups next to her got a leg over the partition and kicked her in the head." Triaction (No3) is the value runner after having little luck lately.
Justacanta (No1, R4) was always going to reach the form he has shown lately. He is going for three straight, which is never easy, but even with topweight and a tricky barrier, he will take stopping. Fast And Furious (No3) went too bad to be true at Ellerslie last start and deserves another chance on previous efforts. Tiptronic (No2) is right in it.
Race 6, the stayers' handicap is tricky. Pacorus (No1) is best in the wet, but has won on a decent surface. He should be ready to do something after two fitness runs since a break. He is more than capable. Endean Rose (No5) once again showed she is underrated when winning under 59kg at Matamata last start. She will appreciate the drop to 54kg.
Selfie (No2, R7) deserves a win. His last-start placing behind Ja Ja Binks puts him right in this. Hollywood Lass (No7) disappointed last start. She is a lot better than that. Put Ruby Bloom (No10) and It's Bianca (No3) in multiples.
Rangipo (No5, R8) put his name in the frame for this race when he finished a great fresh-up third over 1200m at Ellerslie. Yes, a step to 1400m would probably be better here, but as a Derby winner he is tough. All Roads (No9) is close to a big win. He had no luck last week and will be hard to beat if that changes here. Trojan Warrior (No2) is unbeaten in three starts at Tauranga and comes in here well in the weights. Romantic Maid (No14) is not as well off in a handicap sense, even though she has just 52kg.
She is on the up though and deserves consideration.
Indications yesterday were that approaching rain may not strike the Bay of Plenty until late today. If it comes earlier Ekarosa (No8, R9) will come more into favour. She will be competitive on any surface, but enjoys the wet.
