This will be no doddle with the likes of Stradivarius and Miss Wilson engaged, but class is class.
If you like backing horses that have been unlucky at their previous start you will want to be on Douro (No2, R9). He should have won clearly at Rotorua last start and gets his chance this time.
Verdasco (No4, R1) gets his chance to win the opening hurdle race with the help of Troy Harris' extremely valuable 2.5kg allowance. As a group one-winning rider on the flat, Harris is a very valuable jumps jockey with a handy claim. Additionally, Verdasco is already a winner over fences at Te Rapa.
Troy Harris will feature again in Race 2 on Zenocoin (No1), but the problem will be Prologue (No4), who has put together an attractive record in just six starts over hurdles. He will take plenty of beating again. Elusive Gold (No3, R3) was just topped off by talented Fascination Street at Ellerslie - very good form for this race. That track was heavy, but there is no disadvantage in being on a better surface at Te Rapa today. His best form has been on decent tracks. Sancere (No11) wasn't far away in that Fascination Street race and did not get all favours in running. Neither did Agent Ziva (No4).
Carinya (No4, R4) has had just four steeplechase starts for three wins and a placing, beating the percentages expected where horses need to learn that trade more steadily. Even better, one of those wins was at Te Rapa.
Race 5 is one of the toughest on this marathon 12-race programme. The 2kg apprentice allowance claimed by Brendan Hutton will be valuable in dropping Seconds Out (No4) to 53kg. He has not previously raced at Te Rapa, but his record is very consistent. Stella's Honour (No7) is a danger.
River Deep (No4, R7) made an impression with his Dargaville debut victory, winning comfortably despite a narrow margin. He has drawn close in today and should be difficult to beat again. Naughty Knuckles (No2) has not missed a place lately and the wide barrier is not too bad at 1600m at Te Rapa.
Foxburrow Hill (No1, R8) found the finish line very strongly when he left maidens at Ellerslie last start. He looks very promising as a stayer and should be powering home again. So, too, should Take It Out (No3) who deserved his Ellerslie win last time.
Plenty of chances in Race 10. One of the strongest is Seize The Moment (No6) whose overall form is very useful. Clara Jane (No3) has a very good record at her second start after a spell and she can improve sharply on her first-up fourth. Ohope Prince (No2) is dropping back a grade and has a 2kg apprentice claim.
Saoirse (No9, R11) looked good finishing second to Sherpa when resuming at Ellerslie, trying hard right to the line. She has a lovely draw. Sonic Jet (No7) could surprise fresh.
Ambitious Unicorn (No2, R12) won fresh on debut over this 1200m distance. His barrier is not ideal, but it may not be enough to rule him out. Steadfast (No1) has drawn even wider, but got out of the barriers very quickly in his winning Dargaville debut and that would help his cause here.
• Promising three-year-old Harry will test out his Queensland Derby credentials at Te Rapa today but that is on the proviso that he actually gets to run.
The unbeaten son of Sir Percy currently needs two scratchings to gain entry to the rating 75 Curraghmore 1600, race 10 on the day's 12-race card, however co-trainer Andrew Forsman is relatively optimistic of making the field.
"It's certainly a step up from where he has been racing and hopefully we will get to test him against some fairly handy gallopers in the grade on Saturday," he said. "There are a couple that have drawn wide so we might just sneak into the field if they decide to scratch. If he doesn't get a start then the back-up plan is to take him to Hastings next Thursday."
Impressive when winning on debut at New Plymouth, Harry convinced plenty of good judges he has a real future with a stunning performance to win his next start at Ellerslie when storming home from near last on the corner to snatch the victory.
High-class mare off to Australia
New Zealand has lost one of its best racehorses - Rising Romance.
Senior owner John Carter announced yesterday the high-class mare will be relocated to the Hayes/Dabernig stable at their Euroa base in Victoria.
For the stable of Donna and the late Dean Logan, Rising Romance won the ATC Oaks in Sydney and finished second in last spring's Caulfield Cup to Japanese raider Admire Rakti.
"Donna has done a fantastic job for us with this mare and the decision was a hard one," John Carter said.
"However, on balance this is her best chance of winning some more group one races before she is retired.
"Donna is still training some horses for us."
Carter said Rising Romance would remain in the Australian stable for the Championships next autumn.
The loss of Rising Romance will be a sad blow to Donna Logan, who has done a magnificent job of campaigning the stable stars in Australia.
• John Bary says Miss Wilson is in the right condition to justify favouritism in today's Hamilton Vet Clinic Equine Stakes (1100m) at Te Rapa.
Sent out favourite on debut at Rotorua last month, Miss Wilson fought gamely but could only manage second behind Stradivarius, a race rival again at Te Rapa.
"I think she'll win," Bary said.
"She will get a good track and she's drawn well, so hopefully she can show her real ability."
TAB bookmakers made Miss Wilson a $4.20 favourite, ahead of The Justice League at $4.60, Stradivarius at $6 and Thwayya at $7.
Additional reporting NZ Racing Desk
