Racing: Kereru worth a flutter in the Ellerslie opener

On The Rocks is a Derby chance today. Photo / Trish Dunell

Fabulous betting races on the Derby undercard at Ellerslie today. Even though some races are compact in numbers, there is form everywhere.

Princess Kereru (No3, R1) each way is not the worst way to start the programme. She came off a couple of unlucky runs to win three back then was beaten less than half a length next time to the races. She appeared to find the 1400m just a shade far when wilting to mid-field in Group class behind Thee Auld Floozie on January 27. She drops back to 1200m today and from a reasonable draw should get a good cart along in the one-off line. It's a competitive race and the likes of Aileen Grace (No9), Chicane (No5) and Rikki Tikki Tavi (No6) will not be far from the action.

Pierrocity (No8), R2) has undoubted ability. She was taken south for the 2000 Guineas off the back of a strong Te Rapa maiden win and finished mid-field to Hasahalo in the Group 1. She has had a decent break and can race well fresh. Chill (No11) will find this easier than the Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham last start. She was tightened slightly early in the run home, although that did not cost her much ground and she started to wilt. She was 6.6 lengths from Dijon Bleu, but given the winning was more than half of that, it was not a bad run. Eeny Meeny Miny Mo (No2) and Ruby Love (No6) are multiple bet chances.

Race 3, the 2200m open handicap has only nine runners, but it could be a trap. Most of these are prepping for the Auckland Cup a week away. No, leave us out of that one.

Tiptronic (No5, R4) looks a fine chance in the R85 sprint. He was only two lengths from winner Coldplay in the Rich Hill Mile, great form for a race such as this. He had a top-up trial at Taupo and finished third to Francaletta and Bonneval. Will go close from an inside gate. Yearn (No7) is back to her pet 1400m after a somewhat luckless fifth at 1200m last week. The seven-day backup creates a slight question mark, but she is very tough. Ruud Not To (No3) and Go Nicholas (No1) are considerations for multiple players.

Sacred Day (No3, R5) is interesting. He bolted in tackling maiden company class at Hastings and believing he could sneak into the Derby, he ran at 2000m at Poverty Bay, but struggled to jump from 1400m and did well for second. Drops back to 1600m here and that should be more to his liking. Has class. Steven James (No12) finished midfield in the Waikato Guineas last start when tackling it as a maiden. He will appreciate this class. Stablemates Mongolian Marshall (No5) and Konstantina (No14) are chances.

Felton Road (No1, R6) wasn't far from the best around late last season and early this season. He ran into trouble in stakes class at Hastings in the spring and was spelled. He's had two barrier trials to ready him for this and don't be surprised if he slips in here. Astor (No5) is classy and looks to be improving. Iffindoubt (No2) and The Great Southern (No3) are right in the party.

Contessa Vanessa (No1, R7) is hot favourite and Kapoor (No2) looks the best value. Forget she went around at Te Rapa last time when she tried a middle distance for the first time. She was left exposed in running and couldn't finish off. The distance is unlikely to trouble her if she gets cover. Gris Dame (No3) is better than her paper form suggests.

Hard to deny Julius (No1, R8), but the odds are short as they are entitled to be. The happy giant could be anything over the next 12 months. Sultan Of Swing (No7) has been indicating another win is not far away. Difficult to tip him to beat Julius, but the multiple bets look enticing. Fully Funded (No2) will run better this time provided they are not getting out wide late in the programme and Romancer (No9) can get some money.

Our Derby tips are 1: Mission Hill, 2: Danzdanzdance, 3: On The Rocks, 4: Vin De Dance, 5: The Mayor.

Felaar (No1, R10) should win the last. He is worth following.