Racing: Millennium happy running in the Bay

Millennium is a strong chance to complete successive group three Tauranga Stakes wins at Tauranga today.

The evergreen 8-year-old beat Society Beau and Magnetism in the weight-for-age event 12 months ago and goes into this year's race with a last-start group three win over 2000m at Ellerslie on November 1.

Millennium has proved a Tauranga course specialist with a record of four wins and two placings from nine starts on the course.

As well as last year's Tauranga Stakes, Millennium's wins in the course include the 2003 group two Japan/New Zealand International Trophy over the same 1600m distance.

Millennium will be having his fourth start in the Tauranga Stakes.

He first contested the race in 2002 when runner-up to the top sprinter Tit For Taat, then finished sixth to Just Aqua the following year and broke through for a win last year.

As was the case last year, Magnetism will again be a rival and his connections are looking for an improved showing.

Magnetism has been somewhat disappointing overall this campaign, though each of his four starts have been in group one company and he has picked up two placings.

His last-start run was in the group one Captain Cook Stakes at Trentham when battling on for fourth.

"He didn't round it off last time," rider Jim Collett said. "He should have no excuses on Saturday."

Magnetism reverts to right-handed racing at Tauranga and has proved best-suited that way round.

Sedecrem is the best performed horse in the field and was an improver's fifth last start, while stablemate Filante Etoile ran on well for second at Ellerslie.

All's Well has been going sound races and is a past winner on the course.

- NZPA