Racing: New Year's racing guide at Ellerslie

Star galloper Melody Belle left the Windsor Park Plate field in her wake back in September at Hastings. Photo / Supplied

All the best bets for the races at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.

Race 1

10 Lucetta: A lightly raced four-year-old by Savabeel from the powerful Baker/Forsman stable who has filled a first four placings six times from eight starts. Won well over 2100m at Ruakaka and then finished close up over 2400 at Trentham.
Selections: 10-3-1-12
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Race 2

10 Yamuna: Capped off two 2nds and two 3rds from her first five starts with a dominant last start victory over 1400m at Tauranga. Has not failed to return a dividend from three starts at 1400m and favoured by an inside draw here.
Selections: 10-12-16-8
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Race 3

3 Whiskey Neat: An exciting two-year-old from the strong Tony Pike who created a huge impression when winning by 10-1/4 lengths on debut over 1000m at Otaki. Did run very wide when unplaced in a Te Aroha trial going the right-handed way around but should be better schooled up for this.
Selections: 3-1-2-4
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Race 4

1 More Wonder: An exciting three-year-old who finished 5tyh in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and has followed up with two impressive wins, the most recent over 1400m at Awapuni. Has been placed on a right-handed track and drawn well here.
Selections: 1-2-6-9
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Race 5

2 House Of Cartier: A well bred filly, by Alamosa out of the Auckland Cup winner Shez Sinsational. Scored a game maiden win over 1400m at Pukekohe two starts back and followed that up with a close 2nd behind Pinmedown over 1600 on this track on Boxing Day. Can go one better over 2000m here.
Selections: 2-1-6-10
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Race 6

11 Treasure: A talented four-year-old who was a stakes winner over 1800m last season and looks to be building to another win after three starts back in a new campaign. Ran home strongly over 2100m at Te Rapa last start and should appreciate the extra 100m here.
Selections: 11-4-3-16
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Race 7

4 Belle du Nord: A quality mare who has returned a dividend eight times from 16 starts and was Group 1 placed as a two-year-old and a three-year-old. Bounced back to her best with a strong last start win over 1600m at Te Rapa and has been placed on the Ellerslie track.
Selections: 4-7-3-12
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Race 8

2 Mongolian Marshal: A progressive stayer from the powerful Baker/Forsman stable who has recorded five wins and four minor placings from only 13 starts. Followed up a 2nd in the Counties Cup (2100m) with a dominant last start victory in the Waikato Cup (2400m). Looks the one to beat again.
Selections: 2-1-3-6
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Race 9

1 Melody Belle: An outstanding four-year-old who has won eight of her 15 starts including three at Group 1 level. Has not raced since scoring a dominant 1-3/4 length victory in the Group 1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings three months ago but has been super-impressive winning two recent trials..
Selections: 1-4-2-8
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Race 10

5 Sacred Day: An exciting four-year-old from the strong Tony Pike stable who has won two races and has not finished further back than 4th in his seven starts. Followed up an unlucky 2nd over 1400m at Pukekohe with a dominant last start victory over 1600 on this track. Well placed to repeat here.
Selections: 5-2-11-7
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Best: 4 Belle du Nord (Race 7)
Next: 5 Sacred Day (Race 10)
Roughie: 16 Miss Rippy (Race 6)