Racing: Rested El Perez looks to back up at Te Rapa

If you're talking about next-up efforts go no further than El Perez in Race 5 at Te Rapa today.

The class act's first-up second placing to Spinning Meteor at Ellerslie on April 15 was a gem.

It was on a firm track and none of the Ruakaka gelding's four wins have been achieved on anything but slow and heavy.

Sensibly, Dean and Donna Logan have given El Perez plenty of time to recover from that first run and he gets the right conditions to score his fifth win.

El Perez's best efforts have been when he has stepped up to a middle distance but with a month between runs and at the early stage of his preparation today's 1600m should be ideal.

That win of Madamvizelle's at Te Rapa last start was no fluke and although up in class for this, she rates as a real trifecta chance.

It will be a good training performance by Cambridge's Tim Carter if Danz Star (No4, R8) gets the money fresh from a spell today. Carter wanted to run the gelding here two weeks ago, but the respiratory assisting Cornell collar the horse wears was not officially endorsed for use before this week.

It means Danz Star has to run fresh over 1600m rather than 1400m, but the track will not be especially testing and he might just get away with it. Danz Star has been fitted for this with two barrier trial wins.

All's Well (No3) could be the trifecta surprise. He failed on a very heavy track here when resuming, but this footing should suit him a lot better. The jump to 1600m should also suit.

The Te Rapa track on April 29 upset so many horses and Teepeem (No7, R9) was one of them. He had looked very smart in winning two of his only three previous starts and is worth another chance today. Take no notice of the wide barrier, the 1600m start takes in the entire length of the back straight at Te Rapa. With a big apprentice claim, Wildgoosechase (No6) is another worth a chance after failing at Rotorua last week.

Imapins (No12, R1) is learning as she goes. That was a top run when she covered extra ground from a wide gate on this track last start and was beaten into second by The Gambler. The stock of Pins do not mind winter tracks and she should not be in maidens long.

Regular rider Lee Callaway has a big opinion of Del Toro (No1, R2), but with Callaway missing this time the promising sprinter will have no apprentice allowance. He will be ridden by Jim Collett and the difference will be that he won in this grade with 51kg last start and this time has to lump the full 58kg. That is a massive difference and might allow the likes of Vivaldi's Choice (No7) and Zamfir (No3) to get close. And the chances don't end there. Del Toro will give it a good shake, but take a few multiple savers.

Be careful in the sprint. The two topweights and clearly the best horses Don't Ya Lovett (No1, R3) and Go Thenaki (No2) are resuming from spells and according to trainer Allan Sharrock will be better for the racing. But Go Thenaki is claiming down to 53.5kg on a 53kg minimum and that will allow him the chance to get away with at least some level of lack of race fitness. If the odds come up on an each-way basis he's worth the risk.

It's a while since a jumper had a rap as big as the one on Praise The Lord (No11, R4). Two wins from two starts over fences is impressive and many, including the TAB, believe he'll still be unbeaten this time tomorrow. If he wins stepping way up in class to the Waikato Hurdles then he really is the coming hurdling star. Blakes Boy (No1), Peron (No9) and even Mr Barrymore (No3) are chances in an interesting field.

Nothing all day will drag more attention than No Hero (No1, R6). Even though it's difficult to make a case against the dashing grey, don't underestimate the task of carrying 68.5kg - a full 3.5kg more than the next in the handicap - over a tough 4900m. Cheer him home, he's the best we've got. Northern winner Just The Man (No2), Havana City (No6) and Crown Dancer (No7) look the best trifecta chances.

Star O'The Ball's (No2, R7) step up to 2000m should suit perfectly. That was a nice 1600m third on this track last start and although 58kg is a lot of weight for a mare, she is very plucky.

Prized Touch (No6, R10) was impressive enough winning last time out to warrant a chance to make it two straight in what is a tough get-out race.

His stablemate Cog Hill is a real chance to get the cash in his debut run at the Queensland winter carnival today.

He goes around in the A$100,000 ($122,000) Lord Mayor's Cup as a prelude to the A$1 million Stradbroke Handicap and on his latest form rates very highly. Australian Michael Rodd will do a good job in the saddle.

Roger James' Gaze will appreciate the step up to 2020m in the Brisbane Roses. She had to do work in the early stages when second in his Australian debut last start and looks well placed from the No 2 gate and with Darren Beadman in the saddle.