If you are going for the Derby trifecta today, you need to anchor everything around Danamite and Sir Clive.
The talented pair can quinella the race and Deebee Belle, who split them in the Avondale Guineas, can complete the trifecta again,
Sir Clive can take all the beating in the world in what will be his last race in New Zealand before joining John Size's Sydney stable for his new owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Kahilfa Al-Maktoum. His Avondale Derby third was fabulous considering the extra ground he covered and while Danamite will be extraordinarily hard to beat, the South Islander can do it for rider Grant Cooksley. Anchoring Sir Clive and Danamite with Deebee Belle, Hail, Ma Victoire and Lord Romar for the minors might be a useful way to go.
Star Satire (No11, R5) was beaten favourite at Te Rapa 10 days ago, but it was still a huge run to finish second to Giovana when the electric pace set by Tall Poppy would not have suited her. St Therese (No10) will not be easy to get past, but Star Satire has a terrific sprint when in form and there is no doubt she is as well now as she has ever been. Conquistar (No5) and Singalong (No9) are trifecta chances.
Tristate (No2, R1) and Okiwi Bay (No4, R2) are good chances to start the day and Krystal Klear (No2, R3) could have a huge battle with stablemate Regency (No2) in the third. Krystal Klear has 1kg more to carry, but has been very impressive lately. She is dropping back to 1400m from 1600m, but has not raced for three weeks and should be fresh and sharp for the task.
Flying Babe (No3, R4) has been freshened since winning untested at Riccarton last month and although drawn out a fraction wider than you would like, will take some beating. Cinnamon Girl (No1) was so impressive in her winning debut at Waipa that she rates a big chance from an inside barrier.
Bluebird The Word (No1, R6) looks the obvious horse in the Queen Elizabeth, but No Alimony (No4) can improve on her Avondale Cup seventh. Look for sudden improvement in Magic Winner (No3). He won this race last year with the same weight and needed his Avondale and Waikato Cup runs after missing work when he struck trouble in an aborted Melbourne campaign. Improver Ebony Honor (No9) is a trifecta chance.
It is 1095 days since Zonda (No7, R7) stepped foot on Ellerslie and he is trying to win today's $50,000 King's Plate. He will quickly need a middle distance, but should be sharp enough for the 1600m after just the one run. Bahnhof Zoo (No1) looked in great order winning a trial at Counties and looks ready to do something here.
Racing: Sir Clive and Danamite look like safe anchors
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