Racing: Start preparing now for $1 million Pick6

Veloce Bella. Photo / Greg Bowker

The going was just as testing for punters as it was for the horses on Saturday and Sunday, with outsiders ensuring the Pick6 will jackpot to $1 million at Ellerslie this Saturday. Hopefully, we will enjoy some sun and drying winds to firm the track up.

BACK THESE:

Maradonna: Blinkers on for the first time and won easily. That won't be the last.

The Knight: Slow away and covered plenty of extra ground afterwards. Still learning and will be useful when he gets it all together.

Red Ric: Came from last to be not far away on a day when you had to be handy on the corner.

Bella Rosalia: On the surface slightly disappointing when third, but got back and covered ground under sufferance in a race when the other placegetters stayed on the pace. The pattern next time might suit her better.

Almost the entire Gold Trail Stakes field: There were some good runs and the form might not literally hold up, such was the way the race was run. Miss Thorn and Magic Briar had little luck and Banchee is the big improver.

Cadonna: Brave when fighting on along the inside when out wider was more beneficial.

Backup: Made up good ground late. Getting fitter now and would appreciate decent footing.

Veloce Bella: Storming home late from clear last on the bend. Fitter for that and will now be screaming out for a middle distance.

Veloz: Broke clear perhaps a fraction early in the home straight, but anyway was beaten by horses in probably better footing wider. Will take a lot of improvement.

Veronica Franco: Under-rated mare who ran home strongly over 1400m fresh from a spell. Look for 1600m-2000m.

No Cash: Second again - that trend has to finish somewhere. Racing strongly and deserves one.

GIVE HIM A MEDAL:

Old Sir Slick almost went unnoticed running home strongly from last to be just 2.3 lengths behind the winner in the sprint. And he's never won at 1200m. What a marvel.

HEAD SHAKERS:

The three favourites Halls, Dancing Diamond and Elblitzem nearly running the trifecta at the back of the field. Halls and Dancing Diamond might be feeling the effects of those terrifyingly heavy tracks at Riccarton. Elblitzem was found to have a slow heart recovery when vet checked. So did punters.

BY DEFAULT:

With the above three out of business, Soph destroyed Pick6 punters with her longshot victory. She'd been beaten 25 lengths and 38 lengths at her previous two. That's what you call a form reversal.

NO LUCK:

Don't Say Clang tried hard after being posted three wide without cover. Probably would have won with a trip.