The TAB brought Queensland's Hardline in from $8 to $6 even though he's drawn awkwardly at No 11. His appearance made an impression when worked at Ellerslie on Tuesday morning.
The interesting acceptor is Nigel Tiley's second runner, The Justice League, who eased to only $5 from $4.50 as the race's first emergency.
He is thought by many to be the equal of any of this season's juveniles.
Lucky In The Draw: Showboy (1), Selfie (5), Bella Court (4), Strata Lady (6), O'Dianne (2).
So-so: Maritimo (8), Windborne (7).
Unlucky: Dal Cielo (16), Hardline (11), Gotham (12), Ilikai (14), China Silk (17).
The Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained Maritimo remains favourite even though a couple of barriers wider (No 8) than her connections would have liked. She eased from $4 to $4.50.
Meanwhile, a proven combination will be back in business at Trentham on Saturday when Sam Spratt is re-united with Perfect Start.
She won the Cup Prelude at Awapuni and the Manawatu Cup on the mare before they were checked out of contention in the City of Auckland Cup at Ellerslie.
Danielle Johnson picked up the winning ride last weekend in the Trentham Stakes, but Spratt will fortuitously be back in the saddle for the Platinum Homes Wellington Cup.
"Danielle had first choice and she's sticking with Cursive," trainer Wayne Hillis said.
"Sam hasn't ridden for us a lot, but I'm more than happy to have her on and she knows the mare well."
Perfect Start looks ideally placed to continue on her winning way after downing Decorah and Delveen seven days ago with 54kg.
"She's eaten up well this week and I'm really pleased with her," Hillis said. "She drops a kilo on last week and she doesn't have to improve much to be right there again."
The Matamata horseman has a strong supporting cast engaged at Trentham with Levantos (R1), Vincent Street (R2), Letmego (R3) and Nothing Trivial (R8) all having genuine claims.
"Levantos is a one-pacer and he's got an extra 200m to go on Saturday, which will suit him," Hillis said. "He hasn't got much of a sprint."
Vincent Street finished second behind the group winner Moozoon on the first day and he's thriving on a regular diet of racing.
"He's backing up for the third Saturday and he's doing very well," Hillis said.
Letmego won two in a row before she found a mile beyond her in the Eight Carat Classic and is back to 1200m on Saturday. "She went too fast out in front at Ellerslie," Hillis said.
Nothing Trivial was a solid last-start sixth in the listed Marton Cup and back in the Rating 85 grade he should give another honest account of himself.
Fields for the weekend features include:
Ellerslie, Sunday
R3 6.13pm NZ Bloodstock Insurance Karaka 3YO Mile, $100,000, 3YO SW, 1600m. - Volkstok'n'barrell (1), Rockfast (7), Stratocaster (3), Woodsman (5), Dartmoor (4) 56.5; Tavy (6), Listowel (2) 54.5.
R5 7.20pm Karaka Million 2YO, $1,000,000, 2YO SW, 1200m. - Showboy (1), Dal Cielo (16), Hardline (11), Gotham (12), Selfie (5), Savason (3) 56.5; Maritimo (8), Windborne (7), Ilikai (14), Bella Court (4), China Silk (17), Strata Lady (6), Platinum Express (15), O'Dianne (2) 54.5. Emgs: The Justice League (10), Perfect Harmonee (13), Scooter O'Reilly (9) 56.5.
Trentham, Saturday
R7 3.53pm Harcourts Thorndon Mile, $200,000, 1600m. - Pure Champion (18), Nashville (1) 58; Puccini (4) 57, Soriano (10), Julinsky Prince (8) 56; Diademe (14), Ringo (7), Silverdale (16), Mighty Solomon (6), Benzini (9) 55; Emerald Queen (2), Slice Of Class (5) 54; Abidewithme (15), Kisses (17) 53.5; Pondarosa Miss (11), Miss Three Stars (3), Miss Pelear (13), Genius (12) 53.
R9 5.13pm Platinum Homes Wellington Cup, $200,000, 2400m. - Alpine Heights (4) 59, Ransomed (18) 56, Red Ripper (8), Our Bee Jay (17) 54.5; Just The Tip (19), Graphic (15) 54; Langdon (13) 53.5, Perfect Start (7), Tempelten (1) 53, Esprit D'Or (6) 52.5, Decorah (12), Anniesstar (14), She's Insatiable (2), Maygrove (5), King Kamada (11), Awesome Goal (3), Cursive (9), Dubai Shuffle (10) 52. Emgs: Ekraarstatic (Scr), Sworntoperfection (16) 52.
- additional reporting, NZ Racing Desk.
