Racing: Te Rapa distance ideal for So Pristine

Beautiful Girl hasn't drawn perfectly but can come from a bit off the pace in Race 8 at Te Rapa. Photo / Christine Cornege

So Pristine is a stayer of promise and gets the assistance she needs in Race 7 at Te Rapa today.

What So Pristine is looking for is a middle distance and today's 2000m looks perfect.

The Zabeel mare nearly got away with the 1600m at Ellerslie last start - she finished fourth in a close finish and was just half a length from the winner.

She drops a rating band in this race and although she goes up to 57.5kg, there is only 3.5kg to the bottom of the handicap.

She looks a good prospect with Caratacus and Twoeezy obvious dangers.

Holy Moly (No6, R1) did enough in winning at the recent Cambridge barrier trials to suggest she could make a real showing on debut today. Helping will be that all except Perfect Katch (No5) are similarly unraced.

Cool Storm (No4, R2) has been in great form with a close third to Singapore Sling and Dating in the Soliloquy Stakes at Ellerslie, followed by her handy fourth behind Twilight Savings in the weight-for-age at Rotorua last time. That is great form for a 3-year-old race and, being a touch on the smaller side, her apprentice claim is going to come in handy. Happy Man (No2) looked very good making a winning debut at Rotorua in the winter. He looks a young horse with real ability. Annie Higgins (No6) and AB O'Reilly (No1) need to be put in for the trifecta.

Royal Queen (No13, R3) might be an upset chance on debut in a race where nothing really jumps out of the pages. She has won both her barrier trials and Jim Campin knows how to get them ready for a fresh effort.

Race 4 is probably a no-bet race, but Glendoveer (No7) has got home so stylishly in her two starts this preparation that she has to make some appeal. Her wide gate is a slight issue.

Gallant (No1, R6) has 58kg, but he has some good stats going into the race. He's had two wins and a placing from three Te Rapa starts and has won two of his three races at this 1600m. He found the 1200m too short when resuming at Rotorua and will be fitter for this. The wide barriers won't help Noble Warrior (No6) and Cosabella (No14) but both can still feature.

Beautiful Girl (No5, R8) can run close in her first start for trainer Yves Seguin. Two of her three starts this season have been on unsuitablely wet tracks she can be forgiven. She hasn't drawn perfectly, but can come from a bit off the pace. Vonusti (No2), Riomoral (No11) and Miss Raggedy Ann (No4) are the dangers.

Italian Princess (No9, R9) has shown real ability and although drawn wide and with some strong chances to beat, she makes a lot of appeal this afternoon. She has been brought on by two barrier trials for a win and a second and will be very competitive. Siem Reap (No8) hasn't raced since March, but has previously won when fresh.

Handsome Mates (No5, R10) didn't get too many favours when resuming at Ellerslie and his third in a strong line-up was very good. If anything he should be improved. Exquisite Choice (No11) and City Blues (No3) are chances.

At Riccarton, Au Naturel (No8, R1) might not be a bad way to start the day. He had no luck at all before finishing fifth in the Wellington Guineas. He will find it easier here dropping back to R70 and he has James McDonald to help him.

San Bernadino (No1, R5) is probably going to be all the rage in the sprint, but Vincent Mangano (No6) could be a big danger at the weights. He gets 4.5kg off the topweight and the way he finished off when second at Hastings last start suggests the long straight here is going to be his friend. He took late ground off a very good horse in Altered Image.

Taranaki mare Ginella (No5, R6) has had no luck in recent starts. She is a lot better than her form reads and looks nicely placed on 54.5kg.

There is something wrong if you can't get a great contest for a million dollars and today's 2000 Guineas will be a magnificent race.

We Can Say It Now (No18, R7) was so stylish winning at Te Rapa last start she comes out as No 1 pick. She has speed and can rattle off a late finish. She won't lack competition, but she is the goods. Hammer Down (No8) has not had the same experience with just three starts behind him, but if he does things right he can poke into the trifecta.

There is no way to tell how good he might be. He's Remarkable (No11) is quite literally that, but might be slightly vulnerable in being staying oriented as well as having to go back from an awkward barrier. Watch for him steaming home. Twilight Savings (No16) is a race short in her prep, but is class and Jimmy Choux (No1) and Cellarmaster (No2) help make up a stunning race.

Race 9, the Metropolitan, is the NZ Cup lead-up, although a couple of the chances are missing here. Showcause (No15) has often been a frustrating horse, but his second at Ellerslie on Tuesday was better.

He may simply have needed racing and the back-up here might be an advantage.