Racing: Useful gallopers get to show jumping prowess

The opening of the jumping season is probably not the time to be opening your punting shoulders, but the Te Rapa card for this afternoon looks relatively secure.

Relatively in that the track should be heading towards a very good easy rating and the jumping races look, if not clear cut, then reasonably obvious.

Princender (No 5, R1) and Rogue King (No 3) are making their jumping debut and their respective trainers Kevin Myers and John Wheeler are outstanding in the development of young jumping talent. Both these horses were pretty useful on the flat and they need only to show proficiency at jumping to make a name for themselves. Princender has won a recent jumping trial easily. Rogue King has not had a trial, but it is not unusual for a Wheeler horse to do all its jumping in private. They hold the key to this race and you can confidently revolve your betting around them. Throw in Dondinello (No 2) and you should have the race covered.

Difficult to know how significant are the beaten performances by Our Front Line (No 2, R3) at the two out-of-season hurdles races at Ellerslie on Boxing Day and January 1. It is fair to assume the close-to-firm conditions did not help and the track will be only marginally closer to more comfortable for him today. But trainer Paul Belsham is very happy with him and Our Front Line is worth the risk that he will perform up to the high level that made him the country's most promising emerging hurdler last winter. Two flat runs have him in good shape and what beats him should win. The win of Cuzzie Bro (No 9) at Hastings last start puts him in with a live chance. You had to like the way he put the pressure on a fair way out and stuck on. If he uses the same tactics, he may find out any fitness vulnerability Our Front Line may have. Veteran Ultimate Conquest (No 1) is certain to run a race.

Despite the fitness reservations by co-trainer Sheryl McGlade, Bart (No 1, R5) is going to take plenty of beating in the Martin Althuizen Steeplechase. The race should be perfect for him and although it is fair to assume he will take plenty of benefit from the experience, his bold style of racing should get him close to the winner's cheque. Deceit (No 3) is the real emerging horse and trainer Tony Cole is delighted with her preparation since winning here three weeks ago.

You won't make money simply backing Darci Brahma (No 1, R2) to win the juvenile. If you like $1.40 then go for your life, but the trifecta might be the way to go with anchoring another single horse to finish second and perhaps three or four for third. Spare The Detail (No 2) is going to get her chance to finish second. She comes in fresh, which seems to suit the Sandtrap horses and in her previous two runs finished second to the very slick Crepe De Chine and Waikeepadacash. She has drawn barrier No2 and should be right in the race from the jump. Mr Jinky (No 3), and Momento (No 6) will be right near the finish.

Bellevue Lass (No 12, R4) is a strong chance to quit maidens. She has finished powerfully for third in both her 1200m races so far and will be greatly helped by the jump to 1400m. A mid-field draw should be useful for her - it should prevent any chance of being locked up - and you should see her emerge at the leaders halfway down the home straight. Kong Kuen (No 4) and Garnet (No 5) should not be in maiden class long.

Autumn Star (No 1, R6) is a bit dour, but he is threatening to win one and this 1600m maiden looks a good opportunity. He has got back in some of his races and stayed on the pace in others - somewhere in between would be perfect here and the inside gate should allow that. Mistral Wind (No 11) and Sceal Eile (No 10) appeal as trifecta hopes.

The open 1600m is tricky. You have to fly against the record books, but Travellin' Man (No 1, R7) can finally get over the top of his 14-zip record at the distance. If he comes close to his effort to finish fifth in Calveen's Easter Handicap at Ellerslie, he will go very close. Mr Robert (No 5) and Double Ar Be (No 7) are right in the race.

The Hillis stable is talented at getting horses to win fresh and there is confidence Boulevardofdreams (No 7, R9) can go close in her first race since the American Oaks in Los Angeles last July. She had a nice quiet barrier trial at Te Awamutu recently and does well for a mare of her quality to drop back to one-win grade here. Haylee Baylee (No 8) deserved to win last start after coming from the outside gate and, unfortunately, she has drawn wide again.

Freshened up, Royal Entertainer (No 5, R9) looks set to get back on winning track. He can handle most types of tracks and footing with just a little give in it today should suit admirably.

An even lot in the last, but for Pick6 punters Gibby The Burglar (No 7, R10) and Patrol (No 3) should be kept safe.

Etoile Du Nord looks to be a strong chance to put further points up for New Zealand at the Adelaide carnival this afternoon.

The Matamata mare tackles the A$125,000 Carlton Draught Stakes (2600m) and with only 52.5kg to carry around she will get her chance in what is her final lead-up to the Adelaide Cup on Monday week.

Australian jockey Rhys McLeod rides Etoile Du Nord. Noel Harris felt that last start the mare would have won the Hawkes Bay Cup instead of finishing second to Envoy had she landed the run the winner got. On the basis of that she rates highly today.

Sedecrem and Dezigna are attacking the A$150,000 Sir Byrne Hart Stakes in Brisbane and Rokocoko, named The Real Rokocoko in Australia and Atapi take on the A$175,000 Queensland Guineas.