Racing: Volkstok'n'barrell can win at Ellerslie

Volkstok'n'barrell resumes from a break in Race 2 at Ellerslie today. Photo / Trish Dunell

Youngster is carrying joint topweight but he certainly has the x-factor

Almost certainly the most exciting 3-year-old we've seen this season, Volkstok'n'barrell resumes from a bit of a break in Race 2 at Ellerslie today.

Even with joint 58.5kg topweight, he should resume his winning ways.

The horse to beat - also the winner of two - Huka Eagle, shares that 58.5kg at the top of the handicap, making it a fair contest. Huka Eagle is classy and won well last start despite doing a bit wrong and is a horse that will improve. But Volkstok'n'barrell has the triple x-factor.

Jackpot (No8, R3) is unbeaten in three trips to the barrier trials and his debut today will be interesting. His chance may depend largely on how he clears the barriers from a slightly awkward wide draw. If he gets away well he might clear maidens at his first crack. Brilliant Way (No7) is another debut type who looked sharp at the trials.

Race 4, the 1400m maiden, is quite an even line-up and barrier draws will probably help to decide the result. For that reason Sound Proposition (No12) has some appeal. His debut 5th was useful and from an inside gate here he can improve on that. Another drawn well is Giant Turtle (No11), a Zabeel gelding that ran on strongly over 1200m on debut and who will appreciate today's distance.

Polish (No8, R5) comes in nice and fresh today and from an inside gate she is worth a look. She has shown flashes of real ability. Stolen Dance (No14) made an impression winning on debut and has drawn the rails to get the perfect run this time.

Allez Eagle (No4, R6) looked like he needed his first-up run at Te Rapa and is likely to be better placed today. His overall form is good and he's up to winning this.

Persuasive (No8) has won two from two this campaign and is going to be super-competitive.

Ryan Mark (No4, R7) has been beaten only once in seven starts and has kept stepping up and doing the job. This is a step up again and Mosse (No6) is likely to be more difficult to beat this time. He got well back off the pace over 1100m at Avondale last start and is better placed here at Ellerslie where he has not been beaten in three starts.

He is something special like Ryan Mark and the clash will be the day's highlight. Ruud Awakening (No9) and Durham Town (No1) are dangers for the multiple bettors.

Chazelle (No3, R8) gets up to 2200m and that's going to suit. She has improved with racing and this is a nice race for her.

Delveen (No10, R9) looks better placed here than in the previous race with more weight. From 54kg she is going to take beating if she produces her best again, which she hasn't always been good at.

At Trentham today, Letmeby (No4, R1) looks a good each-way in the first. He didn't get all favours last start and this looks like a nice race for him.

Barbaric (No4, R8) gets his chance in a race that suits. The wide-ish draw is probably okay in that he enjoys plenty of galloping space.

The $200,000 Captain Cook Stakes is a fabulous race and Shuka (No2, R10) is a great each-way prospect. He won this last year against a similar field and comes into this nice and fresh, a state in which he races best. Pure Champion (No1) gets a good barrier this time and looks the danger. The barrier draw beat him last start.