Racing: Yearn-ing to prove point at 1400m

Heroic Valour will keep Melody Belle and Volpe Veloce honest in today's 1200m open handicap at Ellerslie. Photo / Race Images

Yearn has only six rivals in Race 4 at Ellerslie today and that epitomises the entire twilight meeting, compact fields packed with potential.

The smart Matamata mare ended an impressive run of wins at Ellerslie last start, but she found the 1200m too short and was beaten by a good one in Rocanto. She steps up to her more favoured 1400m today and although this is a fair bit better field than it appears on paper. She will be difficult to hold out.

Ruud Not To is looming into form and although it won't be easy under 59kg topweight, she will be competitive.

The -077 formline does not look impressive, but What A Diva (No1, R1) has been working up to a suitable middle distance since coming back to racing and finally finds a suitable race. This is not a strong line-up and the 3kg apprentice allowance What A Diva receives should see her competitive. Thailand (No2) is tough.

Bucky (No7, R2) showed potential in the latter part of last season and looked good finishing second at Ruakaka at his only raceday outing. He was eased and should be in for a good campaign. The only issue is a slightly wide barrier, but this is a smallish field. Sir Linwood (No8) ran a nice fourth in a useful field at Te Rapa and will get some of this.

Fullinbloom (No8, R3) was beaten at Pukekohe last start but that was in group two class and drops way back in grade for this. She has ability. So does Princess Kereru (No4), who should get the perfect trail from her inside barrier. Rikki Tikki Tavi (No7) and Rose Imperial (No3) are strong chances in what is an intriguing race.

Zacada (No4, R5) will be a short-priced favourite and justifiably so. His form in better company than this last preparation was useful and Craig Grylls, just back from Singapore, should give him the run of the race from a nice gate. The danger could be stablemate Victory Drive (No5). He has had only one start back this preparation and should improve further with this run, but the Baker/Forsman stable wouldn't have him in this unless he was somewhere about his form. Keep Up (No6) deserves some attention for multiples.

One of the real features this afternoon is the clash between Melody Belle (No9, R6) and Volpe Veloce (No4) with both coming off breaks. Both are females of rare talent. In real terms here there little between the pair and the best run in transit will probably determine the result. We are giving a narrow edge to Volpe Veloce, who should retain a measure of her residual fitness after a spring campaign. Heroic Valour (No3) and Rocanto (No5) will keep them honest.

There is going to be massive interest in Prom Queen (No7, R7) after her well-beaten performance in the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton. She comes back to 1400m from 1600m and should be suited. The interesting point is can she peak again after a tough trip south? She can win and it would be hugely popular. With the likes of Florence Jean (No8) involved there will be no loitering. Difficult race to speed map, but Spring Heat (No11) has at least place claims.

The last is yet another interesting race. Magic Chai (No2, R8) came from last to win at Te Rapa last start and was impressive even if he copped a saloon passage around the field from the 600m. Should be right in it again. Excalibur (No5) gets to a distance that suits for the first time this preparation and looks well up to this grade. Nina Arora (No6) impressed when placing last start and Belle Testa (No8) is on the way up.

Kawi (No1, R8) is going to take all the beating in the $200,00 Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes weight-for-age feature at Trentham today. He has been beaten in each start this preparation, but this race looks more suitable than any of those. Miss Wilson (No9) and Coldplay (No10) and Sensible Princess (No8) are the main dangers.