That race has tightened her up beautifully and she's in great shape for this week," Rogerson said.
Probably an even better guide to the chances of Serena Miss was the strong finish she produced to beat a top class field in the Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa before heading to Riccarton.
"I thought that was a very smart run and it would be good enough to win this race." No More Tears is the 1000 Guineas favourite after winning at Ellerslie last start, her second win from three races. She stuck on well that day and even her beaten run was sound when she finished fourth, just one length off Serious Satire at Hastings. She has yet to tackle the 1600m, but looks the type.
If the winner is outside these two it could come from any of them, but Let Her Rip is one who could be afforded another chance after being beaten last start.
Don't much like the New Zealand Cup as a betting medium. Confusing race and extremely open.
Tauranga looks to have some interesting contests. Opening the card, local Captain Cavalier (No2, R1) will appreciate the step to 1600m. He finished off nicely for fourth over 1400m last start and looks an ideal each-way today.
Not much doubt Close Up (No5, R2) would have won instead of finishing second at Ellerslie last start had a home-straight gap opened earlier.
That was his first start for nearly seven weeks and he should be improved by it. Also, he drops from 58kg to 54.5kg. Not a bad field and Mosse (No4) is the improver and Gustavo (No2) won nicely fresh on this track.
Billy Mojo (No1, R3) is the obvious bet in the 3-year-old, but the 58.5kg could be a bit of an issue. He has to give Del Rios (No7) 4kg and that might be a problem. Include both in multiples.
Paul, this addition to the bottom here is important ... any chance it can tack on.
Eight Points (No14, R4) won too well in maiden class at Ruakaka last start to not be given another chance in stronger company. She could be very useful.
Red Striker (No5, R5) was beaten fair and square when resuming as favourite at Te Awamutu last start, but she looked a touch plump despite winning a prior barrier trial. She should be sharper this time and will take beating.
Trainer Allan Sharrock says Kawi (No1, R6) is a little short of full fitness for today, but it is a $100,000 race and he expects him to still go close. What beats him will win and Sakhee's Soldier (No4) is the major improver.
A decent place bet in the last might be Augusta National (No4, R9).
She gets an allowance and looks well placed as an upsetter.
The minimum top weight for most handicap races in New Zealand is to rise by 1kg, to 60kg.
The change, which will take effect from December 1, will apply to all handicap flat races below Group 2 level. There will be no changes to the minimum weights.
NZTR is also amending the balloting conditions for weight-for-age and set-weight & penalty open age black type races. The changes follow a meeting of the Handicapping Review Panel, comprising representatives of the New Zealand Trainers' Association (NZTA), racing clubs, NZTR and independent handicap liaison officers, and have been endorsed by the NZTA.
It was felt that the current spread of weights had made it difficult for the horses near the bottom of the weights to be competitive.
"We expect that increasing the weight spread to at least 6kg will make those horses more competitive," said Matthew Hall, the general manager of racing for NZTR. "This will also aid the progression through the grades, particularly in rating 65 and rating 75 bands." The decision to increase the top weight follows similar moves in Australia. Victoria has had a minimum top weight of 60kg since 2012 and Racing NSW recently announced a 2kg increase in the minimum top weight, to 61kg.
