KEY POINTS:
Northerners should make a splash on Riccarton's first big programme today.
It took a little while for Yao to find his 2-year-old form of last season at the beginning of this preparation, but he could well get right back on track in Race 3 in Christchurch.
There was
plenty to like about Yao's driving finish into fourth behind Lovetrista in the Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa last start.
He didn't get the best of runs through the race and was only three-quarters of a length from the winner, getting home strongly.
The key here is Riccarton's roomy, track and long straight. Yao likes to wind up and will never get a better chance.
The Pooka is a class act, but he had three hard races against the best at Hastings and has to concede Yao 3.5kg this time. It may be a fraction too much late in the race, although he is certainly the one to beat.
True Valour (No3, R2) could be about to strike form after two runs this campaign. He resumed at Wanganui recently and was forced to make his run up the inside when they were winning out wider and at Trentham last start he was a handy fifth in a strong field won by Easy On The Eye.
At this meeting last year he was capable of finishing 1.5 lengths off the likes of Woodbury Belle and Kimberley Boy. Good ground is his lurk and he might be slightly over the odds in this.
This preparation Prized Touch (No2, R4) has finished only a third and a fifth and the fifth was actually a last placing. But there is a sense he's about to reach form and this race presents him with a good opportunity to do so. The firm track is one of the keys and so it the long straight - at his best Prized Touch can really finish off his races.
Beersheba Knight (No5, R6) was a good thing beaten last start. He stood in the gates and watched the others go, losing at least four lengths and came from the tail of the field to be beaten 1.5 lengths.
He is another who can find the line strongly and who should be well suited to Riccarton.
It may not be wise to drop Duvauchelle (No13) for the failure at Riccarton last start. She is not the worst and should be at good odds today.
Whatever way you approach the 1000 Guineas, Lovetrista (No7, R7) looks the obvious one. There was complete dominance in her Soliloquy Stakes win at Ellerslie, then she got home despite difficulties at her only other start at Te Rapa.
She is the complete filly and although it's never easy to travel so far away from home and win, the other leading chances in the group one race have had to do the same.
It's easy to imagine Keepa Cruisin (No5) leading from her inside barrier draw and if she got away with a couple of easy sectionals will once again be one of those trying to keep Lovetrista at bay.
The way Everswindell (No1, R9) powered to the line to win at Ellerslie last start suggests she is going to have a giant Riccarton meeting.
She meets slightly tougher opposition this time, but offsetting that is a better level of fitness. Cape Cover (No3) and Taikorea (No5) are chances.
There have been a lot of impressive juvenile barrier trial winners lately and Nuke Time (No4, R1) is one of them. The Choisir colt has been fortunate to draw gate No1 for Mark Walker on debut at Te Rapa today.
Capistrano Angel (No13, R2) has been backed and beaten a couple of times in her new preparation, but she is worth one more chance in maiden class today. The wide draw is a slight problem, but she does have ability. So does Cote De Chine (No14).
Blue Grass (No6, R4) was only three-quarters of a length from the winner in fourth place at Te Rapa a few weeks ago. He looks a promising type and should be further improved. Yeah I Did (No2) hasn't had much luck.
Beauty Express (No3, R6) has been trying to chase down the likes of Rios and Lovetrista and will find this lot an easier bunch to handle. She is game and will appreciate the step up to the 1600m.
Bonaichi (No6, R7) won nicely at Hastings when resuming two starts back and was probably not that happy on a slow surface at Hawera last time out.
Back on the right conditions this time it should be a different story.
Great sprint field. Tatlock (No3, R8) is probably underrated. Take no notice of his unplaced effort fresh from a break - everything went wrong and he was never going to win given the run he received. He is better than that and will prove it from his No4 gate.
In a field blessed with chances, Accardo (No5) is a live hope and so is Inshelucky (No6).
The Gaffer (No2, R9) back from Hong Kong, fair bolted in at Hastings a few weeks ago. He stays in the same R80 grade and goes up 2kg. It'll be a surprise if that stops him.