KEY POINTS:
Just seven days after hitting the headlines with her career first win, apprentice Danielle Johnson can do it again at Hastings today.
The daughter of topline jockey Peter Johnson has been entrusted with the high-profile ride on St Verdi, another trained by her bosses Russell Cameron and Gareth
McRae.
St Verdi's background is perfect for a $30,000 Rating 94 event. The distance is just right - all four wins have been at 1400m - and when you consider he was only one length from winner Donna Rosita in the group one Railway and only 6.5 lengths off Darci Brahma in the group one Telegraph, he looks well placed here.
The soft track conspired to beat St Verdi at Trentham last start and if a firm track combines with Danielle Johnson's 4kg claim, watch out.
The field for the $130,000 Hawkes Bay Gold Cup is so even you have to believe luck will play a big part. And perhaps riders.
For that reason Ring Of Fire (No2, R8) with Opie Bosson on his back, makes a lot of appeal. His trainers are sure that getting his tongue over the bit cost him his chance behind Sir Slick in the Awapuni Gold Cup last start and a tongue tie is being used today. He represents very good class at best.
There are plenty of chances and Cypress Point (No6) and Gorgeous George (No7) should be included in multiples.
Sir Prized (No8, R6) comes in nicely weighted. He won a Rating 94 event at Te Rapa carrying 53kg and has only 54.5kg in a Rating 83 at Hastings today thanks to Lee Callaway's allowance. Forget his last start; everything went wrong at Ellerslie. He could be at useful each-way odds.
Intermittent (No1, R10) is a smart animal. He came back from a decent break to finish second when resuming a couple of weeks ago and will be fitter for the run. The 58kg is no problem because there is only 2kg from top to bottom in the handicap. Take the short odds.
You might have to take the short odds on a few at Tauranga as well. Santagostino (No1, R4) gets 1kg off her 58kg topweight and looks a bit classy for the 3-year-olds. She is coming back off the 2400m of the Mercedes Derby to 1400m, but Mark Walker's polish makes that possible.
Millstone (No5, R7) is jumping up two grades to tackle the $60,000 final of the Winning Edge, but there has never been doubt he will handle this grade. He won only narrowly at Ellerslie last time, but it was a bit of a stunner after striking trouble. Tasha Collett gets another 3kg off his back.
That's My Char (No15) has looked smart, should be improved and won't mind some yield in the footing, which Tauranga can provide.
In an even field, Hagar (No3, R9) appeals each-way. Forget his Ellerslie run last start - everything went out the window early - and go on his strong finish to win on this track the start before. He is a bit underrated.
Mandela (No1) is close to a win. He resumed with a nice fifth at Ellerslie last time although lumbered with 58kg topweight, and has better class than some of these. La Force (No9) and Ritzy Lady (No4) are trifecta musts.
Loaded Command (No2, R6) is not only dropping back from group one grade, she is coming back a grade further than the Rating 83 she finished third in on this course two starts back. There is a win in her soon and if Thomas Russell can get her a decent passage, it could be here.