Alamer is a prospect in the fifth leg at Ellerslie today. Photo / NZ Racing Desk
A guaranteed $250,000 Pick6 at Ellerslie today and with a $147,000-plus starting pool, chances are it will go well beyond the quarter of a million.
The rail is out 11 metres, which at Ellerslie means it will be not impossible, but difficult to make ground from the second half of the field from the home turn. The rail out so wide affects the home bend camber with the possibility of dampening acceleration.
Race 1 at 4.45.
TOP PROSPECTS: Autumn Wind: Should have won last start at Te Aroha when held up for clear air early in the home straight. Still learning and should be improved for that.
Eden Rose: Running on well over 1600m lately and will appreciate the step up in distance. Probably needs to stay a fraction handier than recent runs, but from a nice gate that should be possible. Wide barriers last two starts.
Markwood: Improved from first-up effort. Threatened to win one last preparation and this looks a good opportunity. Value runner.
OTHERS: Run Forrest Run: Battled to get out at the 300m at Pukekohe. The third was fair and this is not a strong field.
Wide gate will not help.
Medini: Made a little ground into third over 1580m at Waipa. Fair chance on that over more distance here.
Sosecret: Made up some ground, but distant sixth at Waipa.
Second leg
TOP PROSPECTS: Luana Mana: Faded to fourth after leading at Taranaki last start, but not suited by the slow 8 surface. Better time before when run down late after working to lead from a wide gate. Racing pattern will be suited here.
O'Angel: Interrupted run late when second at Avondale. Improver.
Belanca: Slow away then made ground nicely to be just 1.3 lengths away on debut. Probably needs to get away quicker here, but has ability.
Date Night: Finished off okay at Waipa last start.
OTHERS: Dreamcrafter: Nice third after being handy throughout at Avondale.
Belle Amour: Close second at Cambridge barrier trial.
Keeper Girl: Covered ground then finished off strongly for close second at Cambridge trial when last seen.
Third leg
TOP PROSPECTS: Sabotage: Jumped well from outside gate but forced to go back when unable to get close to rail. Finished off well on a day when that was difficult.
Much better drawn this time.
Elfee: Beaten 1.5 lengths in very strong field here in April before being spelled. Stable gets them ready first up. Respect.
Mossomak: Very good runs in strongish fields lately. Opie Bosson has a massive job from wide barrier.
Alarose: Covered ground on home bend, but still finished off strongly to be narrowly beaten by a smart horse at Waipa. Repeat of that would put her in this.
OTHERS: Chatham Whisper: Has mixed her form, but smart on-speed runner at best. Needs to get across fast from a wide gate, but a prospect if she does.
Fourth leg
TOP PROSPECTS: The Rebel Knight: Good runs lately and Opie Bosson from the No1 barrier are good guides.
Shine On: Big finish from back for fifth at Tauranga last time. Still learning, but getting there. Needs to get out faster and blinkers will help. Big hope if settles in first half of the field.
Camino Rocoso: Finished strongly from the back of the field in a strong line-up at Te Aroha last time. Big chance on that effort.
OTHERS: Model Aye: Finished powerfully for equal third at Dargaville then raced greenly and got too far back at Te Rapa. Not the worst but barrier draw makes it difficult.
Forreel: Useful form, but has had her chances on both 3rd placings.
Happiness Is: Got too far back at Tauranga last time. Has ability, but can do a few things wrong. Upsetter.
Uabasso: Finished on stylishly from the back at Avondale in first start this campaign. May be more solid now.
Fifth leg
TOP PROSPECTS: De Niro: Game type who can fight hard. Recent form good enough to win this.
Palace Rock: Had to force her way out of a pocket at Pukekohe, but finishing effort was a bit less than her best. Has ability though and certainly enough to win this with peak effort.
No Need: Huge run to flash home from last on the bend to take second at Pukekohe last start. Would probably not want to get that far back here, but can't be ignored.
Alamer: Close up lately, but has lacked just enough finishing punch to take minor placings. Rates though.
OTHERS: Taken The Liberty: Wide gate an issue, but his second to smart one in Francaletta here last time puts him somewhere in the frame.
Caprikosa: Ran a smart time to win at Te Aroha.
ROUGHIES: Ryker: Doesn't always put it together, but a winner here and rates as a tote buster.
Lauberhorn: Last two runs just average, but close second to Coldplay three back puts her in here with at least some chance of surprising.
Sixth leg
TOP PROSPECTS: Cohabitate: Unlucky two back then big late finish for close placing here last start. Huge chance.
Zacata: Led them up and fought bravely for close third here last time.
Same racing pattern this time would suit.
Sacred Surfer: Forget last two races when caught three wide without cover from barriers 10 and 11. Shouldn't happen again from No 3 here.
Wildflower: Massive finish to be just behind the winner at Pukekohe recently. Often slow out, but a chance if she jumps better.
High Class: Rarely far away and fought strongly last time.
OTHERS: Douro: Mixed his performance last campaign, but won a similar race on this track.
Simplicity: Will be improved for first-up fourth. Can upset.
Shez Swanky: Veteran of just the two races. Capable of better than last time.
Poetic Affair: Could improve off first-up run to figure here.