Racing: Look for class at Ellerslie

Awapuni visitor King Kamada is one of several chances for the Auckland Cup today. Picture / Trish Dunell

The Cup may be a tough ask but it’s not too hard to build up a bank before the big race

Class should prevail in today's support races at Ellerslie. Class like Saavoya, Atacama and Allez Eagle.

Saavoya (R6, No 1) had to literally force her way into popularity over the holiday period and did it in style. At level weights and from a perfect barrier this time she looks magnificently suited. Charmont (No 2) and Palace Rock (No 5) should be suited.

Charmont gets home strongly in her races and will appreciate the additional 100m and Palace Rock is much better than her 3085 formline reads. Keep her safe, she could be on the verge of good form.

King's Cross (R1, No 3) did a huge job on debut, stumbling at the start and finishing strongly into second. He gets his chance here. Marciano (No2), yet to be out of the money in three starts, is in the right place to go close.

It was only late in the race that they got to O'Dianne (R2, No 8) in the Karaka Million and her fourth placing said a lot about her ability. The No 2 barrier will be a big advantage.

Gotham (No 2) didn't get all the breaks when fifth in the Karaka Million last start and from a comfortable draw rates highly.

In what should be a big day for Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh, Alicudi (R3, No 1) is in line to get his initial victory while favoured with the rails barrier. His form in five starts has been excellent and he deserves a winning turn. Gun Eagle (No 9) is a debut horse with winning trials form and deserves respect from the Pike stable. Zucchero (No 6) can run a big race fresh.

Allez Eagle (R4, No 1) has enormous potential. None of his past three wins have been flukes and coming in nice and fresh here will suit him perfectly, as will his lovely barrier. Onlyarose (No 5) was beaten last start in the group one Telegraph, but this is no Telegraph field. She has been freshened and is capable of winning if she gets a touch of luck from a slightly awkward barrier.

Stablemates Darci's Dream (No 10) and Angelica Hall (No 9) are in this race with potential to upset multiple bets.

Race 5 is tough. Dartmoor (No 3) has the latest form on the board and his second puts him in here with at least an each-way chance. No standouts here, but Rubee (No 7) deserves plenty of attention.

Imperial Hawk's (R7, No 6) form had been useful, but her runaway victory here last start lines her up for favouritism. There was an air of real authority about that and she should be capable of going on with it.

Rasa Lila (No 1) is on an upward spiral and although Celebrity Miss (No2) switching to right-handed racing puts an air of doubt in the equation, she has good potential.

Atacama (R8, No 2) has a great record fresh and an even better one at today's 1400m distance, four starts for three wins and a placing. The last start was in the Rich Hill Mile and she is much better placed here. Pussy O'Reilly (No 4) has drawn awkwardly, but she is a lot better chance here than her form reads. She is excellent and under-rated at her best. The real roughie in the race is Kisses (No 5), but the draw here is also not ideal.

Nothing stands out in the last. Santiago's (R10, No 2) form is such that he rates highly. He got home strongly over 1400m last time and has 1600m here. Blue Wagon (No 1) will open favourite.

Finding a winner

• Kick the day off on the right note by backing King's Cross in the first at Ellerslie this afternoon.
• Saavoya has raced the best fillies all season and will be hard to beat in the Sunline Vase.
• The best quinella of the day could be Saavoya with her stablemate Charmont in the sixth race.