Racing: Moneytree steps up at Ellerslie

Angelica Hall will be in a tough battle at Manawatu today. Photo / Trish Dunell

Nothing was going to beat Albany Reunion at the Derby/Cup carnival at Ellerslie, which made Moneytree's third placing an excellent effort.

He steps up to his favourite 1600m trip in Race 7 at Ellerslie this afternoon, which makes his $5 Final Field TAB offering quite attractive.

The niggling doubt is not his own weighting of 58.5kg, but the relativity - 5kg all up - between him and the improving The Last Shower with Bridget Grylls' apprentice allowance. Maybe Moneytree each way with a smaller win saver at the same $5 on The Last Shower.

There are no over-the-line certainties at Ellerslie today.

Increasing weight has restricted the recent opportunities for apprentice Alex Forbes, but he's more than half a chance to take the first two races this afternoon. Eskabar (No1, R1), trained by his brother Mark Forbes, is a tough improving stayer who deserves a win.

He was beautifully ridden by Michael McNab at Matamata last start, grabbed them in the home straight and looked certain to win until Letmeby came along. That's good form for a race like this.

It's difficult to rate the emerging talent in Race 2 for the juveniles because most of them have little or no racing experience. Darci's Dream (No1) does and is the only winner in the race. He has drawn nicely and can improve on his last-start Hastings third. Borntoachieve (No2) and Eyesonyou (No8) appeal as dangers. Eyesonyou has been getting to the finish strongly and should be aided by the slight step up to 1300m.

Funhouse (No8, R5) had a bit of ground to make up on talented Von Krumm at Matamata last start and couldn't do it. She is extremely talented and having been freshened up she should run a very smart 1200m from a nice draw. The 1kg Bridget Grylls takes off is handy.

Dufellforte (No7) could be the quick improver after one run since his long break. He has ability.

Revelator's (No7, R6) formline of 07259 doesn't create excitement, but beneath that are pointers to an approaching win. He stepped up to a suitable 2100m last start, but couldn't find racing room. That followed a close-up fifth at 1600m. He looks well placed today and Michael McNab's considerable ability will take him close. Ready Steady's (No6) last-start fifth was probably better than it looked.

It's not easy for 3-year-old fillies racing the older horses, but Rowena Smyth's 2kg claim will assist Dresden Park (No5, R8) today. She has had five starts at Ellerslie for three wins and has a nice draw here to take advantage of. Villars (No10) is smart and improving, but the wide gate is an issue.

At Manawatu's big group one raceday, a battle is likely to loom between Kawi (No4, R3) and northerner Angelica Hall (No9). Kawi returned to winning form last start, but he will need to be at the top of his game to topple Angelica Hall, who looks on her way to headline achievements. No one expected her to beat Bounding at Ellerslie last start and she couldn't, but her second was a fabulous effort. Great highlight early in the day.

Justice is not found under every blade of racetrack grass, but even a little of it would help see O'Marilyn (No8, R7) go close in the $225,000 The Oaks Stud Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes. She is already the leading stake earner in this field by quite a distance and that would be a whole lot more but for Vespa.

Wide draws have counted heavily against O'Marilyn and it might be the same story again today from No12, but with an even break she can provide Stephen McKee his first win in this race for 20 years.

Local Platinum Balos (No9) has been getting home strongly in her races and will appreciate the distance and McKee's other runners Passing Shot (No4) and Prince Mambo (No1) have the class to be right in it.

The Awapuni Gold Cup is Nashville's (No1, R9) chance to prove he can successfully manage 2000m. He has had three attempts, but none of the factors that have brought him undone in that trio of races are present today. To his advantage, he likes the Manawatu racetrack.