Racing: Patience could win punters some Kash

Winsome Kash is beautifully named to tip out in a punting column.

Well named as well for the owners of the promising Matamata filly going into today's Avondale meeting.

Winsome Kash (No16, R3) has banked only $1575 from four starts so far, but much more important, she has shown plenty of ability in those visits to the races.

On November 20 at Te Rapa she came back from a break and produced a stylish finish into second behind Line Dancer.

That was from barrier No 11 of 12 runners - today she comes out of an inside gate and should be perfectly suited. Jonty Da Scoundrel (No9) has promised a win and has had only three starts. His turn is close.

Gaze (No4, R2) is dropping back from stakes grades to R76 and should find it considerably easier, even though this is a very strong line-up for the grading.

Gaze stuck on gamely for third behind the talented Twinkling at Ellerslie two starts back then covered plenty of extra ground in Pulcinella's race at Te Rapa on Labour Day. She has drawn awkwardly wide, but if she can slot in reasonably well without covering too much extra ground she should be right in this.

Inshelucky (No7) got a lovely rails run when she quit maidens at Te Aroha, but she was still impressive getting the job done and Waitui Bay (No8) and Starliner (No1) are due respect.

Race 5 has drawn a very competitive field and the horse that receives the best run among the top six could win.

That could be Coup Christchurch (No7), who has not raced since March but is the type to sprint a nice 1200m when fresh. He has drawn No 2 and this would be the perfect time to take advantage of that. Lord Spectrum (No2) has drawn the rails and has the pace to take advantage. On Cup day on Wednesday, Avondale was suiting front running and on-pace horses and Lord Spectrum is right in this race if that pattern continues today.

Stablemates Aria (No4) and Sarajay (No3) have drawn awkwardly, but are capable of prominent runs.

Sardonyx (No7, R6) appeared to go only fairly at Tauranga last start, but that was at 1300m and the 1600m here should give her a much better opportunity to show something. She has been only lightly tried and has shown real promise on more than one occasion. It won't be easy to follow her usual pattern of dropping back today, but she has a withering finish at best.

The favourites Kind Return (No3) and Shereigns (No4) are right in the trifecta.

Difficult to see Crusoe (No1, R7) beaten in the $70,000 Skycity Avondale Guineas if things go even half his way. He covered extra ground in the group one 2000 Guineas at Riccarton and fought on for third to Darci Brahma and Captain Kurt. He is clearly one of the best 3-year-olds and from a nice inside draw he should get a good economical passage.

The danger is Pulcinella (No9), a tough little filly that you can rely on to give her best. She was close up behind Seachange in the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton, good form for this race. Laughing Stock (No8) and Joyful Life (No3) should not be far away from the trifecta.

Ex-Aussie Pretorious (No4, R8) won like a horse on the start of a run of form when he dashed away at Otaki last start. Trainer Jakki Good said everything is falling into place for Pretorious, who should get an ideal passage from the 2000m start from his rails draw.

Senorita Ivory (No3, R10) gets a good opportunity to come back to winning form. She has met stronger fields than this in two starts back in this grade and today's line-up looks well within her capabilities.