Racing: Punters may face tricky day should wet weather hit Ellerslie

You have to consider the prospect of rain for today's Ellerslie meeting - unfortunate after a magnificent few days of autumn weather.

It will change the form dramatically.

The first is interesting. Appiel (No 8, R1) has been fabulous winning his past two, storming home late like a horse really on the rise. Both track ratings were slow, but they ran the 1200m in 1:11.37 and the 1400m in 1:22.73, so it wasn't too bad.

Also, at Te Aroha last start, Appiel flashed home along the rails, which was the part of the track where you needed to be. Should he manage whatever conditions he gets today, he will be very competitive again. Te Horo Lass (No 10) looked good getting home strongly when resuming at Rotorua and will be suited if the rain arrives before the first. She is good in the wet.

Plenty of chances to choose from in Race 3 and Hula Belle (No 11) could be each-way value. She will be improved for her first-up run and if the track is wet she can get into the money at good odds. Harry's Pal (No 3) is not the worst chance.

If you didn't like the way Magic In Me (No 1, R4) finished off at both Te Aroha and Ellerslie you are hard to please. He has got to the line very strongly both times and will go close. Halogen (No 8) looked good on debut and appeared to handle a heavy track.

A heavy track might be a question mark, but The Grey Storm (No7, R5) has raced in stronger company than she meets here. If she manages conditions she should prove a handful.

Mr Trim (No 4, R6) is probably primed for a bold first-up run. He has been placed in heavy ground in his brief career and will be competitive. Master Zenno (No 1) is going to be suited by conditions and is right in this. Partner In Time (No 5) is a must for multiple bettors.

Stephen McKee loves winning races at Ellerslie and China Doll (No 10, R7) had her sole win in heavy conditions and will be suited if any rain at all falls. Monarch (No 5) and Shandream (No 6) are strong hopes.

Itsadream (No 11, R8) has won and been placed in slow and looks an ideal each-way hope in the last. Plenty of chances here, though. Lord Carson (No 12) is a real head-scratcher. The track was definitely too heavy for him when he resumed, then he was left three wide without cover at Ellerslie last start. Forgive him those and stay one more time because he has real ability. The value in the race is He's Got Music (No 14).

You had to love the finishing grit of New Moon to win the Winning Edge Final at Tauranga on Saturday.

In a competitive field he showed his failure on a heavy surface at the previous Tauranga meeting was all wrong. Jason Jago rode New Moon beautifully, cutting the home corner and the talented new addition to open ranks looks the goods.