Intransigent (No1, R1) comes into today's race beautifully on 56kg with Jack Wong's 3kg claim. The one word of warning is that he is not an easy horse to ride and the relatively inexperienced Wong is having his first ride on him. He is so well placed that might not be enough to stop him, but it is an element of the race.
He's Dan (No5) has come solid in his two recent wins and Little Alfie Brown (No2) wins when least expected and has done that three times on this track.
We said after last week's Pukekohe meeting that form reversals would be the main element to come out of the meeting.
Horses that got back on the day were little hope and Kapsboy (No3, R2) was one of them.
He is twice a winner on this track, which is a great stat and don't be surprised if he performs better than last week's fourth.
Lion Red (No4) is worth watching.
Race 3 is a nightmare, but one who could be worth a look is Epicurean (No6). She was too slow to jump at her last start here and finished on late. She needs to begin faster and if she does she has the talent to figure. Sophie's Gem (No3) has a good Te Rapa record.
Maiden races at this time of the season can be difficult, but if Hallowed (No13, R4) can reproduce her debut finish she should figure here. She flashed home into third and should be improved for the experience.
Stella (No6, R6) hasn't been far away in decent fields in recent starts and deserves a winning turn.
Reka (No1) fitted into the racing pattern at Pukekohe and deservedly got the chocolates. It won't be easy here under 59kg, but he is one of the better chances.
That was a remarkable winning debut run by El Pascado (No4, R8). He looked no chance on the home bend and stormed through the pack to score easily.
He only has to produce a similar effort to bridge the gap to this stronger field. All Decked Out (No1) is the watch horse.
One of the better efforts of the late autumn was the runaway Ellerslie victory by Pondarosa Miss (No12, R9). She was spelled immediately and resumes here.
Kentucky Son (No2) and Rivertaine Coup (No13) appeal as dangers in a tough field.
• Hamilton trainer Graeme Rogerson isn't expecting Foxbridge Plate success today but he is anticipating bold runs from his pair, Costume and Soriano.
The Group One-performed duo resume in the Group 3 Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, a starting point which could yet see them contesting two of the biggest races of the Melbourne spring deeper into their preparations.
"It's a nice leadup for them into the Makfi Challenge Stakes," said Rogerson, who trains in partnership with his wife Debbie.
"It's 1200m on their home track. It's a distance short of their best but hopefully they are hitting the line nicely. It won't be easy for them but they are both class horses."
Costume, who won last season's Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa, impressed with a bold second placing at the Te Teko trials, while Group 1 Zabeel Classic-placed Soriano swept down the outside of the track the same day to win her heat.
Safely through the Foxbridge, the pair will contest the Group 1 Makfi Stakes (1200m) at Hastings on August 30. The programme for Costume could vary from there, with the A$3 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 18 the main target.
Soriano will contest all three legs of the Hastings Group One triple crown before a possible tilt at the A$3 million Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 25.
Meanwhile, the Rogerson-trained Cosmic Cube, another to impress at the Te Teko trials, will begin a new campaign at Taupo next Wednesday.
- Additional reporting NZ Racing Desk
