Last start Spoke To Carlo destroyed a similar field to this by more than seven lengths and did not look extended to do it. No type of bad ground seems to worry him - it was atrocious when he won his New Zealand debut race at Ellerslie and he scored easily. Take the $2.80.
The flat races at the Pakuranga Hunt Club's meeting at Ellerslie today look much more wide open. Outside the amateur race (Race 2), Race 5 kicks off the professional flat affairs and it's difficult. You can make a case for a few of them, but there was something to like about the way Permesso (No7) put five lengths on the opposition at Tauranga last start. Yes, this field is up a rating band, but Permesso drops from 58kg to 53kg with Brendan Hutton's apprentice allowance and is in with her chance. Bahhton (No10) is hard and fit, having mixed hurdling and flat racing and is going to get through this very testing ground better than most. The Jungle Boy (No1) began awkwardly at Te Rapa last week and with the fierce early on-speed bias never got into the race. This will run differently and he comes in with a real upset chance.
Aaja Nachle (No1, R7) eased out in the closing stages of the Foxbridge Plate and beat only a couple home, but this is not even close to a weight-for-age race. She is a big mare and with her apprentice allowance the 56kg, only 2kg above the book minimum, is a luxury for her. The seven-day backup is the only question, but Frank Ritchie wouldn't be doing anything he felt the mare couldn't cope with. Any suggestion that on-speed runners can get home will be in her favour.
Six runners and it's actually a very tricky race, especially without knowing exactly how the track will play. You can make a case for most of the others, even Scholes (No6), who is jumping up two rating bands, but will go around with just 53kg. Interesting race.
Gesemi (No3, R8) will be all the rage as the winner of four of her last five. She hasn't raced for close to three months although she had a trial at Te Teko, finishing third over 1020m with little weight on her back. The 1600m is not her favourite distance, although she has won one of five at the trip and she will be competitive. A tough opponent will be classy improving staying mare Celebrity Miss (No2). She caught just about everyone, but not trainer Lee Somervell, when she won over 1200m at Otaki fresh from her spell. The jump to 1600m is going to suit. The racing pattern did not suit Mistaar (No8) at Te Rapa last week and she should not be discarded.
Arzak (No1, R9) will also be favourite in the last when trying to complete a winning treble. He showed grit to win at Tauranga last start and will need to again under 59kg here. Mr Doole (No5) beat only one home at Ruakaka last start, but it was a much better run than it looked. He was making ground at the finish and was just a couple of lengths away on a track way too firm for him. Today's conditions are going to suit him better.
Amanood Lad (No1, R6) should give us a great sight in what will be a wonderful Pakuranga Hunt Cup. Carinya (No2) and Snowdroptwinkletoes (No4) will make it interesting late in the race.
Thenamesbond (No1, R4) is classy and ready for his big test in the major hurdle race with Kings Deep (No3) a big danger and Just Got Home (No2) the quick improver.
West End has learned from his mistakes and the promising jumper will be out to seal a start in one of the country's premier events today.
Another bold showing in the Tractor Centre Open Hurdle at Ellerslie will earn him a return trip to Auckland in a fortnight's time for the Schweppes Great Northern Hurdle.
"I couldn't be any happier with the horse and Saturday will decide whether he carries on, as it will for a lot of the others so we'll see what happens," trainer Craig Phelan said.
West End has benefited from regular visits to the renowned Cambridge property of Ann Browne.
West End will again be ridden by Emily Farr, the partner of Phelan's son Shaun. Additional reporting: NZ Racing Desk
