Surely it can't happen two years running on this track.
Obviously the horse that won last year's contest, Lady Kipling, is the mare to beat again.
Her first-up win this preparation was stunning under a big weight.
Postmans Daughter is a chance and don't underrate Neena Rock.
Carlotta (No4, R2) has always been underrated. The likes of Biggin Hill (No9) here are going to be difficult to beat, but Carlotta has a determined finishing bid that is ideally suited to this track, on which she has already been successful. Carlotta's 4kg apprentice claim is likely to be very valuable.
Barrier draws win 2-year-old races. From the No 2 gate Xquisit (No8, R3) is going to get her chance. That was a pretty good debut run for second at Te Rapa, where not everything went her way. This is not an easy race to sort out, but Xquisit each way should not do too much damage.
Sacred Star (No4, R4) easily accounted for a classy type in Biggin Hill when resuming and stepping from that 1400m to 1600m is going to suit ideally. The No 16 barrier looks ugly, but there is a long run down the back straight before the first bend from the 1600m starting point and although barriers generally always matter, the gate should not come into play on this occasion.
Race 5 is another tricky contest, but after three consecutive seconds Neo (No2) is due his turn. He hasn't been beaten by great distances lately and this looks like his type of race. Opie Bosson is riding better than anyone and can get this bloke home. Don't leave Moneytree (No12) out of multiples.
More Than Sacred (No7, R7) was stiff two starts back then run down in the last couple of strides at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup day. She has now had the three races required to have her fit enough for the 2400m here. She has a nice draw to take up the right position in running to give her the right chance. She is a rugged stayer and this looks the right type of race on the right racetrack for her. Sierra Nevada (No11) is a similar type of strong stayer.
Annie Higgins (No10, R8) is a classy stayer and there is a sense of timing about her challenge for this race, the $100,000 DHL Counties Cup. She comes in nicely in the weights and her two races this preparation will have her exactly ready. That weight-for-age seventh at Ellerslie was a lot better than it looks on paper. A tricky contest as this race often throws up.
Thrive (No14), Thunderbird One (No2) and Chapinta (No12) are threats.
That fresh-up victory by Waterford (No7, R9) at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup day was no fluke. This is a class mare who has enormous upside and although jumping up to open company for this she will not be outclassed. Shandream (No2) is unbeaten at two runs at this 1100m, has won two from three on her home track here at Pukekohe and has previously won when fresh from a spell. The nice draw tops it off.
The Kaye stable are approaching their local meeting at Awapuni today full of confidence. The star of their small team is Iamishwara and they expect the 4-year-old to advance his record when he runs in the Scully's Products Bulls Country Cup over 1400m.
"On paper and the way the horse is he shouldn't really be beaten," said Nicola Kaye, whose husband, Tony, trains the gelding. "He's won three times on the track and he galloped really well on Thursday morning. Tony can't fault the horse.
"Aimee Taylor is on him and she's riding really well. Iamishwara can pull a bit and he's quite a strong horse so, hopefully, she can hold him.
"The plan is to step him up to a mile after Saturday. We haven't sorted out a specific race and we'll just take our time with him, there's no rush."
A winner last season on a Premier day at Te Rapa, Iamishwara was fifth behind the in-form I Do two runs back and then finished fourth at Awapuni after being blocked for room early in the straight.
"We're hoping he can finally get one - he hasn't had much luck this preparation," Kaye said.
Neither has the Palmerston North-based couple, whose stables were ravaged by a fire back in August with two ponies and some sheep killed in the blaze. A return to winning form by Iamishwara would be a well-overdue change of fortune for the Kayes.
He doesn't meet a field of great depth with Aldebaran Star a likely challenger for major honours after his run for second two starts back. He failed last time out, but the key to his chances is the step back to 1400m. additional reporting: NZ Racing Desk
