Hasahalo contests the Eight Carat Classic today. Photo / Race Images
We've been saying it for a while now that Yearn (No3, R1) is a mare heading for the very best headlines.
She has been underscoring that lately and can take a further step at Ellerslie today.
The only blemish in her winning run was when she found 1200m too short finishing second two starts back. She rectified that over 1400m last start on this track and strikes her pet distance again. She jumps from 54kg to 56kg and that will not make it easy, but she's as tough as she is talented and the additional 2kg may not be enough to stop her. The Justice League (No1) can at times give punters a headache, but his latest form has a tinge of consistency about it and an A game effort would put him right in it.
The riders' ranks are interesting for the day. Former New Zealander Mick Dee comes back from Victoria for the day and will handle the likely favourite Nirvana In Fire (No3, R2) in the juvenile race. The barrier draw makes this an awkward punting proposition. Nirvana In Fire was super stylish winning on debut at Counties, but comes out of gate No8 today. He got over to lead very quickly from gate No4 in his first race, but this will be more difficult. If he lands the front he will be difficult to pull back. Bocci (No1) was also nice winning at his first appearance and the same could be said for Crystallize (No2). Thunder Dragon (No5) caught the eye making ground into third behind Nirvana In Fire on debut and he will have progressed with that experience.
Cheery Bay (No4, R3) would be an appropriate winner today for owner Alan Jackson, chairman of NZ Thoroughbred Racing. She was a bit stiff two back then finished close up sixth in a slightly better field last time. A few of these make appeal today and Cherry Bay is well placed to be very competitive. Camino Rocoso (No3) will be a warm favourite after a close up effort last start. He is struggling to win one, but appeals in a slightly easier field than he's been facing.
As the 2000 Guineas winner at the top of his form, Embellish (No1, R4) is entitled to go around as warm favourite against his own age. He's fresh enough for the 1400m and it's difficult to make a case against him. Ever Loyal (No2) is very talented and his third in the 2000 Guineas was an excellent run. He will appreciate the freshen up. Embellish's stablemate, Age Of Fire (No3) split the above pair at Riccarton and looks the big improver. This trio stand out here.
Plenty of room for a surprise in Race 5, but Ripley (No4) was so stylish winning at Te Rapa last time he will go around as the public elect. The way he stuck to his task in that win was impressive and will come in handy here against a pretty good field. Grand Soleil (No10) is in peak form and Lovelight (No11) could be about to show something. Lady Shabeel (No5) is in there with a hope. Go as wide as your budget allows in your multiples in this race.
Joy Anna (No9, R6) is making a big step up in class for this, but with just 53kg and from the No1 gate she will give it a good shake. She settled well in her most recent win and can produce a good kick late. Chambord (No1) was a good thing beaten at Te Rapa last week and is a good warrior, as he will need to be to carry 60kg topweight and concede 7kg to Joy Anna. He has a handy barrier and Opie Bosson to help him.
Andrew Calder is back from riding in Macau for Christmas and will take his gear to Ellerslie to ride Top Prospect (No3, R7) for father-in-law Richard Collett. He is a big chance to pull this off with the No1 barrier to help him. The problem will be King's Cross (No13), who failed to settle into Hong Kong, came back to Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh and scored a sizzling first-up victory here a couple of weeks back. He is ready to fulfil his early promise and comes in here on a perfect light weight. Monrecour (No6) and Rikki Tikki Tavi (No8) make this a very strong field. There will be wide betting and the exotics should be attractive.
Spring Heat (No3, R8, the Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic) could not possibly have been more impressive in winning here two weeks ago, sprinting past the leaders late in dashing style. This is a further step up, but she should still be at the improving stage. Hasahalo (No1), who found her real form in the big race at Riccarton and the favourite's stablemate Princess Rihanna (No2) will have their friends. Kapoor (No4) is a filly with real staying power and will make appeal when she steps up beyond 1600m for the first time, but she cannot run a bad race and is difficult to leave out of the exotics.
As mentioned elsewhere here, Hiflyer (No3, R9,) and Volkstok'n'barrell (No1) have most of the trump cards in the Group1 Zabeel Classic, but both will need to be at the top of their form. Most in this field are peaking at the right time for their grand final. Stablemate mares Lizzie L'Amour (No8) and Stolen Dance (No8) will get some of it with luck in running, a factor that will be critical in this race.
Only three-quarters of a length covered the first five home in the race Princess Kereru (No5, R10) contested at Ellerslie last start and if you take a close look at the replay you will see she should have won it. She was flattened when trying for a gap at the 320m, for which a jockey received a decent suspension. She is talented and although she faces a tough field here she deserves an each-way look. Elusive Treasure (No1) has been impressive winning his last three straight and would deserve to go around favourite. The issue could be that he has to concede Princess Kereru 4.5kg, but he is a must for all multiple bets. Odisha (No2) had a temporary respiratory issue last start and it is a total forgive effort. Rose Imperial (No3) is another must for the multiples.