Hard race to get enthusiastic due to lack of runners. The favorite is a first starter who commands respect on debut. Heavy track will test all runners.

🥇 Top Contender: 3 Doubtable
First starter on debut. Keep an eye on the Terri Rae trained horse. Commands respect in this small field. The horse looks ready to go on debut.

🥈 Main Challenger: 2 Tivanova
Back from an 18 week spell. Finished 10 lengths off the winner last start at Riccarton Park when first up. Looks down to a race in town. Consider in exotics.

🥉 Value Contender: 5 Pocket Change
First starter on debut. An Emma Wyatt trained horse. Outside hope at bigger odds on heavy track.

It looks as though the top three selections will fight out this maiden race. The favorite has two placings at metro level and commands respect. Heavy track will test all runners.

🥇 Top Contender: 8 Bythesea
Amongst the placegetters at only start running second at Ascot Park. Has the speed to overcome drawing the widest barrier. Hard to hold out and the horse to beat.

🥈 Main Challenger: 7 Dubonnet Rouge
Has two placings from four runs this preparation at metro level. Finished strongly to end up midfield last start at Riccarton Park Synthetic. Commands respect.

🥉 Value Contender: 5 Rockman
Back from a six week let-up. Amongst the placegetters last start running third at Hawera. Can figure at value odds.

Doesn’t appear to be much pace engaged. The favorite was in the money last start and returns to metro class. Serious player on heavy ground.

🥇 Top Contender: 1 Taihoro
Kept chasing and just missed last start at Riverton. Not without each way claims and the horse to beat. Looks ready on heavy track.

🥈 Main Challenger: 10 Nasha Mala
In the money last start running third at Ascot Park. Racing back at metro class. Serious player at value.

🥉 Value Contender: 7 Empress Suiko
Has three placings from eight runs this preparation at metro level. Amongst the placegetters last start running third at Wingatui. In with a chance.

Hard to split the top two selections. The favorite won last start to break maiden and should go well. A runner returning from a long spell draws to do no work.

🥇 Top Contender: 11 Litteral
Back from a 30 week spell. Draws to do no work from the inside. Among the chances and the horse to beat.

🥈 Main Challenger: 13 Turn The Tide
Won last start to break maiden at Wingatui. A Kelly M Shearing trained horse. Should go well at value.

🥉 Value Contender: 9 Full Cream
Surprised punters to win at long odds last start to break maiden at Riccarton Park. Drawn well. Still in this at bigger odds.

Expecting a slow tempo with minimal pressure. The favorite has won last two starts and looks a big chance. A winner at this track returning to metro class looks threatening.

🥇 Top Contender: 7 Bakers Dozen
Winner of last two at Wingatui and Riverton. Big chance and the horse to beat. Looks very fit on heavy ground.

🥈 Main Challenger: 6 Tycoon Prince
Won once this preparation at Wingatui two runs back. Racing back at metro class. The real danger in the race.

🥉 Value Contender: 9 American Cheval
Disappointed when placing as favorite last start at Wingatui. Won once this preparation at the track two runs back. Could upset at value.

Can’t imagine one of the top two not winning this race. The favorite was strong in winning when resuming. A well drawn runner from a good stable can figure.

🥇 Top Contender: 14 Way Out West
Strong in winning last start at Wingatui when resuming. Keep an eye on the Stephanie Faulkner trained horse. A winning chance and the horse to beat.

🥈 Main Challenger: 7 Mawkeb
Drawn well for this race. A Joseph Waldron trained horse. Can figure at value odds.

🥉 Value Contender: 15 Who Rox The House
Won once this preparation at Ascot Park five runs back. Will have a soft run from inside gate. Dangerous at big odds.

Backmarkers may need luck with little speed in the race. The favorite won last start and returns to town. Should go well on heavy track.

🥇 Top Contender: 3 Sir Sterling
Won last start at Riverton. Racing back in town. Should go well and the horse to beat.

🥈 Main Challenger: 8 The Hangover
Won last start at Ascot Park. Comes back to race in town. Cannot be ruled out at value.

🥉 Value Contender: 4 Penvose Lad
Resumes from a 19 week spell. Last start winner at Wingatui. Should be thereabouts at bigger odds.

Looks a sit-and-sprint race with little tempo engaged. The favorite returns from a break coming off a win. A close top pick on heavy ground.

🥇 Top Contender: 11 The Boss Lady
First up after a 14 week break. Coming off a win at Riccarton Park when resuming. A close top pick and the horse to beat.

🥈 Main Challenger: 3 Mr Bully Tee
Placed once this preparation at Ashburton. Keep an eye on the Lance Robinson trained horse. Consider at value.

🥉 Value Contender: 12 Tralee Bay
Comes back to race in town. From a good stable. In with a chance at bigger odds.

Anticipating this to be a slowly run race. The favorite is a winner at first outing and looks a major contender. A last start maiden winner draws well.

🥇 Top Contender: 14 Moor
In the money last start running second at Wingatui. Won once this preparation at the track four runs back. Don’t dismiss and the horse to beat.

🥈 Main Challenger: 2 Marcus Attillus
A winner at first outing this preparation. Keep an eye on the Robert Dennis trained horse. Major contender at value.

🥉 Value Contender: 3 Strobe Light
Won last start to break maiden at Wingatui. Draws to do no work. In with a chance at bigger odds.

Backmarkers may need luck with little speed in the race. The favorite draws perfectly and looks down to metro grade. Has solid claims in this feature cup.

🥇 Top Contender: 1 Riviera Rebel
Drawn perfectly on the inside. Looks down to metro grade. Has solid claims and the horse to beat.

🥈 Main Challenger: 5 A Mandarin
Let-up for six weeks. Won last start at Ascot Park. The real danger in the race at value.

🥉 Value Contender: 9 Miss Enzed
Has the speed to overcome drawing the widest barrier. Has three placings from six runs this preparation at metro level. Each way claims.

Backmarkers may need luck with little speed in the race. The favorite returns from a let-up and just missed last start. Marginal top pick on heavy ground.

🥇 Top Contender: 10 Monte Khan
Back from a six week let-up. Kept chasing and just missed last start at Ascot Park. Marginal top pick and the horse to beat.

🥈 Main Challenger: 5 Quinto
Won once this preparation at Ashburton two runs back. Well drawn for this race. Consider at value.

🥉 Value Contender: 1 Flamboyance
Finished in the middle of the pack last start at Riccarton Park Synthetic. A T J Yesberg trained horse. In with a chance at bigger odds.