Race 1
12 The Blue Diamond
The Blue Diamond is a debutant from the Robert Dennis stable who performed well in her only trial in the North Island when under Sam Mynott's care. There's no public trials/jumpouts to go off since this filly ventured south. While Lavender Haze looks extremely hard to beat off her runs against some of the better fillies, she is well found for mine. Willing to play The Blue Diamond as a 1×3 each way prospect at the better price.

Race 2
2 Donna Chiara
Donna Chiara was a pass mark in her first run in the South Island, despite being beaten as a $1.50 favourite. In a race with many first starters and not a great deal of strong trial form, Donna Chiara looks well placed to break through for her maiden victory. The blinkers and tongue tie now go on second-up. Expect to see her roll forward from the wide gate (11) and take some beating.

Race 3
1 Full Moon Fever
Full Moon Fever backed up to his impressive trial win when running exciting prospect, Age Of Discovery, to a neck margin at Riccarton last start. He looks the likely leader from the low draw (2), which should see him take all sorts of beating in what looks an inferior race to what he contest last time.

Race 4
3 Stokes
Stokes is first-up for Anna Furlong in the South Island, having been unsighted since trialling well at Taupo in January. While the lack of a public trial leading into his resumption and the wide barrier (12) are obvious concerns, he looks to have more upside than many of his opponents. Not a high confidence betting race with too many unknowns for mine, however, I am happy to speculate on Stokes at the price.

Race 5
2 In Awe
In Awe hasn't had much luck in his two runs back from a spell on the Riccarton Synthetic, where he was caught wide and working first-up, before getting blocked for a run second-up. While there's not too much to go off in his two runs this time in, he looks to get every opportunity to find something close to his peak here. Now third-up, stepping out to the mile and drawn low (1) with the weight relief of Donovan Cooper's claim, there's a lot to say a strong showing can be expected.

Race 6
2 Our Man Stan
Our Man Stan resumes here, having last been sighted running on well for 3rd at the Riccarton Synthetic in June. This race doesn't look to have an abundance of early speed, therefore I'm hoping Leah Hemi will be putting Our Man Stan into the race from the wide gate (13). If they go forward and he doesn't have to work overtime, this looks his race to lose.

Race 7
5 In Vegas
Tricky race to assess with very little tempo on paper. In Vegas has shown in the past she can sprint very well off a slow-moderate tempo, which could prove vital here. It looks like she will tag Charbano in running, which could be the right horse to follow in this.

Race 8
4 Paragon
Paragon's two runs in the South Island for Samantha Wynne have been pass marks, although he did do work in the run on both occasions. Tina Comignaghi takes the reins here, in a race where he looks as though he can lead, or find a handy position, without doing too much work early. This isn't the strongest field and looks a winnable race for Paragon.

Race 9
1 Strong
Strong finds himself in a very moderate maiden field here. While his last start career peak figure when running 2nd is a complete outlier compared to his prior form, he looks to get a great setup here to repeat that effort. He maps to lead this as he likes, while he gets in with only 54.5kg on his back after the claim and will only be fitter for the three runs this campaign.

Race 10
5 Eulogy Show
Tricky race to close proceedings at Phar Lap Raceway. Eulogy Show looks suited third-up and stepping up to the 2200m. This race looks to lack any tempo on paper, which is where I'm hoping Tina Comignaghi will seize the opportunity to send Eulogy Show to the front. If she does find the front, she looks a strong chance in an open race.