Pukekohe Race 1
7 Moschino
Moschino (#7) was very brave running 3rd at Ellerslie last start after sitting wide without cover throughout, sticking on strongly to the line. She draws wide again here, but she maps to get a good cart across the field from Golden Wings, which could see her land outside the leader if ridden positively early. If she gets that spot without burning too much petrol early, she looks well placed to have his measure late over 1400m.
Pukekohe Race 2
3 Atmospheric
Atmospheric (#3) produced a big run for 6th here last start over the mile after bombing the start and being forced to settle well back. The blinkers come straight off for this, and he should appreciate stepping up to 2100m. Expect him to drift back again from the wide draw under Craig Grylls and look to be warming into it late down the long Pukekohe straight.
Pukekohe Race 3
5 Billy Blinx
Billy Blinx (#5) worked home nicely from the back for 6th at Ellerslie last start, and he didn't appear to get all favours entering the straight. He draws to get a similar run here, but Pukekohe should suit him down to the ground. Expect Masa Hashizume to ride him patiently and look to unleash him over the top late.
Pukekohe Race 4
9 Lumumba
Lumumba (#9), a 2yo Ole Kirk filly on debut for Cody Cole, looks to have good ability based on her sole trial at Ellerslie last month, where she ripped through the line under minimal riding from Samantha Collett. She maps to settle back with cover and, if she reproduces that turn of foot, she could swamp them late.
Pukekohe Race 5
4 Kiwi Skyhawk
TIP OF THE DAY
Kiwi Skyhawk (#4) closed off powerfully into 5th here last start, making good late ground from the back. He looks even better suited stepping up to 2100m and should be ridden cold again, this timeunder Matt Cartwright. With natural improvement and a race shape that looks ideal, he appeals clearly as the one to beat.
Pukekohe Race 6
17 Flanagan
Flanagan (#17) didn't have much go her way at Ellerslie last start, where she was forced to duck and weave through traffic before finishing into 6th. She draws far better here and should enjoy staying at 1400m third-up. As the third emergency she'll need luck to gain a run, but if she does, she can run a cheeky race at odds.
Pukekohe Race 7
9 Midnight Edition
Midnight Edition (#9) ran an excellent race for 2nd at Rotorua behind Twain last start. He is better placed here at the weights, carrying only 53.5kg with Matt Cameron aboard. Expecting he will relish a strongly run 1100m, and a good cart forward from Shoes drawn underneath him early should help, he looks a major player again
Pukekohe Race 8
2 Marotiri Molly
Marotiri Molly (#2) was outstanding winning with a big weight at Tauherenikau last start. While she faces tougher opposition here, she looks very well suited under WFA conditions and maps to roll forward and lead as she likes. If left alone in front, she is capable of giving them plenty to catch.
Pukekohe Race 9
11 Sassy Lass
Sassy Lass (#11) is a talented staying mare who has improved with every run this preparation, finishing 3rd at Tauranga most recently. She drops to the minimum here under Warren Kennedy and looks well placed again over 2100m. Expect her to be finishing strongly late once more.
Pukekohe Race 10
5 Queen Zou
Queen Zou (#5) was rattling home at Tauranga when finishing 2nd behind Bourbon Proof last start, and she maps to settle back again here. With a genuine tempo expected and a long Pukekohe straight to work with, she looks nicely placed to go one better.
