Form analyst Jason Teaz has a detailed look at tonight’s fields at Alexandra Park.
Race 1
2 Queen Of Strathfield
8 Lord Popinjay
3 Constellation
10 Errol D
QUEEN OF STRATHFIELD has run second in half of her fourteen starts, which is an incredible stat. Steps clean and should get a run.Top pick.
LORD POPINJAY is another of many in here that step fast and safe. Bested late by Queen Of Strathfield last time and may not find the markers tonight. Still can’t be discounted.
CONSTELLATION must be looking for a one mile stand race as he would win that. He’s an eftpos machine but probably frustrating for connections with seven placings in his career.
ERROL D galloped and hardly trotted first up March 26. He behaved like that the week before at the trials so needs to behave to figure. On his best he can win this, but his supporters probably just want him to get around.
ALDEBARAN FLAME put together two strong seconds in early March but recent form at the races and trials has been patchy. Certainly good enough but will stand the good beginners up plenty early.
TRIFOLIUM hasn’t been at his best the Auckland way round. Sure to have support again.
Race 2
8 We Have A Mach Two
11 Kerri Maguire
6 Sarandon
3 Cashlodo Flybye
WE HAVE A MACH TWO was unlucky March 26 behind The Honey Queen. The draw is horrible but in an even race is the top pick.
KERRI MAGUIRE found her way into the black book in her first race for six months March 26. It’s a Telfer heavy contest and she’s their best hope.
Surprisingly SARANDON has only raced once in thirty five starts at Auckland. Placed in that only start. Lots of gate speed on the front line inside her but she’s tough.
CASHLODO FLYBYE could be the early leader. Won in a 1:55 mile rate for the 1700m March 12 but just couldn’t get into the contest a fortnight later. Should be thereabouts from the draw.
SETTLE PETAL has done nothing wrong in her four starts. Third behind Makara after working early two weeks ago.
SMOKINHOTCHEDDAR and SHE’S NO LADY have back row draws to contend with tonight which hinder their gate speed. Both have also made errors from good draws. A drop back in class tonight.
Race 3
12 Call Me Trouble
9 Mufasa Metro
8 Gaz Man
14 Anditover
CALL ME TROUBLE drops two grades tonight. The trouble with him is the one gallop at least he seems to have every start. From 20m over 2200m, he can’t afford to make any but on his best he is too good for these.
MUFASA METRO is only three but he hasn’t had much luck since winning on debut. Faced a stern examination sitting parked March 26. Good enough to win.
GAZ MAN bypassed a trip to the NZ Derby to be here tonight. Won a tame three year old race March 12. Kept up to the mark for this with a second against maiden pacers at Cambridge two weeks ago. The big field makes him susceptible to an error.
ANDITOVER is handicapped a little harshly. 30m behind means he can’t win but is still good enough to run in the money. Remember he was group placed in the trotters mile at Cambridge in January.
THE BIG BIRD is impossible to follow. Murdered R40-54 rivals two weeks ago. This is tougher and there is a lot more traffic around tonight.
LIASON is the best of the front markers. In a rich vein if form lately and anywhere on the pegs is a bonus in this grade.
MAJESTIC HARRY got stuck in rare peak hour traffic in Manawatu last Tuesday. Started off 50m and his effort had to be seen to be believed. This is harder but don’t leave out of first fours.
Race 4
4 Alta Wiseguy
8 ideal Agent
10 Cya Art
6 Mimi E Coco
ALTA WISEGUY picked the Waikato Guineas to break his maiden duck. That win was beautifully set up and this field is no tougher. Expect him to use a rare un preferential good draw for him.
IDEAL AGENT won the Cambridge gold cup four starts ago. Drops back significantly in grade but cops barrier eight for his trouble.He can work in his races and he is the value in the field.
CYA ART is much improved. Chased home The Honey Queen two weeks ago. Overcame a bad draw as he will have to do tonight.
MIMI E COCO didn’t get much go her way March 26. She could get across them if she is lit up early. Won a R57-70 two starts ago. Needed the run two weeks back.
MAKARA and HAPPY PLACE are both last start winners in lesser company than this. They’ll both need luck to win but both can place.
Race 5
2 Kango
5 Dance Time
3 Christianshavtime
4 South Coast Arden
KANGO ended up four back on the pegs March 26. Got out and flew home to be beaten by Dance Time and American Dealer. He loves to lead and with Dance Time lurking he can trail and win. He did hang a little last time but if he’s on song he can win.
DANCE TIME was magnificent in his last two wins. The small field could play into his hands too.
CHRISTIANSHAVTIME was spelled after running third in the City Of Auckland FFA. Looked great beating South Coast Arden at the workouts last Wednesday, home in 57 and 26.
SOUTH COAST ARDEN couldn’t quite get past Christianshavtime in that workout last week. He’s better when leading but may struggle to find the top. Expect him to be more forward next time in nis first run since the Auckland cup.
Race 6
9 Hesashorething
8 Strength And Honour
7 Hail Lucius
6 Cya Doit
HESASHORETHING is a lovely horse. Looked the goods at the trials then had to overcome facing the breeze throughout March 26. One concern is that he’s not keen on the grit in his face so one on the second line isn’t ideal. He’s the best of the older horses.
STRENGTH AND HONOUR is only two. Has won three of his five trials. Beat two other green two year olds in the latest last week. Clearly goes well but this is a big ask.
HAIL LUCIUS again suffers with a bad draw. In both starts so far he has really found the line. Definite each way.
CYA DOIT was costly galloping in the trail at the half two weeks ago. Given what is drawn inside him he can lead here and pick his poison.
AZTEC SHARD has won both official trials but has been beaten by Strength And Honour in a workout March 6. Beat the older horses in slow time March 27 and in a race dominated by two year old’s he is sure to start short in the market.
Race 7
6 Temporale
5 Kay Cee
4 Forget The Price Tag
3 Paramount King
The conditions of this race means it’s tailormade for TEMPORALE to win. 20m is very luxurious and he is arguably trotting better and faster than ever before. A case of by how far tonight given there’s no Bolt For Brilliance’s here.
KAY CEE won’t know himself starting off the front tonight. He may shy at the starter. Phenomenal lately off huge marks. Two starts ago clocked a time 2.5 seconds faster than the winner but was beaten ten lengths. Galloped away off the 30m two weeks ago and then ran into a brick wall. The clear danger.
FORGET THE PRICE TAG sneaked into second March 26 following the markers home. Looks a big danger if he can settle in or near the lead. Normally a good beginner.
PARAMOUNT KING hasn’t won in over a year. Looked good sprinting up at the trials in early March.He looked short of a race night run two weeks ago when tiring from the parked spot. Tonight should make his presence felt if he is to return to his group one winning ways.
INVICTUS will relish being back off the front tonight and has a proven track record of beating cup horses off marks.
Best Bet: Race 7 (6) Temporale
Each Way Value: Race 2 (8) We Have A Mach Two
