Trots OTX Addington - NZ

5-12 Kaikoura 04Nov24 2400SS $60,000 FFA Samantha Ottley $9, btn 16.5m, wnr Mo'unga , 1:58.1 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a) Struck a track marker near the 1400m when leading resulting in trailing runners also striking track markers.

Meets Mo'unga again after a 16 metre fifth at Kaikoura over 2400m in a race on November 4. Had winning form prior. One for the exotics.

1-8 Albion Park 26Oct24 2138MS $21,380 B 4 Adam Sanderson $2, won by 2nd Bombadier Jujon , 1:57.4 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Brings winning form from Australia but in much lesser grade. Last start 1st (Fr4) over 2138m after showing early speed at Albion Park by 3.3m (2:36.00) in B 4 on October 26 at $1.95. Facing a more testing assignment.

4-12 Kaikoura 04Nov24 2400SS $60,000 FFA John R Dunn $31, btn 15.4m, wnr Mo'unga , 1:58.1 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Last start 4th (Fr10) over 2400m at Kaikoura beaten 15 m by Mo'unga (2:56.20) on November 4 at $31. Two runs back 6th (20m 1) over 2600m at this track beaten 16 m by Mo'unga (3:18.40) on October 25 at $2.30. Has the task ahead.

1-12 Kaikoura 04Nov24 2400SS $60,000 FFA Robbie Close $9, won by 2nd Mossdale Ben , 1:58.1 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Has won at his last two outings. Last start won by 10 m (Fr7) at Kaikoura (2:56.20) beating Mossdale Ben in on November 4 at $8.80. Going well so consider for the first four.

2-12 Ashburton Raceway 28Oct24 2400SS $60,000 FFA 3U Blair Orange $2, btn 2.2m, wnr Merlin , 1:57.0 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Solid run when beaten by 1.1 m finishing third behind Republican Party at this track over 2600m in a 4yo+ on October 11 at $2.90. Then a handy effort when beaten by 2.25 m finishing second behind Merlin at Ashburton Raceway over 2400m in a 3yo+ on October 28 at $2.20. Ticking along well and is unbeaten when third-up so can peak on the big day.

6-12 Kaikoura 04Nov24 2400SS $60,000 FFA Gerard O'reilly $41, btn 16.7m, wnr Mo'unga , 1:58.1 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Meets Mo'unga again; when 16 metres sixth at Kaikoura over 2400m in a race on November 4. Looks tested.

3-12 Kaikoura 04Nov24 2400SS $60,000 FFA G R Sugars $2, btn 11.9m, wnr Mo'unga , 1:58.1 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a) Broke at the start and shifted outwards checking outside runners losing ground.

Improved last start with a solid effort when 3rd (Fr2) over 2400m at Kaikoura beaten 11 m by Mo'unga (2:56.20) on November 4 at $2.30. Has won at Group 1 level over this distance in NZ so is a player.

2-12 Kaikoura 04Nov24 2400SS $60,000 FFA Ben Hope $142, btn 10.3m, wnr Mo'unga , 1:58.1 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a) Held up early in the run home.

Last start 2nd (Fr1) over 2400m at Kaikoura, beaten 10 m by Mo'unga (2:56.20) on November 4 at $141.50. Two runs back 10th (Fr9) over 2400m at Ashburton Raceway, beaten 35 m by Merlin (2:54.60) in 3yo+ on October 28 at $64.10. Not likely to threaten these.

3-6 Alexandra Park 25Oct24 1609MS $17,900 UP TO & INCLUDING R70 FFA M Ranger $4, btn 3.5m, wnr Jolimont , 1:52.5 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a) Raced wide early.

Two back was well beaten into fifth behind Merlin at Alexandra Park over 2700m in a 3yo+ on October 4 at $32. Then a handy effort when beaten by 3.5 m finishing third behind Jolimont at Alexandra Park over 1609m on October 25 at $4.30. Tested.

1-12 Ashburton Raceway 28Oct24 2400SS $60,000 FFA 3U Zachary Butcher $3, won by 2nd Don't Stop Dreaming , 1:57.0 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Four-year-old entire racing in fine form. Won his last two outings at Ashburton Raceway and Alexandra Park. Last start won by 2.25 m (Fr8) at Ashburton Raceway (2:54.60) beating Don't Stop Dreaming in 3yo+ on October 28 at $2.70. Has established himself as the leading Kiwi and could well fend off the Aussie challenge.

1-10 Menangle 26Oct24 2300MS $25,500 No NR LR Grant Dixon $1, won by 2nd Max Delight , 1:52.0 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a) Improved three wide form the 1900m until obtaining the position outside the leader passing the 1500m.

Champion pacer. Posted a big 7 m win as favourite (Fr7) at Menangle (2:40.00) beating Max Delight in LR No NR on October 26 at $1.20 at the bell was leading 11.21. Two runs back won by 3.5 m as favourite (Fr7) at Melton (1:58.80) beating Mach Dan in G3 No NR on October 5 at $1.35. Champion Aussie who has been the dominant force across the Tasman. He can add an international win to an already stacked resume.

3-15 Addington 18Oct24 2600SS $26,313 R70 TO R120 SPECIAL 3U John Morrison $9, btn 6.2m, wnr Tact Mcleod , 1:59.4 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Steps out over an extra 600m after a solid effort last start; 3rd (Fr5) over 2600m at this track, beaten 6 m by Tact Mcleod (3:13.00) in 3yo+ on October 18 at $9. Raced well last start but has the task ahead this time. Not here.

8-12 Kaikoura 04Nov24 2400SS $60,000 FFA Zachary Butcher $27, btn 22.1m, wnr Mo'unga , 1:58.1 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a) Hampered by a breaking runner at the start. Held up throughout the run home.

Didn't do much last start, 8th (Fr5) over 2400m at Kaikoura, beaten 22 m by Mo'unga (2:56.20) on November 4 at $26.80. Before that 6th (Fr1) over 2400m at Ashburton Raceway, beaten 22 m by Merlin (2:54.60) in 3yo+ on October 28 at $28.60. Needs to find more.

4-12 Ashburton Raceway 28Oct24 2400SS $60,000 FFA 3U Carter Dalgety $11, btn 10.5m, wnr Merlin , 1:57.0 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Last start 4th (Fr10) over 2400m at Ashburton Raceway, beaten 10 m by Merlin (2:54.60) in 3yo+ on October 28 at $11. Two runs back won by a neck (10m 3) at this track (3:12.10) beating Charlie Brown in 4yo+ on October 11 at $10.50. Place looks his best hope.

1-9 Young 08Nov24 2887MS $60,000 No NR Cameron Hart $1, won by 2nd Jordy , 2:00.2 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Defending champion. Backs up quickly after winning as a $1.10 favourite over 2887m at Young on Friday. Two back scored a strong 4m win as favourite (Sr5) at Melton (2:35.60) beating Curly James in G1 Victoria Cup on October 12 at $3.70. Last year's winner who looks to be going even better. Big chance to go back to back.

9-12 Ashburton Raceway 28Oct24 2400SS $60,000 FFA 3U Ricky May $34, btn 30.8m, wnr Merlin , 1:57.0 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a) Broke at the start hampering a trailing runner losing ground.

Well beaten last start by Merlin, who he meets again; when 30 metres ninth at Ashburton Raceway over 2400m in a 3yo+ race on October 28. Not going well enough.

5-12 Ashburton Raceway 28Oct24 2400SS $60,000 FFA 3U John R Dunn $89, btn 22.1m, wnr Merlin , 1:57.0 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a) Held up early in the run home.

Well beaten last start by Merlin, a rival who he faces again; when 22 metres fifth at Ashburton Raceway over 2400m in a 3yo+ race on October 28. Others make more appeal.

3-12 Ashburton Raceway 28Oct24 2400SS $60,000 FFA 3U Tim Williams $27, btn 4.3m, wnr Merlin , 1:57.0 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Last start 3rd (Fr4) over 2400m at Ashburton Raceway beaten 4.5 m by Merlin (2:54.60) in 3yo+ on October 28 at $27. Two runs back 4th (10m 1) over 2600m at this track beaten 1.5 m by Republican Party (3:12.10) in 4yo+ on October 11 at $13.80. Facing a tough assignment.