11-11 Kaikoura 03Nov25 2400SS $98,250 FFA Gavin Smith $27, btn 329.9m, wnr Merlin , 1:57.2 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a) Broke at the start losing all chance.

Well-beaten 8 days ago at Kaikoura over 2400m, before that 10th (Fr11) over 2600m at this track, beaten 22 m by Republican Party (3:12.20) on October 17 at $47.30. Not going well enough.

3-7 Addington 05Nov25 1980SS Trail Robbie Close btn 2m, wnr CAPTAINS MISTRESS , (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Last start 3rd (Sr1) over 1700m at Ashburton Raceway beaten 4 m by Francent (2:00.80) in 4yo+ M on October 27 at $6.70. Two runs back 9th (Fr4) over 1980m at this track, beaten 17 m by Francent (2:23.70) in 4yo+ M on October 10 at $2.60. Looks safely held.

1-11 Kaikoura 03Nov25 2400SS $98,250 FFA Zachary Butcher $2, won by 2nd Akuta , 1:57.2 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a) Had to be steadied near the 1900m after an easing of the pace.

Racing in great heart. Last start won by 1.5 m as favourite (Fr6) at Kaikoura (2:54.80) beating Akuta in on November 3 at $2.40. Back in winning form at the right Tim and draws to get his chance.

4-11 Ashburton Raceway 27Oct25 2400SS $58,950 FFA Jonny Cox $16, btn 12.4m, wnr Republican Party , 1:57.3 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Last start 4th (Fr10) over 2400m at Ashburton Raceway, beaten 12 m by Republican Party (2:55.10) on October 27 at $16.30. Two runs back 11th (Fr16) over 2600m at this track, beaten 23 m by Republican Party (3:12.20) on October 17 at $11.30. Draw may help but looking to others.

1-11 Ashburton Raceway 27Oct25 2400SS $58,950 FFA Carter Dalgety $2, won by 2nd Alta Meteor , 1:57.3 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a) Raced wide early.

Brings the right form to the table. Won by 5 m as favourite (Fr7) at Ashburton Raceway (2:55.10) beating Alta Meteor in on October 27 at $2.10. Two runs back won by 8 m (Fr13) at this track (3:12.20) beating Don't Stop Dreaming in on October 17 at $5.60. Has been the best of the locals in the lead-ups and placed in this last year.

1-6 Melton 25Oct25 2240MS $22,500 No NR Grant Dixon $1, won by 2nd Bulletproof Boy , 1:52.6 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Australia's best pacer. Last start won by 9 m as favourite when quickly away, (Fr6) at Melton (2:36.70) beating Bulletproof Boy in No NR on October 25 at $1.12 at the bell was leading 4.29. Has won in New Zealand before. Champion Aussie who is back in winning form and can seal his greatness by winning this.

9-11 Kaikoura 03Nov25 2400SS $98,250 FFA Olivia Thornley $51, btn 34.8m, wnr Merlin , 1:57.2 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a) Had to be steadied near the 1900m after an easing of the pace.

Meets Merlin again; when 35 metres ninth at Kaikoura over 2400m in a race on November 3. Hard to have on those efforts.

4-11 Kaikoura 03Nov25 2400SS $98,250 FFA Scott Phelan $5, btn 16.5m, wnr Merlin , 1:57.2 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Last start 4th (Fr2) over 2400m at Kaikoura beaten 16 m by Merlin (2:54.80) on November 3 at $5.20. Two runs back 14th (Fr1) over 2600m at this track beaten 35 m by Republican Party (3:12.20) on October 17 at $14.20. Form earlier in the campaign was good so is a roughs first four prospect.

7-11 Ashburton Raceway 27Oct25 2400SS $58,950 FFA Craig Ferguson $102, btn 15.4m, wnr Republican Party , 1:57.3 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a) Broke at the start losing ground. Held up early in the run home.

Well beaten last start by Republican Party, who he meets again; when 15 metres seventh at Ashburton Raceway over 2400m in a race on October 27. Not up to this.

2-11 Kaikoura 03Nov25 2400SS $98,250 FFA Mark Purdon $3, btn 1.6m, wnr Merlin , 1:57.2 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Two back was well beaten into third behind Republican Party at Ashburton Raceway over 2400m on October 27 at $8.50. Then a handy effort when beaten by 1.5 m finishing second behind Merlin at Kaikoura over 2400m on November 3 at $3.30. Has placed in this race before and should be hitting his peak.

8-11 Kaikoura 03Nov25 2400SS $98,250 FFA Colin Defilippi $73, btn 33.2m, wnr Merlin , 1:57.2 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a) Held up final bend.

Didn't do much last time out, 8th (Fr11) over 2400m at Kaikoura, beaten 35 m by Merlin (2:54.80) on November 3 at $73.40. Before that 6th (Fr4) over 1980m at this track, beaten 10 m by Franco Sinatra (2:23.60) in 3yo+ on October 17 at $26.20. Looks outclassed.

1-2 Menangle 29Oct25 1609SS Trail Luke Mccarthy won by 2nd OZZIE PUNTA , (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Australian on the up. Came from midfield and won by 1.75 m (Fr4) at Melton (2:36.20) beating Hi Manameisjeff in G1 No NR on October 18 at $5.50 at the bell was 4th-7.03. Two runs back won by 2 m (Fr8) at Menangle (2:42.10) beating Swayzee in No NR on October 4 at $2.20. Tricky draw but continued his rapid rise with a last-start Victoria Cup win and could take the next step.

4-7 Addington 05Nov25 2600SS Trail H J Cullen btn 2.7m, wnr ALWAYS DREAMING , (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Won three starts back at this track over 2600m 3yo+ on September 26. Last time out 8th (Fr1) over 2400m at Ashburton Raceway beaten 17 m by Republican Party (2:55.10) on October 27 at $7.70. Could get into the first four.

5-11 Kaikoura 03Nov25 2400SS $98,250 FFA Ricky May $67, btn 17.3m, wnr Merlin , 1:57.2 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Didn't do much at the last run, 5th (Fr3) over 2400m at Kaikoura, beaten 17 m by Merlin (2:54.80) on November 3 at $66.70. Before that 15th (Fr5) over 2600m at this track beaten 35 m by Republican Party (3:12.20) on October 17 at $102. Doubt he can match these.

2-11 Ashburton Raceway 27Oct25 2400SS $58,950 FFA Tim Williams $10, btn 4.9m, wnr Republican Party , 1:57.3 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a) Held up early in the run home.

Been racing consistently with 3 consecutive minor placings. Fair effort last start 2nd (Fr5) over 2400m at Ashburton Raceway beaten 5 m by Republican Party (2:55.10) on October 27 at $10.20. Ticking along well so could be worth a place in the exotics at odds.

3-11 Kaikoura 03Nov25 2400SS $98,250 FFA Robbie Close $8, btn 9.7m, wnr Merlin , 1:57.2 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a) Eased the pace near the 1900m resulting in several runners having to be steadied.

Last start 3rd (Fr7) over 2400m at Kaikoura beaten 9 m by Merlin (2:54.80) on November 3 at $7.60. Two runs back 13th (Fr10) over 2600m at this track, beaten 30 m by Republican Party (3:12.20) on October 17 at $14.50. Unlikely to threaten against these.

5-11 Ashburton Raceway 27Oct25 2400SS $58,950 FFA Samantha Ottley $6, btn 13.5m, wnr Republican Party , 1:57.3 (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Last start 5th (Fr6) over 2400m at Ashburton Raceway beaten 13 m by Republican Party (2:55.10) on October 27 at $5.80. At the run before game effort when 2nd (Fr6) over 2600m at this track beaten 8 m by Republican Party (3:12.20) on October 17 at $5.80. Runner-up in this race last year so is deserving of respect.

6-7 Addington 05Nov25 1980SS Trail B Purdon btn wnr CAPTAINS MISTRESS , (n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a)

Racing consistently with minor placings at his last two starts. Placed last start 2nd (10m 1) over 2200m at Alexandra Park beaten 1.1 m by Jeremiah (2:43.90) on October 17 at $2.60. Before that 3rd (Fr3) over 2700m at Alexandra Park, beaten 6 m by Sooner The Bettor (3:20.70) on October 3 at $6.50. Has the job ahead.