Races ORX Te Rapa - NZ

Form hard to fault. Returns from a 35-day let-up. Last start favourite; won by 2 len at Riccarton Park G3 Canterbury Breeders Stakes November 8 over 1400m defeating The Radiant One carrying 56.5kg at $3.10. The race before that took up a position near the tail 2nd of 14 at Taupo on October 10 over 1300m, slow going 2 len behind Churchillian carrying 54.5kg at $5.70. In form and looks a top chance again.

Second-up. First-up after five months 5th of 9 at Ellerslie on November 29 over 1300m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Vegas Queen with 57kg at $21.40. Previously second-up 6th of 8 at Ruakaka on July 12 over 1400m, on rain affected going; 8 len behind Reward Smile carrying 56.5kg at $7.60. Well placed here and gets chance to atone.

Second run back. First-up after three months favourite; won by a nose at Pukekohe LR WaikRC Sprint Handicap November 8 over 1200m defeating Jaarffi with 53kg at $4.10. Previously second-up 6th of 8 at this track Hcp on August 9 over 1200m, on a wet track; 9 len behind Midnight Scandal with 54.5kg at $2.10. Tough to beat on latest and can measure up again.

Racing well recently. Returns from a 31-day let-up. At the latest run 3rd of 13 at Riccarton Park in the G3 Churchill (Coupland's Mile) Stakes on November 12 over 1600m, slow going 1.5 len behind Mystic Park with 53kg at $3.60. The start before that favourite; won by a nose at Ellerslie November 4 over 1500m on a soft track defeating Hasstobeawinner with 55kg at $5.10. Huge chance on latest and can go on with it.

Last start held ground to the line 2nd of 8 at Tauranga on November 15 over 1400m, slow going 1.5 len behind Mary Shan carrying 57.5kg at $14. Before that 5th of 12 at Tauranga on November 1 over 1300m, slow going 2 len behind Glamour Tycoon with 57.5kg at $18.80. Not far away last time. Looks a strong top-three prospect.

Form hard to fault. Last start 4th of 11 at Riccarton Park in the LR Steward's Stakes on November 15 over 1200m, in the wet; 2 len behind Inflamed with 54.5kg at $7.90. The race before that 4th of 9 at Riccarton Park in the LR Pegasus Hcp on November 8 over 1000m, 4 len behind Platinum Attack carrying 59kg at $10.50. Top chance despite the latest effort.

Mare returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign second of 9 at Tauranga in the LR Tauranga Classic June 21 over 1400m, on heavy track; 0.5 len behind Cork carrying 57kg at $3.20. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 2.5 len this track July 27 2024 over 1200m in the wet defeating Reptak with 56.5kg at $3.10. Has claims if presented on song.

Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation sixth of 14 at this track in the G1 Howden Mile September 27 over 1600m, on rain affected going; 3 len behind Waitak with 58.5kg at $6.20. Previous preparation first-up to post a big 3.5 len win. Ruakaka August 16 over 1400m on heavy track defeating Illicit Dreams with 54kg at $1.30. Forward showing expected.

Last start got back early 7th of 12 at Pukekohe in the G3 Counties Bowl Hcp on November 22 over 1100m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Ardalio carrying 53.5kg at $15.60. Before that 5th of 8 at Pukekohe in the LR WaikRC Sprint Handicap on November 8 over 1200m, 0.7 len behind Force Of Nature carrying 53.5kg at $7.10. Looks tested.

Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 4th of 8 at Pukekohe in the LR WaikRC Sprint Handicap on November 8 over 1200m, neck behind Force Of Nature carrying 53kg at $11.80. Last start came home strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 9 at Ellerslie on November 29 over 1300m, on a slow track; head behind Vegas Queen with 56kg at $6.70. Looks tested against this line-up.

Comes off a 35 day let-up. At the latest run led to the turn then faded 11th of 14 at Riccarton Park in the G3 Canterbury Breeders Stakes on November 8 over 1400m, 5 len behind Captured By Love with 55kg at $4.80. Before that won by 2 len at Taupo October 10 over 1300m in soft going defeating Captured By Love carrying 54kg at $17.50. Prefer others.

Racing well recently. At the latest run sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 11 at Trentham in the G3 Red Badge Spring Sprint on December 6 over 1400m, slow going 1.2 len behind The Scunner with 53kg at $3. The start before that 2nd of 13 at Tauranga on November 15 over 1200m, slow going head behind Charmrose carrying 57.5kg at $2.80. Wasn’t too far off the mark last time. Worth including.

Racing well recently. Most recently 3rd of 9 at Ellerslie on November 29 over 1300m, on a slow track; long-neck behind Vegas Queen carrying 54kg at $3.50. The race before that 4th of 12 at Tauranga on November 1 over 1300m, slow going 1.5 len behind Glamour Tycoon with 54kg at $7.80. One of the contenders.

Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign eased back early on 9th of 16 at Ellerslie in the G1 Proisir Plate on September 6 over 1400m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Quintessa with 58.5kg at $35.40. First up last campaign 2nd of 14 at this track on September 27 2024 over 1400m, slow going long-neck behind Midnight Edition with 57.5kg at $6.20. Finished fourth in a Taupo trial over 1100m on November 25. Will take great benefit from this outing.

At the latest run 4th of 7 at Pukekohe in the G3 Concorde Hcp on December 6 over 1200m, on a slow track; 0.9 len behind Midnight Edition carrying 53kg at $20. Before that raced behind the speed prior to fading 7th of 11 at Pukekohe in the G2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeder's Stakes on November 22 over 1400m, slow going 6 len behind Qali Al Farrasha with 57kg at $27. Will need to lift.

Third-up today. First-up 2nd in a small field at Ellerslie on October 25 over 1200m, slow going 0.8 len behind Master Fay carrying 54kg at $6.40. Second-up 6th of 12 at Pukekohe in the G3 Counties Bowl Hcp on November 22 over 1100m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Ardalio with 53kg at $10. Worth including.

Dual acceptor. Form hard to fault. Comes off a 35 day let-up. Most recently favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 2 len at Pukekohe November 8 over 1300m defeating First Dance with 57.5kg at $1.40. The race before that favourite; won by 1.5 len at Arawa Park October 12 over 1400m in the wet defeating Big Wave carrying 54.5kg at $2.20. Makes the field with scratchings, and can win again.

Second-up. First-up after six months ran last of 9 at Ellerslie on November 29 over 1300m, on a slow track; 5.5 len behind Vegas Queen carrying 54kg at $6.80. Previously second-up 7th of 9 at this track 3yo SWP on April 13 over 1200m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Midnight Edition with 58.5kg at $7. Others rate better this time.