Ellerslie

Today, December 31, 2025Flat5fSoft

Verdict

TWAIN (1) is a quality gelding who was a beaten favourite last start at Pukekohe nearly 4 weeks ago, but did have a genuine excuse after the race when found to be mildly lame. He will find this easier, but does rise in weight. He would not be here if he were not completely right, so stick with him and follow your money. SWEYNESDAY (9) has been handled patiently and was a comfortable fresh-up winner here nearly 5 weeks ago, in his first start as a 5-year-old gelding. He has won 4 of his 7 starts and will be making up for lost time this season. Goes close again. ESPIONAGE (3) was formerly trained in Sydney and makes his debut with a recent Matamata trial under his belt. He cops a wide gate, but a win fresh up would not be a surprise. MERCURIAL (4) will be peaking third up from a spell, and that is normally when he starts to find his best form. Don't take him lightly in this. Each way. DECEMBER (8) made progress last season and will be even better this prep. Watch closely fresh up.

1. Twain
9. Sweynesday
3. Espionage

R10 1200m Hcap

9. 9. Sweynesday
J: MASAHIRO HASHIZUMET: ROGER JAMES & ROBERT WELLWOOD
F: 212x1
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
1-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
82
Days Since Last Run:
33
Verdict
Second run back. First-up after 11 months came from midfield and won by 0.8 len at this track November 29 over 1100m on a soft track defeating Have A Crack carrying 58kg at $4.30. Previously second-up came from midfield; 2nd of 14 at this track on November 30 2024 over 1100m, slow going head behind Twain with 56.5kg at $5. A repeat performance is on the cards.
3. 3. Espionage
J: OPIE BOSSONT: MARK WALKER & SAM BERGERSON
F: 80x5x
Price History:
-
Age:
4
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
90
Days Since Last Run:
110
Verdict
Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign led to the turn then faded 5th of 9 at Rosehill in the G2 Theo Marks on September 13 over 1300m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Autumn Glow with 53kg at $31. When resuming last campaign 6th of 16 at Caulfield in the G1 Oakleigh Plt on February 22 over 1100m, 4 len behind Jimmysstar carrying 50kg at $21. Ran 3rd in a Matamata trial over 1100m on December 19. Looks all set for a positive return.
1. 1. Twain
J: CRAIG GRYLLST: JOHN BELL
F: 42126
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
2-0
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
97
Days Since Last Run:
26
Verdict
Most recently from last on the turn second last of 7 at Pukekohe in the G3 Concorde Hcp on December 6 over 1200m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Midnight Edition carrying 56kg at $2.50. The run before that 2nd of 12 at Pukekohe in the G3 Counties Bowl Hcp on November 22 over 1100m, slow going 1.5 len behind Ardalio with 57kg at $4.90. Sure to improve.
8. 8. December
J: SAM WEATHERLEYT: ROGER JAMES & ROBERT WELLWOOD
F: 2412x
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
1-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
84
Days Since Last Run:
278
Verdict
Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation second of 10 at Trentham in the LR Flying Hcp March 29 over 1400m, soft track; a head behind Doctor Askar with 53kg at $6.80. Previously first up; second of 9 at Tauranga January 10 over 1200m, 1.0 len behind Tomodachi carrying 58kg at $4.40. In the mix.
12. 12. Merchant Queen
J: COURTNEY BARNEST: STEPHEN MARSH
F: 1307x
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
1-10
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
82
Days Since Last Run:
271
Verdict
Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of nine months. Finished off last preparation seventh of 12 at this track April 5 over 1300m, soft track; 6 len behind Sacred Satono with 54kg at $3.80. First up last campaign fifth of 13 at this track December 26 2024 over 1200m, soft track; 3 len behind Grande Gallo carrying 56kg at $8.50. Expecting a strong run fresh.
7. 7. Azeezle
J: VINNIE COLGANT: BEN & RYAN FOOTE
F: 63x21
Price History:
-
Age:
4
Weight:
1-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
84
Days Since Last Run:
32
Verdict
Third-up today. First-up held ground to the line 2nd of 9 at Riccarton Park in the LR Pegasus Hcp on November 8 over 1000m, 2 len behind Platinum Attack with 53kg at $4.60. Second-up won by a head at Otaki November 30 over 1200m defeating Platinum Attack with 54kg at $13.60. Solid credentials and cannot be dismissed lightly.
2. 2. Silent Is Gold
J: BRUNO QUEIROZT: KEVIN & STEPHEN GRAY, COPPER BELT LODGE
F: 671x3
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
92
Days Since Last Run:
18
Verdict
Second run back. First-up after eight months 3rd of 12 at Trentham on December 14 over 1200m, 1.0 len behind Reward Smile carrying 59.5kg at $10.60. Previously second-up 2nd in a small field at Wanganui on January 25 over 1200m, slow going neck behind Amend with 56kg at $5.30. In the money when second up in the past and can add to that record today.
5. 5. Reward Smile
J: KELLY MYERST: JENNA MAHONEY
F: 51x91
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
1-12
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
88
Days Since Last Run:
18
Verdict
Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up 9th of 12 at Pukekohe in the G3 Counties Bowl Hcp on November 22 over 1100m, slow going 5 len behind Ardalio carrying 53kg at $48.60. Second-up won by 0.5 len at Trentham December 14 over 1200m defeating Insatiable carrying 55.5kg at $18.80. Worth including.
6. 6. Whiskey N Roses
J: JOE DOYLET: JOANNE SURGENOR
F: x1857
Price History:
-
Age:
4
Weight:
1-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
85
Days Since Last Run:
40
Verdict
Comes off a 40 day let-up. At the latest run eased back early on 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 with 53.5kg at $15.60. The race 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 with 53.5kg at $7.10. In the mix.
11. 11. Pour the Wine
J: WARREN KENNEDYT: BARBARA KENNEDY
F: 86658
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
1-10
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
83
Days Since Last Run:
33
Verdict
Comes here off a 33-day let-up. At the latest run second last of 9 at this track on November 29 over 1300m, slow going 2.75 len behind Vegas Queen with 54.5kg at $12.10. The start before that 5th of 12 at Pukekohe in the G3 Counties Bowl Hcp on November 22 over 1100m, slow going 2.25 len behind Ardalio carrying 53kg at $20.30. Sure to be thereabouts.
4. 4. Mercurial
J: JONATHAN RIDDELLT: STEPHEN MARSH
F: 56x56
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
1-12
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
89
Days Since Last Run:
19
Verdict
Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 5th of 9 at this track on November 29 over 1300m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Vegas Queen with 57kg at $21.40. Last start crossed from a wide gate to settle just off the pace but gave ground when 6th of 16 at Te Rapa in the G3 J Swap Sprint (Johnstone Hcp) on December 13 over 1400m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind First Five with 57.5kg at $92.20. Best form stacks up nicely so worth another chance.
10. 10. Moving Melody
J: TRISTON MOODLEYT: BRUCE WALLACE & GRANT COOKSLEY
F: 34307
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
1-10
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
84
Days Since Last Run:
26
Verdict
Last start ran last of 7 at Pukekohe in the G3 Concorde Hcp on December 6 over 1200m, slow going 3 len behind Midnight Edition with 53kg at $14.20. The start before that raced on the pace before fading ran last of 11 at Pukekohe in the G2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeder's Stakes on November 22 over 1400m, slow going 15 len behind Qali Al Farrasha carrying 57kg at $14.30. Going okay but looking to others.
13. 13. Shoes
J: HAYLEY HASSMANT: PAM GERARD
F: 223x0
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
1-10
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
82
Days Since Last Run:
40
Verdict
Second run back. Comes off a 40-day let-up. First-up after five months sat behind the speed prior to fading second last of 12 at Pukekohe in the G3 Counties Bowl Hcp on November 22 over 1100m, slow going 6 len behind Ardalio carrying 53kg at $24. Previously second-up 2nd of 9 at Te Rapa on July 27 2024 over 1200m, on rain affected going; 1.75 len behind Twain carrying 54.5kg at $3. Fitter but looks a forlorn hope.

Ellerslie

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