SATURDAY 9 MARCH AT ELLERSLIE

Saturday 9 March at Ellerslie

Weather: showery, track: Slow7, rail: out 2.5 metres

4.50 p.m. R8 1 On the Rocks (4 h Alamosa – Cold Shoulder, by Volksraad) – Jake Bayliss; was super winning the Rich Hill Mile (Gr.2, 1600m) here, second-up on 1 January, before a weight penalty to 57kgs worked against him in the Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 19 January at Trentham. He bounced back with a commanding win in the weight-for-age Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) on 9 February at Te Rapa, and thrived since in preparation for the WFA $200,000 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.05. Pictured

5.27 p.m. R9 2 Vengeur Masque (7 g Monsun – Venetian Beauty) – Opie Bosson; was strong out of the trail winning the Torney Night Cup (Open 2500m) on 15 February at Moonee Valley, and drawn barrier six in the $500,000 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m). The winner of five races from 2400m – 2600m and almost $1million in prize money, he contested the Melbourne Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m) three starts ago, where slow ground never suited, and he presents in the right order to race well. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.35.

Co-trainer Pam Gerard said: “On the Rocks pleased in his work during the week and continued to train on well since his last start Group One win. The rain about is not ideal for him but he loves this course. He meets a tough field, but worked exceptionally well on Thursday so fingers crossed he can handle track conditions”.

“Vengeur Masque travelled over well from Australia, settled in beautifully and eaten well. He will go forward, but could have done without the rain and a slow track. He arrived ready to go and happy with his condition.”