BOXING DAY AT PUKEKOHE

Boxing Day (26 December) at Pukekohe

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: true. 3mls rain forecast.

1:55 p.m. R3 4 On the Rocks (8 g Alamosa – Cold Shoulder, by Volksraad) – Jake Bayliss; resumes without a trial in the $80,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres. He won the Open 1400 metres fresh-up in April at Rotorua, but meets stronger field and likely to improve for the run. Fixed odds: $41.00 & $7.50.

3:08 p.m. R5 6 Sassy Merlot (4 m Burgundy – Saveadance, by Savabeel) – Cameron Lammas; displayed customary courage when winning fresh-up in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 29 October at Matamata, and fought on in the Open 1200 metres here on 3 December. Three times stakes placed, she receives opportunity to bounce back in the $100,000 Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40. Pictured

4:54 p.m. R8 11 Lingjun Xiongfeng (4 h The Factor – Harvest Start, by Sebring) – Jake Bayliss; resumed with good second in the Rating 65 1300 metres on 26 November but not same when rain downgraded track in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 17 December, both at Te Rapa. He finished third here in the Championship Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) last season, meets strong field and chances appear best if track remains good. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.50.

5:28 p.m. R9 3 The Mayor (8 g Rock ‘n’ Pop – Soph, by Lord Ballina) – Craig Zackey; produced top run for second in the Balmerino Stakes (Gr. 3, 2050m) on Melbourne Cup Day (1 November), but not same in the Counties Cup (Gr. 3, 2100m) on 19 November, both here at Pukekohe. Given time (37 days), he receives chance to improve in the $320,000 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2050m). Fixed odds: $31.00 & $5.50.

5:28 p.m. R9 4 Harlech (6 h Darci Brahma – Obsession, by Bachelor Duke) – Cameron Lammas; was okay off economical trip in the Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 3 December at Trentham, won by race rival Prise De Fer (Savabeel), and contests the $320,000 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2050m). Runner-up three times at Group One level and chance to improve if appreciative of course at first attempt. Fixed odds: $26.00 & $5.00.

6:08 p.m. R10 16 Thatsallshewrote (4 m Wrote – Lilyput, by O’Reilly) – Cameron Lammas; confirmed her ability with victory in the Maiden 1400 metres here on 3 December and steps up in the $70,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. Meets stronger field, but course/distance winner in manner suggesting she can measure up. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.

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Co-trainer Pam Gerard said: “On The Rocks is resuming without a trial, but overall fitness is good and this will give a line on him. It is a good starting point and he bright and happy.”

“Sassy Merlot is planning to go forward and hopefully has the speed to get handy, as usual. Her work has been good and we are happy with her.”

“Lingjun Xiongfeng should have improved further for second-up run where not liking wet track. He meets strong field, but should still race well.”

“The Mayor has continued to work really well and ready to race again. He will go forward and intend making it a truly run race.”

“Harlech is bright and well and worked accordingly. The race should set up for him to running home nicely and getting to 2000 metres is expected to suit.”

“Thatsallshewrote was let find her feet in course/distance win last start and looking to do the same again up in grade. She looks fantastic, holding condition, and we are happy with her.”