SATURDAY 21 JAN. AT PUKEKOHE & TRENTHAM

Saturday 21 January at Pukekohe (twilight meeting):

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 2 metres. No rain forecast.

4:48 p.m. R2 2 Dragon Queen (5 m Sweynesse – Happy Endings, by Tavistock) – Daniel Stackhouse; went forward outside leader and kicked hard for third in the Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 1 January at Te Rapa, and contests the Westbury Classic (Gr. 2, 1400m). She won the corresponding event last year at Ellerslie, course/distance winner at only attempt, and ideally drawn (3) to race well again. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $2.40. Pictured

4:48 p.m. R2 7 Tevere (5 m Contributer – Italian Princess, by Bertolini) – Craig Zackey; presented off good trip and fought well for seventh in the Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 1 January at Te Rapa. Contesting the Westbury Classic (Gr. 2, 1400m), she has blinkers on and capable of good effort with luck from wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $41.00 & $5.50.

6:08 p.m. R4 13 Shoes (2 f Derryn – Ambitious Beauty, by Towkay) – Daniel Stackhouse; did everything right for close debut second over 1100 metres in December, and trailed before finishing sixth to race rival Trobriand (Kermadec) in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 1 January at Te Rapa. Drawn wide (11) in the $1m Doubletree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m), she faces tough assignment. Fixed odds: $51.00 & $8.50.

Saturday 21 January at Trentham:

Weather: overcast, track: Soft5, rail: out 5 metres from 1700m – 700m and 6 metres from 600m to winning post. No rain forecast.

4:00 p.m. R7 6 Sassy Merlot (4 m Burgundy – Saveadance, by Savabeel) – Cameron Lammas; rounded off solidly for seventh in the Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m) on Boxing Day at Pukekohe, and contests the $40,000 Open 1400 metres. Twice stakes placed on course at same time last year, drops in weight to carry 54.5kg, and rates top three from barrier two. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.30.

Co-trainer Pam Gerard said: “Dragon Queen has lined up at this meeting each year she’s been racing and won this race last year. She should receive a lovely trip, best held up and be last one hitting line. She has worked very well and looks a picture.”

“Tevere has blinkers on and we expect her to race well. Her work has been very good, eating well, and looks a million dollars.”

“Shoes is gorgeous little filly with a great attitude. Shins have been a bit touchy, but pretty happy with her trotting up this morning. The wide draw makes it tough and will have to be exceptional to beat some of the others.”

“Sassy Merlot travelled well to Wellington, a course she really likes. She ate up and bright this morning. She should receive a lovely trip behind the pace and her track work has been spot on.”