The Hotz - again!

It is not always easy to step up from maiden class but such was the ease of The Hotz's first victory at Hastings in late May that he was again well fancied by the stable at Te Rapa on Saturday.

And he never gave us any reason to doubt, the promising three-year-old jumping straight to the lead where he travelled strongly for Danielle Johnson.

So strongly in fact that from well before the turn he had his rivals off the bit - turning four lengths in front and maintaining an impressive margin of 4½ lengths to the line.

"It was a very good win," Chad Ormsby enthused, adding that he is excited to see what the son of Pentire can do next time in.

"He has achieved more than we expected of him this campaign," he said - adding that The Hotz will now head to the paddock for a spell - "we will look after him and he should prove to be a nice horse in the summer."

A 3/4 brother to the stakes winner Pentacity, The Hotz is raced by Ballymore Stables (Aust), P J Bennett, I E McCarrison, Paul Moroney and G J Williams.

Hopefully we will continue on our winning way at Ruakaka on Wednesday - everyone looking forward to cheering on four nice horses at the midweek meeting.

Domestic Goddess - who we are hoping will sneak a run as second emergency in the opening event is a filly who has always shown glimpses of ability.

She was however safely held first up in April but we have given her a freshen-up and are hoping she can show more from a good gate.

"From barrier two she can get a nice run in transit and run a good race," Ormsby said.

Ormsby is also hopeful that Arise, who contests the fifth race - The Carters Handicap - can improve on his last start heavy track failure.

Previously third over a mile at Avondale, the son of Don Eduardo is having his second 2100m run and improved track conditions should see him run a better race.

"The better track is a blessing for him," Ormsby said - "he ran below his best last start but can improve."

Lining up in the following race, the Fell Engineering Handicap, lightly raced mare Imagine failed to fire last start but she too is capable of much better.

"That run was just too bad to be true," said Ormsby.

"The better track should help her too and her work has been good - she has been working like a winner."

Having only her third start and just her second this campaign, the promising Giovanna Bella (pictured) is our last runner for the day and, Ormsby said "our best chance."

"She has two excellent runs on the board and she will prove very hard to beat."

Third at her Avondale debut over 1400m on a good track in mid-Jan, the well related daughter of Iffraaj was spelled - fighting on strongly when a game first up second over 1400m on heavy going at Rotorua.

She strips all the fitter and looks nicely placed second up to the mile.