Ballymore to kick off New Year in style!

Another iconic New Zealand meeting is upon us and Ballymore will present a seven strong team at tomorrow’s New Year’s Day races at Ellerslie.

Surpass will be out to make it a Cups double has he lines up in the City of Auckland Cup over 2400m.

“He’s improved since his last run and we are hopeful for another strong performance,” co-trainer Chad Ormsby said.

Surpass will reunite with top jockey Opie Bosson and will be jumping from gate 10 for the staying feature on the card.

The Fire Inside is also a potential cup runner, although currently sits one on the ballot at the time of writing.

“She deserves another crack at this level as we think she is right up there with the best staying prospects in the country,” said Ormsby.

If the daughter of Sir Percy is unable to get a start, she will either be heading to Hastings for the Rating 85 event over 2100m on the same day or heading to Awapuni next Saturday for the Listed Marton Cup over 2200m.

Derby hopeful Margin Trader will have his first crack at black-type as he lines up against a strong field of three-year-old’s in the Group 2 Great Northern Guineas over 1600m.

“His work has been right up there leading into tomorrow’s race and we are confident he can be very competitive,” Ormsby said.

“He’s done everything right, and if there is good speed in the race, he will be coming hard at the business end.”

The Last Shower will be lining up in a strong field as she contests the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile. Her ability and versatility to take a spot in different places in the running will be of great assistance.

“It’s a hot field, although if she can produce her best effort she can be competitive,” Ormsby said.

Juvenile debutante, Iff So Happens, will also have a task ahead of her as she takes on some of the best two-year-old’s in the country in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes over 1200m.

“She trialed nicely, and while she may not be up to the class of some of these, the ace barrier draw should give her a chance. Either way we will get a line on her and where he ability is at,” said Ormsby.

Revelator and Stella’s Honour feature in the last race on the card in the Rating 75 event over 1600m.

Stella’s Honour will look to build on an impressive last start victory at Tauranga, while Revelator has run into more than his fair share of bad luck in his last few outings.

“Stella’s Honour has a few quirks and she needs things to go her way.”

“If the pace is on, and she gets the splits she needs, at her best she can win.”

“Revelator is another runner who is likely to need a bit of speed in the race, but if he can get the right economical run he can certainly give this field a shake.”