GallopSouth

Otago RC - Premier Day - Preview

There will be quality racing on display at Wingatui on Saturday with two Listed races and the $70,000 Group Three White Robe Lodge Stakes.

The White Robe has attracted a quality field, including El Chico who was a close third to Guiseppina in the Telegraph Handicap, before winning last week at Riccarton under 59kg. The Pitman team also has Miss Maximus (Johnson) andFellini (Moore) who are both in good form. John and Karen Parsons 4yo mare Final Touch will have plenty of support - after finishing three lengths from Say No More in the Thorndon Mile. The in-form Alegrio (A Collett) has ventured south with Richard Collett's team after two top efforts over this distance up north.. The Dennis Brothers have their 7yo mare The Pearler (Mosely) was a good second in the Gore Cup last week. The Anderton team also have a good chance with Inferno (Shankar), the other home track hope is Ric O'Shea (Williams/Prince) who is aiming four for wins on end.

A capacity field has also assembled for the second leg of the Gallop South Triple Crown. Bangalore Bullet is favoured to win the Dunedin Guineas after he impressively won at Gore for Shane Kennedy. Coat Of Arms (Bullard) finished strongly for second at Gore for the Pitman team, with Uppland (Bothamley) running third for Kenny and Lisa Rae. The Rae's also have Semper Plus and Fullavino lining up. Classy Fashion (K Myers) has some good performances on the board for Neil Ridley; including a tidy third to Venetian Raider at Riccarton last week. News Flash (Shankar), Norah (Misbah) and Ortem Fire (Direen) have the home track advantage for Shane Andeton. The northerner Purpose (A Collett) will add some interest after recording three wins for Richard Collett.

The Solitaire (Misbah) comfortably won the Gore Cup last start but meets a much better field this week in the $45,000 Dunedin Casino Gold Cup. Zabene (D Johnson) disappointed in the Trentham Stakes but can bounce back here for Neil Ridley. John Parsons promising stayer Santos (K Myers) was a good second in R85 grade last week at Wellington, the stablemate Woodyeva disappointed at Gore after two good efforts earlier this year. Eleanor Coup(Johnson) won the Cup Trial last week at Riccarton ahead of Kiwi Hustler (Walsh/Sargent). Smeckembecher andThe Glitzy One have impressed recently in lower grades.

The Open Class sprinters will be competing for $40,000 in prizemoney. So Elusive (Allpress) got too far back in the Telegraph, but hit the line well last week at Riccarton. Petty Lane (Misbah) is aiming for three wins in a row for Lisa Vaughan. Keep The Conflict (Shankar) raced wide before fading last week but was racing well in starts prior for Shane Kennedy.

In the R75 1400m Cybele (Doherty) will have support after winning her last two races for Dan Champion, but she meets a few tough ones here including Tristan's Choice (Bradley) who went another good race recently at Greymouth behind Premier Lady for Warick Coles. Mels Bad Boy (D Johnson) has also run second in his last two races for Stephen Crutchley. Kirkie (Bullard) has a wide draw but still needs to be considered after a good run behind Miss Maximus at Kurow for Alex Cowan.

Alpine Heights (Bullard) has put in some tidy performances recently for John Parsons and will be hard to beat in the R75 2200m. In the R65 1200m the Terrie Rae's in-form Royal Governess (A Collett) will have to contend with Arietta(Williams) who is resuming for John Parsons, and the stablemate Bacio Francese (Mundy) also has the ability to win.

Danny Frye's Oxborough Magic (D Johnson) performed well in his two starts at Trentham but has a wide draw to overcome in the R65 1600m. Hit The Bit (Doherty) has hit the line strongly in his last three starts for Terril Charles.

1. Walshie
2. Royal Governess
3. Sheza Prima Donna
4. Hit The Bit
5. Banglore Bullet
6. Mels Bad Boy
7. Final Touch
8. So Elusive
9. Eleanor Coup
10. Alpine Heights