Pukekohe 20 Mar 2026
GOING: G(4)
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NIKAU CONTRACTORS 1400m Track: SOFT 5 True |
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Keen battle for the lead with Takeshi, Dream Of The Moon and Financier in advance of Moschino and Mollify. DREAM OF THE MOON (8) finished a game runner-up off a short break at Ellerslie nearly 4 weeks ago, and with the rise in class here, she will carry 5kg less, thanks in part to an apprentice claim from her regular hoop. She cops a good gate and is the one to beat for us in an even field. TAKESHI (7) did not run on as well as expected at Matamata nearly 3 weeks ago, but did have an issue after that run. He is far better than that, and he is worth another chance. FINANCIER (5) resumed with a solid effort for second in a small field at Taupo nearly 4 weeks ago, and he is normally very consistent. He will be a lot stronger this year, and with the advantage of the pole position, he will run another honest race. MOSCHINO (6) was chasing down a hat-trick when failing to cop a heavy track at Matamata nearly 5 weeks ago, finishing at the rear of the field. Don't drop her yet. Each way value. MASTER FAY (2) has only really missed in G1 company this season, so include, and UDERZO (3) can place. SUGGESTED PLAY: Dream Of The Moon can win, but this field is very even.
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| 1 | 0950x |
HABANA
Moira & Kieran Murdoch 7YO BAY GELDING 60.0KG CAMBRIDGE STUD LIMITED Is first-up after a break of 12 weeks and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last preparation when last of 13 at Taupo December 28 over 2000m, soft track; 18 len behind What You Wish For carrying 59.5kg at $17.90. First up last campaign third in a small field at Ruakaka August 16 over 1400m, on heavy track; 5 len behind Tuxedo carrying 62kg at $10.90. Has claims if presented on song. |
5 SAM MCNAB |
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| 2 | 20054 |
MASTER FAY
CHAD ORMSBY 8YO BAY GELDING 59.0KG RIVERROCK FARM LIMITED Last start 4th of 9 at Ellerslie in the G3 King's Plate on March 7 over 1200m, slow going 3.5 len behind Sweynesday with 55kg at $33.60. The run before that 5th of 12 at Ellerslie on February 21 over 1200m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind I'm All In carrying 57kg at $15.50. In the mix on best form. |
3 TAYLA MITCHELL |
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| 3 | 158x5 |
UDERZO
LANCE O'SULLIVAN & ANDREW SCOTT 7YO BAY GELDING 56.0KG DAVID & BELINDA KELT, ANDREW & LAUREN SCOTT, FOREST PARTNERSHIP & LB BLOODSTOCK VENTURE PARTNERSHIP NO.2 Second run back. First-up after eight months ran last in a small field at Taupo on February 22 over 1400m, 4.5 len behind Captured By Love with 55kg at $14. Previously second-up 4th of 9 at Ellerslie on November 30 2024 over 1300m, slow going 2 len behind Dazzled carrying 54kg at $5.90. Strips fitter and expected to figure prominently. |
10 JOE DOYLE |
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| 4 | 8200x |
ROSETOWN PRINCESS
DARRELL HOLLINSHEAD 7YO BAY MARE 55.0KG SCOTT HOLLINSHEAD, R, D, B, & S HOLLINSHEAD, 3 IN 1 SYNDICATE, T A ATUTAHI, J & L MCNEIL, ROADERS SYNDICATE & N HAAMI Resuming. Finished off last preparation 12th of 14 at Te Rapa in the G3 Waikato Cup December 13 over 2400m, soft track; 10 len behind Sharp 'N' Smart carrying 53kg at $33.20. Previously first up; third of 14 at this track April 23 over 1400m, on heavy track; 3 len behind Elle Sourit with 55kg at $10.70. Prepared to risk in this line-up. |
2 JACK TAPLIN |
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| 5 | 133x2 |
FINANCIER
STEPHEN MARSH 6YO BAY GELDING 55.0KG DENNIS E FOSTER, DR P H MITCHELL, A P SAKER, G R TOMLINSON & G R WILSON Second-up. First-up after two years 2nd in a small field at Taupo on February 22 over 1400m, 0.6 len behind Captured By Love with 54kg at $9. Previously second-up ran on from midfield and won by 2.25 len at Matamata January 24 2024 over 1400m defeating Inca Belle with 57kg at $2.50. Sure to be right there at the business end. |
1 M MCNAB |
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| 6 | 29110 |
MOSCHINO
MARGARET FALCONER 4YO BAY MARE 54.0KG ELLESMERE THOROUGHBREDS LTD Comes here off a 34-day let-up. Most recently ran last of 14 at Matamata on February 14 over 1500m, in the wet; 53 len behind Enrico with 54kg at $15.30. The start before that won by a 0.0 len at Ellerslie January 24 over 1400m in soft going defeating Imprevu with 54kg at $11.30. Rates highly on best form so she can turn things around. |
9 CORENTIN BERGE |
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| 7 | 5x109 |
TAKESHI
STEPHEN MARSH 5YO BAY GELDING 54.0KG P DONOVAN, S B DOULL, M C FENWICK, P T LALLY, S B MARSH, J M MILLS, S W PLATT, A RANDALL, RICH HILL THOROUGHBREDS LTD, J TIMPANY & G R WILSON Last start ran last of 9 at Matamata on February 28 over 1600m, on a slow track; 25 len behind Leroy Brown carrying 54kg at $10.10. The race before that ran last of 13 at Ellerslie in the LR FULTON FAMILY STAKES on January 31 over 1500m, on a slow track; 28 len behind Special Sakura with 53kg at $14. Better placed this time and should return to form. |
7 MATT CARTWRIGHT |
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| 8 | 8x422 |
DREAM OF THE MOON
MARK WALKER & SAM BERGERSON 4YO BROWN MARE 54.0KG TE AKAU MOON DREAMING RACING PARTNERSHIP (MGR: KARYN FENTON-ELLIS MNZM) Recent form sound. Last start held ground to the line 2nd of 15 at Ellerslie on February 21 over 1400m, slow going 0.6 len behind Bellarista with 57kg at $6.70. The race before that 2nd of 10 at Ellerslie on January 11 over 1400m, 0.3 len behind Flanagan with 59kg at $7.30. Winning chance. |
4 HAYLEY HASSMAN |
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| 9 | 3110x |
MOLLIFY
LANCE NOBLE 4YO BROWN MARE 54.0KG CAMBRIDGE STUD LIMITED Resuming. Finished off last campaign 11th of 18 at Ellerslie December 26 over 2400m, soft track; 10 len behind Maldini with 59kg at $7.10. When resuming last campaign sixth of 16 at Ellerslie September 20 over 1300m, soft track; 2 len behind Big Wave with 57kg at $10.40. Will take great benefit from this run. |
6 WARREN KENNEDY |
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| 10 | l929x |
HE'S CLASSIC
BRUCE WALLACE & GRANT COOKSLEY 6YO BAY GELDING 54.0KG B J, C J, J R & R J WALLACE First-up. Finished off last campaign second last of 10 at Tauranga January 8 over 2100m, soft track; 7 len behind Kiwi Skyhawk carrying 52kg at $6.20. First up last campaign seventh of 17 at Ellerslie October 18 over 1600m, 2.5 len behind War Of Succession with 56.5kg at $46. Will improve on whatever he does in this. |
8 ELEN NICHOLAS |
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