Ellerslie 18 Apr 2026
GOING: S(5)
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ELSDON PARK 1200m Track: SOFT 5 True |
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Charmrose and Celestial Wonder should set a strong gallop. POKURU GOLD (3) resumes from a spell after putting in a poor performance in his only start last spring at Te Rapa. He is so much better than that, and he was shaping as a winter start last year. He is unbeaten in 2 starts here, has had a trial, and with Opie Bosson from the pole position, he will be the one to beat. MR MOJO RISIN' (1) won fresh up after relocating from Australia, and he will be resuming from a spell of just over a year. He looked in great condition when winning a recent Avondale trial very easily under his own steam, and if he doesn't need the hit-out, then he is good enough to give this field a big shake. Check the market. CHARMROSE (7) clung on gamely for a nose win in BM75 company at Pukekohe nearly a month ago, and he will drop 4.5kg for this tougher assignment. He is up to the task, so stick with him. SUPER PHOTON (6) had no hope on a leader's track at Tauranga last start, and he can't be underestimated. BASEL WARRIOR (2) is worth including in all top 4 combos. SUGGESTED PLAY: Super Photon each way value.
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| 1 | 6163x |
MR MOJO RISIN'
ANDREW FORSMAN 6YO BAY GELDING 60.0KG Jomara Bloodstock Ltd Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of a year. Finished off last preparation third of 7 at Te Rapa April 13 2025 over 1400m, soft track; 1.5 len behind Karman Line with 55kg at $2.70. First up last campaign sixth of 9 at New Plymouth Raceway February 1 2025 over 1400m, soft track; 4 len behind Talisker carrying 57.5kg at $4.40. Looks all set for a effective return. |
9 ELEN NICHOLAS |
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| 2 | 11716 |
BASEL WARRIOR
JIM COLLETT 4YO CHESTNUT GELDING 58.0KG M K LAI Last start 6th of 16 at Trentham in the LR Flying Hcp on March 28 over 1400m, slow going 3 len behind Archaic Smile carrying 53kg at $11.70. The start before that won by 1.2 len at New Plymouth Raceway March 7 over 1200m on a soft track defeating When Stars Align with 59kg at $2.80. Hard to beat on his best form. |
3 M CAMERON |
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| 3 | 31x0x |
POKURU GOLD
MARK WALKER & SAM BERGERSON 5YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG I J FARRELLY Back after a long spell. Finished off last campaign second last of 14 at Te Rapa on September 27 over 1100m, on heavy track; 7 len behind Bak Da Angel carrying 60.5kg at $10.30. First up last campaign 3rd of 7 at Waverley on April 10 2025 over 1200m, on a wet track; 0.6 len behind King Of Hearts carrying 59kg at $3.30. Finished fourth in an Avondale trial over 1000m on March 24. Sure to be ready to run well. |
1 O P BOSSON |
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| 4 | 90495 |
MERCURIAL
STEPHEN MARSH 7YO BAY GELDING 56.0KG M D DARVILL, A W FLEXMAN, T J MYERS, T W PHILLIPS, S MARSH & R WYETH Most recently 5th of 11 at this track on April 4 over 1300m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Cannon Hill with 54kg at $25.60. The race before that second last of 10 at Tauranga on March 14 over 1200m, in the wet; 15 len behind Churchillian with 59kg at $14.80. Sure to be about the money. |
6 WIREMU PINN |
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| 5 | 0260x |
FROSTFAIR
LANCE NOBLE 5YO BAY MARE 56.0KG CAMBRIDGE STUD LIMITED Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of 11 weeks. Finished off last campaign 11th of 13 at this track in the LR FULTON FAMILY STAKES January 31 over 1500m, soft track; 10 len behind Special Sakura carrying 53kg at $14.70. First up last campaign seventh of 10 at Te Rapa September 27 over 1200m, on heavy track; 5 len behind Whiskey 'N Roses carrying 54kg at $14.70. Has to be respected. |
12 WARREN KENNEDY |
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| 6 | 51040 |
SUPER PHOTON
STEPHEN MARSH 4YO BAY GELDING 56.0KG 2023 BOURBON LANE STABLE NEW ZEALAND LLC, DENNIS E FOSTER, S DOULL, HAWRIDGE DEVELOPMENTS, J HEPBURN R & C RATCLIFFE Comes here off a 35-day let-up. At the latest run ran last of 14 at Tauranga in the G2 Japan Trophy on March 14 over 1600m, on heavy track; 15 len behind Omega Boy with 55kg at $20.90. Before that 4th of 9 at Otaki on February 21 over 1600m, slow going 1.75 len behind Freddie Time with 55kg at $8.30. Terrific chance to return to form. |
5 GEORGE ROOKE |
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| 7 | 15241 |
CHARMROSE
MARK WALKER & SAM BERGERSON 5YO BAY MARE 54.0KG D P & MRS N E HURST Recent form sound. Comes off a 29 day let-up. Last start won by a 0.1 len at Pukekohe March 20 over 1200m defeating Have A Crack carrying 59kg at $5.10. Before that 4th of 10 at Trentham on March 1 over 1100m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Party Rocking carrying 58.5kg at $7.80. One of the major players. |
7 C J GRYLLS |
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| 8 | 828x6 |
GRANDE GALLO
LANCE O'SULLIVAN & ANDREW SCOTT 5YO CHESTNUT MARE 54.0KG BRIAN ANDERSON FAMILY TRUST, D CLARK, G COLDRICK, COMAG SYNDICATE, L DE CLIFFORD, D C & P M DEAN, S J FREEMAN, T HAGEN, G E & MRS J E HARRIS, J HENDERSON, JAMES GROUP SYNDICATE, LION RACING LTD, LOCALLY SAUCED SYNDICATE, D N MAY, K MCELDOWNEY, K & K OSBORNE, MRS A SCHOLLUM & G C WARD Second-up. First-up after nine months 6th of 10 at Tauranga on March 14 over 1200m, on a wet track; 7 len behind Churchillian with 55.5kg at $12.50. Previously second-up 8th of 11 at this track Rating 75 on February 22 2025 over 1400m, slow going 4.5 len behind Lord Penman carrying 58.5kg at $7.20. Expect a better outcome this time. |
8 JOE DOYLE |
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| 9 | x4128 |
EGYPTIAN QUEEN
MARK WALKER & SAM BERGERSON 5YO CHESTNUT MARE 54.0KG TE AKAU SHE REIGNS RACING PARTNERSHIP (MGR: KARYN FENTON-ELLIS MNZM) Returns from a 35-day let-up. At the latest run 8th of 10 at Tauranga on March 14 over 1200m, in the wet; 11 len behind Churchillian carrying 53kg at $5.20. The run before that 2nd of 9 at Matamata on February 28 over 1200m, slow going 3.5 len behind Poetic Champion carrying 58.5kg at $7.80. Well placed to turn things around. |
4 MASAHIRO HASHIZUME |
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| 10 | 1x13x |
CELESTIAL WONDER
MARK WALKER & SAM BERGERSON 4YO BAY MARE 54.0KG TE AKAU BEYOND THE STARS RACING PARTNERSHIP (MGR: KARYN FENTON-ELLIS MNZM) Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of six months. Finished off last campaign third in a small field at this track October 25 over 1200m, soft track; 3 len behind Master Fay carrying 54kg at $1.60. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by head this track September 20 over 1200m slow track defeating Acapelago with 57kg at $2.80. Has claims if presented on song. |
2 COURTNEY BARNES |
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| 11 | 32352 |
TRISTAR
LANCE O'SULLIVAN & ANDREW SCOTT 4YO BAY MARE 54.0KG SIR TREVOR CLARKE, MRS A J CROAD, A CUTTANCE, B R JARY, C B JONES, D LYE, A & C MARSHALL & C WEAVER Last start 5th of 12 at Trentham in the LR Lightning Hcp on March 21 over 1200m, slow going 5 len behind Platinum Attack carrying 53kg at $19.10. Before that 3rd of 14 at Te Rapa on February 7 over 1200m, on a slow track; 0.8 len behind Egyptian Queen carrying 59kg at $9.10. Capable of a lot more. |
4 |
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| 12 | 11114 |
MISS JONES
CODY COLE 4YO BAY MARE 54.0KG BRENT TAYLOR, CHERRY TAYLOR & FAITH TAYLOR Form hard to fault. At the latest run 4th of 12 at Trentham in the LR Lightning Hcp on March 21 over 1200m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Platinum Attack with 53kg at $8.40. The race before that won by a nose at Te Rapa February 7 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Sarti carrying 59.5kg at $1.50. One of the main contenders. |
6 |
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| 13 | 40133 |
FINEST HOUR
RALPH MANNING 5YO BAY MARE 54.0KG R R MANNING Most recently 3rd in a small field at Te Aroha on March 28 over 1150m, on a wet track; 0.9 len behind Cleat with 52kg at $10.70. The run before that 3rd of 10 at Trentham on March 1 over 1100m, slow going 4 len behind Party Rocking with 53kg at $24.60. Will find this tougher. |
10 TAYLA MITCHELL |
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| 14 | 3767x |
DOMAIN ACE
GRAEME & DEBBIE ROGERSON 4YO CHESTNUT GELDING 54.0KG GA ROGERSON MNZM, M & M T BUTTERWORTH, CA LEISHMAN, L & B GURNEY Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign second last of 8 at Taupo December 28 over 1400m, soft track; 5.5 len behind Nigella Lane with 54kg at $4.80. First up last campaign ran last of 8 at Ruakaka August 16 over 1100m, on rain affected going; 30 len behind Cleat with 56.5kg at $12.30. Plenty of more attractive propositions in this race. |
11 A LAWSON-CARROLL |
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