Ellerslie 04 Apr 2026
GOING: S(5)
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ELSDON PARK 1500m Track: SOFT 5 Out 8.5m |
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Pace a scorcher, headed by Rocky Marciano, Gate Crashers and He's Platinum, closely followed by What Next and Our Solana. HAKUSHU (4) has found it hard to win another race and has been running on too late over 1400m in his last couple of starts, including his last run at Tauranga against the pattern that day. The extra 100m can make all the difference this time, and he can have the last say. SWEET SMILE (5) won his maiden fresh at Pukekohe in his first start since returning from Hong Kong, and he then was a game runner-up at Pukekohe last time out after hitting the front early in the run home. He is peaking for this, and he will be hard to beat again. GATE CRASHERS (1) ran some good races without winning earlier in the season, and his recent freshen up would have done him no harm. He was close up in a recent trial, and he will be ready to rumble in this. SACRED COMBATANT (3) caught the eye with a late finish for sixth when fresh at Pukekohe just over a fortnight ago. He cops a tough gate here, but can still run into a top 4 placing. ESPERANZA (10) has improved recently, and she is worth including. SUGGESTED PLAY: Hakushu can win this.
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| 1 | 4235x |
GATE CRASHERS
SHAUNE RITCHIE & COLM MURRAY 4YO BAY GELDING 60.0KG S F RITCHIE, G BARNETT, G & M SIMON, S J FREEMAN, E J WOOD & B COATES Is first-up after a break of nine weeks and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last preparation fifth of 12 at Trentham January 31 over 2100m, soft track; 5 len behind Walkinthepark with 57kg at $3.70. Previously first up; eighth of 15 at this track September 6 over 1600m, soft track; 1.3 len behind Texas with 57kg at $13.30. Looks all set for a positive return. |
12 JOE DOYLE |
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| 2 | 929x0 |
HE'S CLASSIC
BRUCE WALLACE & GRANT COOKSLEY 6YO BAY GELDING 60.0KG B J, C J, J R & R J WALLACE Second-up. First-up after two months ran last of 10 at Pukekohe on March 20 over 1400m, 13 len behind Master Fay with 53kg at $57. Previously second-up 9th of 14 at Pukekohe on November 8 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind I'm Lulu with 55.5kg at $27.10. Expecting him to kick on with that first run out of the way. |
4 ELEN NICHOLAS |
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| 3 | 198x6 |
SACRED COMBATANT
BRUCE WALLACE & GRANT COOKSLEY 4YO BROWN GELDING 60.0KG WINS SYNDICATE Second-up. First-up after four months 6th of 11 at Pukekohe on March 20 over 1200m, 2.25 len behind Charmrose carrying 54kg at $52. Previously second-up was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by a head at Avondale October 8 over 1600m in the wet defeating Just A Karin with 57.5kg at $7.50. Fitter for that run and expected to be in the finish this time. |
16 SAM MCNAB |
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| 4 | 03643 |
HAKUSHU
STEPHEN MARSH 4YO BAY GELDING 59.0KG HAWRIDGE DEVELOPMENTS LTD, JAMIESON PARK LTD, JML BLOODSTOCK LTD (MGR: L PETAGNA), LITTLE AVONDALE TRUST & S B MARSH Form hard to fault. Most recently 3rd of 12 at Tauranga on March 14 over 1400m, in the wet; 1.1 len behind Unwritten carrying 59kg at $6. Before that 4th of 10 at Matamata on February 28 over 1400m, slow going 1.5 len behind Imperial Empress carrying 56kg at $10.20. Has ability and should run well. |
6 O P BOSSON |
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| 5 | 64x12 |
SWEET SMILE
JENNA MAHONEY 5YO BAY GELDING 59.0KG MS V TANG Third-up today. Resuming won by a 0.5 len at Pukekohe February 25 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Stay Frosty with 58.5kg at $5.80. Second-up 2nd of 10 at Pukekohe on March 20 over 1200m, 1.0 len behind Vieni Su carrying 59kg at $4.90. Capable of taking this out. |
3 MASAHIRO HASHIZUME |
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| 6 | 04620 |
JURISPRUDENCE
DANNY WALKER & ARRON TATA 5YO BAY HORSE 59.0KG DALUMA HORSE OWNERS CLUB Last start sat behind the speed prior to fading second last of 11 at Pukekohe on March 13 over 2100m, slow going 4.5 len behind Astarte with 59.5kg at $6. Before that raced on speed throughout when 2nd of 15 at this track on February 21 over 2100m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind High Country carrying 59kg at $19.80. Hard to fault if at his best. |
13 C J GRYLLS |
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| 7 | 8x615 |
ROCKY MARCIANO
PETER & SHAUN MCKAY 4YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG KIM MCKAY, PETER MCKAY & A MACDONALD At the latest run faded in the straight 5th of 10 at Trentham on March 21 over 1600m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Summit Up with 57.5kg at $7.20. The start before that won by 3 len at Matamata March 11 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Al Azhar with 58.5kg at $10.50. Has ability and can turn things around. |
2 M CAMERON |
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| 8 | 15x97 |
EL ZORO
PHILLIP DEVCICH 9YO BROWN GELDING 58.0KG P DEVCICH & W RILEY Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up got back early 9th of 13 at Tauranga on March 14 over 1600m, on rain affected going; 7 len behind The Nomad with 59kg at $48.70. Second run from a spell ran last of 7 at Te Aroha on March 28 over 2200m, on heavy track; 11 len behind Perfectmanz carrying 52.5kg at $18.50. Looks safely held. |
1 L H SATHERLEY |
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| 9 | 856x0 |
HE'S PLATINUM
MICHAEL ROGERS 8YO BAY GELDING 57.0KG MRS J J ENTWISLE Second run back. First-up after 10 months second last of 11 at Matamata on March 11 over 1200m, on a slow track; 11 len behind Midori Glory carrying 58kg at $36.40. Previously second-up 7th of 11 at Arawa Park on December 4 2024 over 1400m, 3.5 len behind Miss Rockette with 57.5kg at $12.30. Prepared to take him on again today in this company. |
5 ERIN M LEIGHTON |
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| 10 | 59394 |
ESPERANZA
SHAUNE RITCHIE & COLM MURRAY 4YO BAY MARE 57.0KG THE OAKS STUD At the latest run 4th of 10 at Trentham on March 21 over 1600m, slow going 3 len behind Summit Up with 57kg at $4.90. The start before that second last of 10 at Matamata on February 28 over 1400m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Imperial Empress with 57.5kg at $4.90. Well placed and sure to be in the finish. |
7 MATT CARTWRIGHT |
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| 11 | 51 |
WHAT NEXT
BENJAMIN KING 3YO BAY FILLY 56.0KG HENRIETTA, DUCHESS OF BEDFORD & GRAEME THOMSON Lining up for just third start. At debut, 5th of 11 at Pukekohe on March 13 over 1400m, on a slow track; 2.75 len behind Celtic Tycoon with 55.5kg at $13.50. Second-up ran on from midfield and won by 2 len at Hawera March 25 over 1400m defeating Ain't It Fun carrying 55.5kg at $5.30. Fitter and can measure up again. |
9 SAMANTHA COLLETT |
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| 12 | x4103 |
CLEAR CONSCIENCE
PAM GERARD 4YO BAY MARE 56.0KG A BEGG, MS S E BOURKE, M BRUDENELL, W N CAMPBELL, MRS D R FELTON, P R FRAZER, GEE GEE EQUINE LTD (MGR: GERARD PETERSON), P GLEESON, HALLMARK STUD LTD, W H PARKINSON, RSA MORRINSVILLE RACING SYNDICATE, D J & T J RYAN, SAVVY RACING TURBO SYNDICATE (MGR: KEITH MCDONALD) & B TUDOR Comes off a 35 day let-up. Last start raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 10 at Matamata on February 28 over 1400m, slow going 1.4 len behind Imperial Empress with 54kg at $16.30. Before that second last of 11 at Trentham on January 17 over 1400m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Hoorah Henry carrying 56.5kg at $11.50. Must be included. |
14 GEORGE ROOKE |
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| 13 | 01565 |
GALLINDA
TODD MITCHELL 4YO BROWN MARE 56.0KG A H & MRS H MACKENZIE Last start raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 13 at Tauranga on March 14 over 1600m, in the wet; 4.5 len behind The Nomad with 55.5kg at $24.80. The race before that got back early 6th of 9 at Matamata on February 14 over 1400m, on rain affected going; 6 len behind Bolli Belle with 56.5kg at $24.40. Better than the last run suggests. |
8 TAYLA MITCHELL |
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| 14 | 10x45 |
HERO OF WAR
BARBARA KENNEDY 4YO BAY MARE 56.0KG BARNESWOOD FARM LTD FOR S C GREEN & G C BEEMSTERBOER Third-up today. First-up 4th of 9 at Pukekohe on February 25 over 1500m, slow going 0.9 len behind Volunteer carrying 56.5kg at $8.70. Second-up 5th of 11 at Te Aroha on March 6 over 1600m, slow going 1.3 len behind Victorious Warrior with 57.5kg at $6.10. Big chance. |
11 WARREN KENNEDY |
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| 15 | 8x414 |
OUR SOLANA
STEPHEN MARSH 4YO CHESTNUT MARE 56.0KG SEYMOUR BLOODSTOCK PTY LTD (MGR: D THOMAS) & THE OAKS STUD Racing well recently. Most recently 4th of 13 at Tauranga on March 14 over 1600m, in the wet; 4 len behind The Nomad with 56.5kg at $5.70. Before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 2.5 len at Taupo February 22 over 1400m defeating Bellish Boy with 56.5kg at $4.50. Key chance and expected to run well. |
10 M MCNAB |
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| 16 | 800x7 |
SUPER FLY
CONOR AND SARAH FAHY 5YO BAY MARE 56.0KG DEBBIE O'DRISCOLL, PETE WILSON Second-up. First-up after three months 7th of 11 at Matamata on March 11 over 1200m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Midori Glory carrying 57kg at $15. Previously second-up 8th of 18 at this track on June 7 over 1600m, slow going 6 len behind Peerless with 57kg at $5.70. Looking to others for the winner. |
15 CORENTIN BERGE |
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| 17 | 56946 |
ANNIE OAKLEY
DENISE JEFFCOAT 5YO BAY MARE 54.0KG P G DOWDALL At the latest run 6th of 10 at Pukekohe on March 13 over 1400m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Fleeting Glimpse with 56kg at $4.70. The run before that 4th of 13 at Te Aroha on March 6 over 1400m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Berenhard with 56kg at $25.70. Struggling to find form and has the job ahead. |
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