Ellerslie 18 Apr 2026
GOING: S(5)
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MANCO EASTER HANDICAP 1600m Track: SOFT 5 True |
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Strong tempo with Churchillian, Khafre and Privy Garden leading the way. DECEMBER (6) is a very handy gelding who has been knocking on the door over the shorter trips, and he will be trying out 1600m for the first time here. She gets a big swing in her draw after a last start third off a wide gate at stakes level, and she is good enough to take this out. ELLE SOURIT (8) was beaten by a head for the first time in 5 starts at Te Aroha 3 weeks ago, and she will be spot on for her first run at this level. She won here fresh up, and she should go close to winning again. OMEGA BOY (2) missed out on a hat-trick of wins when just battling home to finish unplaced in the G2 Awapuni Gold Cup at Trentham 3 weeks ago. His win in the Japan Trophy in his penultimate start is the guide to use, and he is worth another chance, especially dropping back to 1600m. MASTER FAY (1) is a lightly tried veteran who has raced his way back into form. He will be trying 1600m for the first time, but he gives every indication that it won't be an issue for him. Each way. SUGGESTED PLAY: December can win this, and Omega Boy to bounce back into the top 3.
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| 1 | 05412 |
MASTER FAY
CHAD ORMSBY 8YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG RIVERROCK FARM LIMITED Racing well recently. Last start sat on the pace when 2nd of 11 at this track on April 4 over 1300m, slow going 0.2 len behind Cannon Hill carrying 57.5kg at $6.90. The race before that ran on from midfield and won by 2.75 len at Pukekohe March 20 over 1400m defeating Moschino carrying 58kg at $5.30. Went close last time. Huge chance on best form. |
14 SAM MCNAB |
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| 2 | 56110 |
OMEGA BOY
PETER AND TRENT DIDHAM 5YO BROWN GELDING 57.0KG HOMEVIEW BLOODSTOCK Most recently 10th of 16 at Trentham in the G2 Awapuni Gold Cup on March 28 over 2100m, slow going 5 len behind He's A Doozy carrying 57kg at $6. The start before that ran on from midfield and won by 0.7 len at Tauranga G2 Japan Trophy March 14 over 1600m in heavy going defeating Sterling Express with 55kg at $10.90. Tough to beat on best efforts. |
3 O P BOSSON |
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| 3 | 00234 |
KHAFRE
RALPH MANNING 6YO B/BR GELDING 57.0KG A B COOMBE Racing well recently. Most recently 4th of 7 at Te Aroha on March 28 over 1600m, on heavy track; 7 len behind Pacifico carrying 59kg at $5.40. The run before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 14 at Tauranga in the G2 Japan Trophy on March 14 over 1600m, in the wet; 1.5 len behind Omega Boy with 56kg at $15.60. Can feature with the right run. |
16 TAYLA MITCHELL |
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| 4 | 85351 |
CANNON HILL
TONY PIKE 5YO BAY GELDING 56.0KG T B DIXON, N GREENHALGH, J HARMAN, HAUNUI FARM LP, MAGIC BLOODSTOCK RACING, MANONO NO.2 TRUST, NORCROSS BLOODSTOCK LTD, P M SMITH, PIKE RACING LTD, B & E WALDRON, M WEINER, MRS E WELLS & WHAKANUI STUD LTD Most recently won by a 0.2 len at this track April 4 over 1300m on a soft track defeating Master Fay with 57.5kg at $7. Before that 5th of 14 at Tauranga in the G2 Japan Trophy on March 14 over 1600m, on heavy track; 2.25 len behind Omega Boy carrying 55kg at $15.10. Huge chance on latest and can go on with it. |
1 M MCNAB |
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| 5 | 94x12 |
CHURCHILLIAN
TONY PIKE 6YO CHESTNUT MARE 55.0KG EMBLEM LTD, G D MELVILLE-SMITH, B W STEVENSON ONZM, J C & EST LATE M A THOMPSON Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up won by 6 len at Tauranga March 14 over 1200m in the wet defeating December with 57.5kg at $17.60. Second-up held ground to the line 2nd of 16 at Trentham in the LR Flying Hcp on March 28 over 1400m, slow going 0.2 len behind Archaic Smile with 54kg at $6.60. In form and will be hard to beat. |
8 SAMANTHA COLLETT |
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| 6 | x0223 |
DECEMBER
ROGER JAMES & ROBERT WELLWOOD 5YO BAY GELDING 53.0KG FALCON RACING Recent form sound. At the latest run made ground from midfield; 3rd of 16 at Trentham in the LR Flying Hcp on March 28 over 1400m, slow going 1.2 len behind Archaic Smile carrying 53kg at $6.80. The run before that 2nd of 10 at Tauranga on March 14 over 1200m, on rain affected going; 6 len behind Churchillian with 56kg at $2.10. Hard to fault and can go on with it. |
2 GEORGE ROOKE |
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| 7 | 7x000 |
DROP OF SOMETHING
W HILLIS & R COLE 6YO CHESTNUT GELDING 53.0KG EVANS BREEDING LTD Last start ran last of 16 at Trentham in the G2 Awapuni Gold Cup on March 28 over 2100m, on a slow track; 15 len behind He's A Doozy with 55kg at $139.60. The race before that second last of 14 at Tauranga in the G2 Japan Trophy on March 14 over 1600m, in the wet; 12 len behind Omega Boy with 55kg at $62.80. Would have to improve even further. |
5 COURTNEY BARNES |
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| 8 | x1x12 |
ELLE SOURIT
ANDREW FORSMAN 4YO CHESTNUT MARE 53.0KG MS A I BARR, J A BELL, W M DEMPSTER & C J PEARCE Third-up today. Resuming favourite; won by 0.8 len at this track March 7 over 1400m in soft going defeating Transaction carrying 56.5kg at $6.30. Second-up 2nd of 7 at Te Aroha on March 28 over 1600m, on heavy track; 0.3 len behind Pacifico carrying 54kg at $1.90. Likely to feature again. |
9 JOE DOYLE |
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| 9 | 3x274 |
FINANCIER
STEPHEN MARSH 6YO BAY GELDING 53.0KG DENNIS E FOSTER, DR P H MITCHELL, A P SAKER, G R TOMLINSON & G R WILSON Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 2nd in a small field at Taupo on February 22 over 1400m, 0.6 len behind Captured By Love with 54kg at $9. Second run from a spell 7th of 10 at Pukekohe on March 20 over 1400m, 7 len behind Master Fay carrying 55kg at $5.50. Can feature with the right run. |
5 MATT CARTWRIGHT |
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| 10 | 71983 |
PERICLES
PAM GERARD 5YO BAY GELDING 53.0KG BALLYMORE RACING NZ LTD, DAME SIAN ELIAS, HUGH FLETCHER, C LINDBERG, S MOUTTER, S O'CONNOR, MRS J A & R A PADDON, A SCHMEDJE & D G DEVONPORT Most recently made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 16 at this track on April 4 over 1500m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Atmospheric carrying 59.5kg at $38.70. The run before that second last of 9 at Matamata on February 28 over 2000m, on a slow track; 10 len behind Savoir Faire carrying 56kg at $9.50. One of the chances. |
12 A LAWSON-CARROLL |
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| 11 | 401x5 |
PRIVY GARDEN
ANDREW FORSMAN 5YO BAY MARE 53.0KG CHINA HORSE CLUB RACING PTY LTD Second-up. First-up after five months 5th of 10 at Te Aroha on March 28 over 1400m, on a wet track; 4.5 len behind Lachie carrying 58kg at $8.90. Previously second-up ran last of 8 at Te Aroha Hcp on August 31 over 1600m, on rain affected going; 8 len behind Son Of Sun carrying 54kg at $2.70. Hard to fault if at her best. |
6 M CAMERON |
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| 12 | 110x3 |
MOLLIFY
LANCE NOBLE 4YO BROWN MARE 53.0KG CAMBRIDGE STUD LIMITED Second run back. First-up after three months 3rd of 10 at Pukekohe on March 20 over 1400m, 4 len behind Master Fay with 54kg at $6.70. Previously second-up won by a long-neck at Te Aroha October 22 over 1600m on a soft track defeating Vadanova with 57kg at $5. Can feature with the right run. |
7 WARREN KENNEDY |
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| 13 | 3x612 |
TOP SHELF
MARK WALKER & SAM BERGERSON 4YO BROWN MARE 53.0KG FAIRDALE STUD (2007) LTD, G B FELL MNZM, GIMME SOME OF THAT TOP SHELF SYNDICATE & TOP DRAW RACING SYNDICATE Recent form sound. Last start 2nd of 16 at this track on April 4 over 1500m, slow going 0.8 len behind Atmospheric with 58.5kg at $6.20. Before that won by a 0.4 len at this track March 7 over 1600m on a soft track defeating Flanagan with 56kg at $8.70. Wasn’t too far off the mark last time. Hard to fault if at her best. |
13 MASAHIRO HASHIZUME |
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| 14 | 20x31 |
ATMOSPHERIC
CODY COLE 4YO BAY GELDING 53.0KG B BROOM, M L & D SHUKER, D R & C EVANS, T THOMSON, C & R ANSELL, D HARI, M BRIGHOUSE, M GALLAGHER, L & G GALLAGHER, C & J GALLAGHER, M HONISS, A & G VEINT, M EINERT, ARION EQUINE LTD & C A COLE Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up 3rd of 13 at this track on March 7 over 1600m, slow going 0.5 len behind Top Shelf with 57.5kg at $15.50. Second-up settled well back; won by 0.8 len at this track April 4 over 1500m in soft going defeating Top Shelf carrying 58kg at $7.80. Hard to fault form and can measure up again. |
9 |
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| 15 | 06x95 |
BOURBON PROOF
STEPHEN MARSH 4YO BAY GELDING 53.0KG 2023 BOURBON LANE STABLE NEW ZEALAND LLC, DENNIS E FOSTER, DR P H MITCHELL, EVAN PHILLIPS & T W ARCHER TRUST Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 9th of 11 at Tauranga on March 14 over 1400m, in the wet; 10 len behind Butterfield carrying 58kg at $18.70. Second run from a spell 5th of 16 at this track on April 4 over 1500m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Atmospheric with 60.5kg at $59. Hard to have in this tough line-up. |
19 |
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| 16 | 7x041 |
LUPO SOLITARIO
DANICA GUY 5YO BAY GELDING 53.0KG DANICA GUY, GAYLE GUY & GLEN GUY Form hard to fault. Comes off a 29 day let-up. Most recently favourite; won by a 0.1 len at Pukekohe March 20 over 1600m defeating Zantabulous carrying 58kg at $4.60. The run before that 4th of 9 at Matamata on February 28 over 1400m, slow going 1.2 len behind Thooza carrying 58kg at $5.50. Sure to be thereabouts again. |
11 WIREMU PINN |
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| 17 | 31190 |
SORGHAGHTANI
GRAHAM RICHARDSON & ROGAN NORVALL 6YO BAY MARE 53.0KG G RICHARDSON, C LEISHMAN, B PRIEST, S & P COPELAND, R & A ANARU, R GODDARD & P GODDARD & MURRAY-MAC SYNDICATE Most recently 12th of 16 at this track on April 4 over 1500m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Atmospheric carrying 57kg at $14.70. The run before that got back early 9th of 14 at Tauranga in the G2 Japan Trophy on March 14 over 1600m, on heavy track; 4.5 len behind Omega Boy with 53kg at $27. Will need to do a bit more. |
4 L H SATHERLEY |
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| 18 | 60361 |
LACHIE
BARBARA KENNEDY 4YO CHESTNUT GELDING 53.0KG J K & MRS J M MACLACHLAN & A K ROBERTSON At the latest run settled well back; won by 0.8 len at Te Aroha March 28 over 1400m in the wet defeating Amira D'argento with 56.5kg at $4.30. The start before that 6th of 13 at this track on March 7 over 1600m, slow going 1.0 len behind Top Shelf carrying 57.5kg at $14.60. Will need to do even more. |
15 ELEN NICHOLAS |
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| 19 | x11x4 |
GOD OF EROS
SHANE CRAWFORD 7YO BAY GELDING 53.0KG B LI & REGAL FARM PARTNERSHIP Second run back. First-up after three months came home strongly from last on the turn; 4th of 16 at this track on April 4 over 1500m, slow going 3 len behind Atmospheric carrying 56kg at $47.30. Previously second-up came from midfield and won by a 0.2 len at Tauranga January 8 over 1500m on a soft track defeating Buster Shaw with 58.5kg at $23.80. Would have to improve sharply. |
10 C J GRYLLS |
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