Saturday preview: six things to keep an eye on

Cover image courtesy of Race Images

G2 Wakefield Challenge S. - a promising duo vying for favouritism

It's just a field of six 2-year-olds lining up in this Group 2 contest over 1100 metres at Trentham but it is certainly not a race lacking in interest with two very promising types vying for favouritism.

Both of them are already winners and both are Australian-bred members of the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson stable; Cool Aza Rene from the debut crop of Newhaven Park Stud's Cool Aza Beel (NZ) and Marokopa Falls by Yarraman Park's Hellbent.

A $55,000 graduate of the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Cool Aza Rene has shown pace and talent winning her first two starts at Otaki and Riccarton Park.

Her stablemate Marokopa Falls, also purchased by David Ellis, was secured for $57,000 at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale and she too made her own luck on the speed when successful at her Trentham debut a couple of weeks ago.

It could be two in a row for Te Akau with the recent G1 NZ 1000 Guineas winner Captured By Love (Written Tycoon), at her second start, winning this race last year.

Both horses have 2-year-old stakes winners in their pedigrees, Marokopa Falls hailing from a nice Northern Hemisphere family whilst Cool Aza Rene (whose sire was also raced by Te Akau) has as her third dam the Australian Champion 2YO Filly Hasna (Snippets).

The most expensive purchase amongst this group of juveniles is Miss Ziggy (NZ) (Brazen Beau), a $250,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale purchase whose dam Zigwig (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) was a stakes winner at two.

Miss Ziggy showed good fight when finishing second to Cool Aza Rene last time out and she was also in the placings at debut.

Landlock (Merchant Navy) won his maiden on a Heavy track but didn't seem to relish the same conditions when out of the placings at his second start. Intention (Bivouac) found trouble in running before finishing off nicely at her only start whilst War Princess (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}) is the race's only debutant, coming off a trial victory at Woodville.

G2 Manawatu Challenge S. - Melbourne Cup form to hold up?

Jockey Ryan Elliot boasts a good record on the classy Sharp 'N' Smart (NZ) (Redwood {GB}), pairing with that 5-year-old on four occasions for two wins and two placings.

Both of those victories have come at the elite level, the G1 Herbie Dyke S. and the G1 New Zealand Derby and connections will be hoping that the pairing works well again on Saturday at Trentham.

Sharp 'N' Smart returns from a Melbourne campaign which saw him run well without much luck in the G1 Turnbull S. and the G2 Moonee Valley Cup before finishing 9.5l off Knight's Choice (Extreme Choice) in the G1 Melbourne Cup.

He may not have won for a while, but this looks a nice race for him to strike form in though he does have some smart rivals including the consistent Perfect Scenario (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}).

A horse who really knows how to find the line, winning 11 races including the last two runnings of the G3 White Robe Lodge H., he boxed on gamely when third in the G1 Mufhasa Classic a couple of weeks ago.

Another 11-time winner in Puntura (NZ) (Vespa {NZ}) also ran well in that race, over-racing a touch and finding some trouble before finishing just behind the placegetters. Town Cryer (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) was in the market but disappointing that day but has to be worthy of another chance on the strength of her consistent lead-up form.

Lux Libertas (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) had her first crack at Group company last start and was right in the thick of things having won five of her first nine starts whilst Marotiri Molly (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) had won three in a row before crossing the line with Lux Libertas in the G2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders S.

G3 Eulogy S. - promising fillies

Island Life (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) has opened favourite in what looks to be a race of many chances, and it will be no surprise to see the lightly raced and promising filly emerge victorious in this race at Trentham.

Catching the eye with a fast finishing second at her Pukekohe Park debut in mid-October, the Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie-trained bay was soon in winning form easily claiming a Tauranga maiden in early November.

Making the pace in the G3 Wellington S. later that month, she raced a touch keenly at times but was still run down only late by the unbeaten gelding Tuxedo (NZ) (Tivaci). Ocean Miss (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) boxed on well in the placings behind the pair and has plenty of upside having had only three starts.

With 12 runs under her belt, Connello (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) is a more experienced filly, and the three-time winner has drawn better (barrier one) than when she worked hard in Listed company last start, before that striking interference when a game fifth in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas.

Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn) has a win and a close second on her record from just two promising starts whilst Macaluso (NZ) (Savabeel) looks to have come well having outclassed her rivals when resuming.

Some very nice fillies have their name on the honour roll of this race, such as Key (NZ) (Fair's Fair {GB}), La Mer (NZ) (Copenhagen {GB}), Burletta (NZ) (Three Legs {GB}), Phillipa Rush (NZ) (Prince Echo {Ire}), Plume (NZ) (Crested Wave {USA}), Snap (NZ) (Kingdom Bay {NZ}), Champagne (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Justa Tad (NZ) (Istidaad {USA}), Volpe Veloce (Foxwedge) and Savvy Coup (NZ) (Savabeel).

As well as the high-class and influential broodmares Eau D'Etoile (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) and Savannah Success (Success Express {USA}).

G3 Manawatu Cup - an open middle-distance contest

Another open race on the Trentham card, this 2300-metre handicap saw half the field open up at single-figure odds; it really could be anyone's race!

Islington Lass (NZ) (Proisir) has shown a liking for the track and her overall record of seven wins from 15 starts is hard to fault. She has picked up nicely late over her last two runs over 1600 metres, suggesting that this longer trip will suit.

The Underbelly (NZ) (The Bold One {NZ}) is another horse with a great strike rate; seven wins from 17 starts and was a close up fourth when fresh in the Listed Wanganui Cup. The first two home in that race also line up here; Whangaehu (NZ) (Proisir) who made the pace and kept fighting and Orlov (NZ) (Sweynesse) who went down fighting.

Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini {NZ}) has been sound since running a couple of handy races in Melbourne over the spring whilst Cognito (So You Think {NZ}) ran on well over the 2100 metres of the G3 Counties Cup. And one of the up-and-comers of the race is Cheval De Foudre (NZ) (Time Test {GB}).

At the age of nine, Sagunto (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}) has been below his best of late, but should he find his best form he will write his name into the history books as just the second third time winner of this historic race; Robin's Reward (NZ) claiming that feat between the years of 1948 and 1950.

Pakenham's big day - the Cup and the Supernova

What used to be a shorter race without black-type status, the now Listed Pakenham Cup took over the Werribee Cup as a provincial staying feature; run over its current distance of 2500 metres since 2016.

It would be quite some effort for Smokin' Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) to take out the race at the age of eight having won it three years ago as a 5-year-old. But he has the right form lines to again prove successful, winning the G3 Queen Elizabeth S. at Flemington before a brave second (with a gap to third) in the G2 Sandown Classic.

Berkeley Square (Territories {Ire}) was behind him on both occasions, franking that form with a fast-finishing win in the Listed Ballarat Cup two weeks ago.

Fellow 8-year-olds Herman Hesse (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Strawberry Rock (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) are also decent chances as is one senior to them, the wonderful galloper Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}).

Another feature on the card is the inaugural running of the $1 million slot race the Supernova, a 1400-metre contest which sees Nadal (Xtravagant {NZ}) favourite on the back of his barnstorming victory in a similar race, the Meteorite, on Cranbourne Cup Day.

Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel {Ire}), Welwal (GB) (Shalaa {Ire}) and Tuvalu (Kermadec {NZ}) also have good form credentials whilst a win by Just Folk (Magnus) would prove a popular one with that tough campaigner having his first run since a colic attack.

Black-type action at Eagle Farm - the G3 B.J McLachlan S., the Listed Members Mile and the Listed Falvelon Quality

There is always plenty happening in Brisbane over the summer but the city's big wet is having its effect on racing at the moment; though fortunately the Eagle Farm track seems to be on the improve.

The first of the card's three stakes races is the Listed Members Mile, a race won last year by Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), a horse who a year later has remained in great form.

Poetic Drama (NZ) (Proisir) is up in class but in good form on rain affected tracks, Junipal (Reset) is still racing well at nine and Arts Object (Zoustar) comes off a surprise win at nice odds in the Listed Tails S.

The G3 B.J McLachlan S. is the next race on the card, a race in which a number of smart ones have won early in their careers, such as Storm Boy (Justify {USA}) last year, as well as Coolangatta (Written Tycoon), Alpine Edge (Better Than Ready) and King's Legacy. And, back when it was known as the Tommy Smith Slipper, Snitzel in 2004.

Hi Barbie (I Am Invincible) impressed at her Heavy track debut in the Listed Phelan Ready S. where she was kept very safe off the back of good trial form whilst The Playwright (Written By) and Icarian Dream (Blue Point {Ire}) were good finishing one/two at Rosehill late last month.

Gallery: The two horses battling out favouritism in the G3 B.J McLachlan S. at Eagle Farm

Named after one of Queensland's favourite sons, the Listed Falvelon Quality is a race in which Tony Gollan plays a big part, saddling up six of the 14 runners.

Already training two winners of this race, Zarastro (I Am Invincible) last year and Whiskey Allround (All Bar One) in 2016, Gollan has the favourite Hidden Wealth whose sire Better Than Ready won this race in 2013.

Eight times successful from 15 starts, Hidden Wealth was dominant taking out a Group 3 contest first-up. Zarastro attempts to become the second dual winner of this race, joining Roheryn (Lonhro) who was too good in 2020 and 2021.

Garza Blanca (I Am Invincible) is an interesting in-form runner from Melbourne whilst topweight Rothfire (Rothesay) is the proven class runner. He wasn't far away when resuming and his second-up record is five wins from 10 attempts.