G.2 NZB Wellington Guineas Looks Tough

Despite the looming threat of a heavy track at Trentham tomorrow, the Group 2 $85,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Wellington Guineas (1500m) could be a stern pointer for the NZ Two Thousand and New Zealand Bloodstock One Thousand Guineas at Riccarton next month.

In a field boasting a lot of talent, the market is a good indication of where to start with the Stephen McKee trained Hoofit (Mossman x Chuckle) heading the early TAB market at $3.80.

The last start winner of the Listed $45,000 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m), Hoofit brings strong form into the race after beating a good field of three-year-olds at Ellerslie. With the wet track likely to be of no concern for the son of Mossman, he has a strong hand in the race.

The ever so consistent Cellarmaster (Dubawi x Oenology) has raced well without success thus far this campaign notching up a third in the Listed Wanganui Guineas and a last start fourth in the Group 2 Hawke's Bay Guineas. Yet to register a win on any footing worse than good, he may find the conditions testing but his talent will carry him along way.

The Oaks Stud will be hoping their stallion Bachelor Duke can continue his success in the race with his son Keyora (Bachelor Duke x Fairy Lights) winning the race last year. He is represented by Sweet Suitor (ex Holy Honey) who ran a strong last start second to Hoofit in the Listed Bonecrusher Stakes. The Graeme & Debbie Rogerson trained mount has slow track form and has been impressive this season.

Haunui Farm's Elusive City will be looking to taste his first success in the Group 2 feature. He has two runners including the impressive debut winner at Hastings, the Aaron Bidlake trained Elusive Tracy (ex Trestres Tracy Ann) and Jetset Lad (ex Jetset Lass). Despite both only having limited race day experience they have both shown they have the potential to produce solid performances here.

Although being quoted at $21 with the TAB, the John & Karen Parsons trained Au Naturel (Spartacus x Oyster) has shown in his four starts that he can produce the goods and with strong wet track form could prove a tough customer if he can make the step up to this company.

Other runners in the race include the son of No Excuse Needed, The Knight (ex Melanie) who has placed in all his three starts to date, the debut winner Zenno Rolls Royce (Zenno Rob Roy x My Cinna), last start winner Daiello (Niello x Stately Opera), Anotherchancetaken (No Excuse Needed x Winning Spree) who was a tidy second to Maradona (Mr. Nancho) at Hastings last month, and the Trent Busuttin trained Barside (Tobougg x Chita Rivera).

The Group 2 $85,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Wellington Guineas (1500m) is set to run at Trentham, race 6 at 3.48 tomorrow.