| R8 ELLERSLIE | 02 March 2019 |
| Waikato Stud Plate G3 OPEN ($96,000), 1200m 1:09.53 | |
| Race Synopsis: This G3 Open 1200m under set weights and penalties saw the G1 Railway form held here on New Years Day unsurprising stand up, as it is contested under the same conditions.
Princess Kereru won narrowly and a close up third was Santa Monica, with the latter winning the Railway by a neck over the former just under nine weeks ago.
The winners and where they turned for home in race order were fifth (five-off the fence and two lengths from the leader), eighth (two-off the inside and four lengths from the leader), led (length ahead and four-off the inside), third (five-off the inside and length and a half from the leader), fourth (six-off the inside and length and a half from the leader), twelfth (four-off the inside and four lengths from the leader), fourth (one-off the inside and length and a half from the leader), fifth (one-off the inside and three lengths from the leader), fourth (two-off the inside and a length from the leader) and led (one-off the fence and a neck in front).
Princess Kereru drew the ace and sat fifth and not far away to the home turn then angled off and surged through to lead at the 200m,.
She held on by a head in 1:09.53 to record her sixth win from twenty-three starts plus today was her first Blacktype win.
Gate two provided the quinella in Ronchi that has been disappointing for a while as a miler but back to the 1200m seemed to suit the 6yo.
Ronchi surged home from the midfield and almost got up for what would have been a first win since September of 2017.
Santa Monica raced handy the outer and fought hard to the line to be beaten a head and a short head plus the mare has not gone a poor race in her last dozen starts.
Volks Lightning was on the pace early then settled third and she fought well the run home once into clear air after being held up at the 300m.
Riki Tiki Tavi was eased back wide early and sat deep albeit with cover then ran home well for fifth beaten less than a length and three-quarters.
Livin' On A Prayer raced ninth mostly and ran on okay late for sixth but was almost a couple of lengths behind the fifth finisher at the line.
Spring Heat settled well back as usual and she too ran on late and it is only her racing pattern that has prevented more wins as the ability is certainly there.
Ferrando sped into the lead early and then wilted once headed at the 200m while The Precious One ran on late the last bit after settling well back.
Hasahalo resuming was warming up late from well back on settling and is an improver.
Rocanto was barely par while Bisou Bisou had a wide run in the midfield so did well not to drop out.
William Wallace was better this time and a left-handed track and some cut in the ground could see a braveheart performance for bettors.
Ja Ja Binks was last away and never looked any hope but it should be noted this mare ran a blinder fresh up, was not too bad second up and can be forgiven here, so she is backable in the right race.
Lots of future winners from this race in New Zealand back to their proper grades or where the handicapping is fairer as set weights and penalties helps only a few and hurts the majority so the upside both short term and long term serves no purpose or benefit whatsoever and does not increase depth.
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Group 3 Waikato Stud Plate
1st: Princess Kereru (Cameron Lammas)
2nd: Ronchi (Jake Bayliss)
3rd: Santa Monica (Trudy Thornton)
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