A bumper ten race card will be run and won across the ditch at Ellerslie this Boxing Day, with the traditional feature being the $200,000 ($NZ) Group l Zabeel Classic (2000m). The weather is fine, the track is good (3) and the rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.
Special Offer: $501 BONUS BET – Sportsbet
Special Offer 2: $500 BONUS BET – Ladbrokes
Special Offer 3: $750 BONUS BET – Luxbet
Race One (12:50pm) : The New Zealand Herald 1400 (85) 1400m: Form Guide
Back Me: Classy mare Lauren Tate on top for me, who resumes here. She won the Group ll Travis Stakes at Te Rapa before being sent to the Brisbane for the Winter Carnival, where she performed quite well in good races, such as the Chairman’s Handicap, Premier’s Cup and Rockhampton Cup. Trialled at Te Aroha last week and looked very sharp there, closing off strongly from the back. She has an excellent first up record and has class on her side.
Big Danger: Allez Eagle raced wide with no cover when racing over 1200m here on December 6, but the Tony Pike trained runner showed an electric turn of foot when asked by Rory Hutchings and despite wanting to lay in badly, the gelding proved much too good. Don’t be too concerned by the fact he has failed at this trip twice, because the first time he was beaten by Bounding, and then at Caulfield he found a wet track. He does have a touch of brilliance about him, and that will definitely help him with the distance.
Roughie: Elusive Gold was well backed when racing over this track/distance on December 14, and with 300m to go he looked the winner, but the 1400m on a very wet surface just saw him out the last little bit. Firmer surface here and a more genuine tempo looks right up his alley and he is a definite contender.
Click here for a $501 BONUS BET on Duke Of Lauren Tate!
Race Two (1:25pm) : DHL 2YO 1100 1100m: Form Guide
Back Me: The lead up to the Karaka Millions. I was really impressed by the debut win of Selfie at Avondale on December 3, where the son of Thewayyouare had a sweet just off the speed, got held in the early part of the straight, but when he got into the clear, he just careered away like a good horse and won with ease, and ran good time for a two year old. Leap in class here, but he looks highly promising.
Big Danger: Halleloojah is a Graeme/Debbie Rogerson son of Swiss Ace who has showed good ability in three career outings, winning on debut at Avondale before running second at his next two starts, both behind quality animals. He’ll jump and run, and while I have queries on him running a strong 1100m at Ellerslie, the stable is having a good run with their babies and he has the rock hard race day experience.
Roughie: Dal Cielo has only had one start to date, back on October 25 at Riccarton when second to smart youngster Jacquetta, beaten under four lengths, but the winner went on to win at Stakes level during NZ Cup week, so the form reads well, plus this horse trialled in outstanding order recently at Te Aroha. He looks ready to run a beauty here.
Click here for a $501 BONUS BET on Selfie!
Race Three (2:05pm) : Coca-Cola Mile (65) 1600m: Form Guide
Back Me: There was plenty to like about the last start win of Victor Hugo at Pukekura, with the Baker/Forsman trained gelding storming home from a midfield position to win with absolute ease, ending up winning by over four lengths. Yet to race at Ellerslie, but the stable is flying at the moment and the horse can handle any sort of give in the track. Looks a safe way to go.
Big Danger: O’Reilly mare Polish worked home very strongly over 1400m here on December 6, running a half length third to Pace Setter in a real blanket finish. That was her first run in nearly six weeks, so I am tipping big improvement off that, and Rory Hutchings sticks with the mare. Look for her late.
Roughie: Wayne fought on really well when resuming over 1400m on November 27, finishing third to Attention Seeker, beaten a half length. He is building up a nice little record, he draws well and has the services of an in form hoop in Trudy Thornton. Mile suits, looks hard to beat.
Click here for a $501 BONUS BET on Victor Hugo!
Race Four (2:45pm) : Tip Top 3YO 1400 1400m: Form Guide
Back Me: Ambitious Unicorn was a dominant debut winner at Awapuni before the Baker/Forsman stable stepped him straight up to Listed company in the Trevor Eagle Memorial over 1500m here on November 29, and the gelding was very good when third to Tavy. He loomed to win on the turn, but being his second career start at 1500m against quality opposition probably was just a touch too much, but he stuck to the task very gamely. Back to 1400m now, freshened up…ticks plenty of boxes.
Big Danger: Huka Eagle proved too good for his rivals on debut at Taupo, then won here before being freshened, trialled well and ran over 1300m here where he was really strong late, narrowly missing out on the win when bloused by the potential NZ Derby winner in Volkstok’n’barrell. Fitter, up in trip and appears to have a real liking for the track.
Roughie: No Tricks last raced on October 25 over this track/distance against the older horses when unwinding a powerful finish late to narrowly miss out on picking up Casino Park. Freshened since then, and has trialled on December 5 at Cambridge where she looked outstanding behind quality opposition. Draw doesn’t help, but she’s highly promising.
Click here for a $501 BONUS BET on Ambitious Unicorn!
Race Five (3:25pm) : Hallmark Stud Newmarket Handicap 1200m: Form Guide
Back Me: Classy gelding Natuzzi resumed from a spell with a strong third to Soubrettes in the Lindaeur Stewards Stakes during NZ Cup week at Riccarton, finishing four lengths from the winner. His prep in Australia was excellent as a whole, and the last time he was here, he ran a cracker in the Railway behind Bounding. That’s good enough form to win here.
Big Danger: Trepidation stormed home from the back to run a close up fifth in the Concorde here three weeks back, beaten three lengths by In Style. I thought there would be value in the mare, but she has been well found at around the $6 mark. In saying that, I think she will firm given there appears to be a false favourite in Ruud Awakening. Trepidation will get back again, but a hot speed here will give her every chance to storm home.
Roughie: Spitfire Lady formerly raced in Australia with Mike Moroney but is now in his NZ stable, and on face value, she has simply been dreadful this time in, but I can give her excuses for last time out. She was caught wide on a hot speed and with this mare, she doesn’t like being exposed too early. I think from a good draw here, she will be put to sleep and saved for one run, and we have seen in the past that those tactics can be winning tactics.
Click here for a $501 BONUS BET on Natuzzi!
Race Six (4:05pm) : Lindaeur 1200 (75) 1200m: Form Guide
Back Me: Adrenaline Rush has been excellent in two runs back from a spell, winning on both occasions. First up he took the trail and burst through late to win, then went to Te Rapa and scooted along in front to lead all the way, and ran good time. In well at the weights again thanks to the claim, should roll forward again and give plenty of cheek in front.
Big Danger: Biggin Hall hasn’t won for over 14 months, but is racing very consistently. Two back he dragged the field up to the two leaders at Avondale, headed them off and fought on well to run third, then came here and had the dream sit off the speed, peeled out, looked the winner and was nabbed right on the peg. Should get a similar trip now and Jason Collett riding is a very good jockey change, with all respect to Derek Nolan.
Roughie: Pacific Choice wasn’t given much hope when racing over this track/distance last time out but the daughter of Snitzel powered home from the back to run fourth to Allez Eagle, who will be a leading chance earlier on in the day. Her racing pattern will bring about more bad luck than good, but if the breaks go her way, she can certainly win this.
Click here for a $501 BONUS BET on Duke Of Adrenaline Rush!
Race Seven (4:45pm) : Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic 1600m: Form Guide
Back Me: Two horse race between the unbeaten fillies Tavy and Sardaaj. Leaning towards the former, who won over 1500m here on November 29, coming with a well timed to run to win and attack the line with real purpose. Has been a month between runs, so that’s the query, but she looks high class and appears to have more upside and brilliance than the other filly.
Big Danger: Sardaaj is two from two for Stephen Marsh. She burst through a gap early in the straight at Ruakaka on debut and bolted in, then went to Te Rapa, worked to the front and drew away again to win with ease. That last run was on November 8, but she did trial very well on December 16 at Te Rapa where she looked very forward. Expecting to her to roll to the lead and make Tavy earn the victory.
Roughie: Darci’s Dream hasn’t raced since finishing a length second to Platinum Witness in the Thousand Guineas at Riccarton where she attempted to lead all the way, a role which isn’t normally hers, so for her to set a strong speed and fight at the end was outstanding. She should get a dream sit off the speed here and could be the knockout runner if the other two aren’t at their best.
Click here for a $501 BONUS BET on Duke Of Tavy!
Race Eight (5:25pm) : Dunstan Feeds Championship Qualifier (85) 2100m: Form Guide
Back Me: Best bet on the card for me here in the shape of Rock Diva, who should win this and then perhaps win the Auckland Cup. She was brilliant without winning in three runs during the Brisbane Winter, including the Oaks and Derby. She spelled, trialled well, but resumed with an ordinary performance at Avondale, then was much better at Te Rapa when fourth to Pondarosa Miss. She is third up now, up to an ideal trip, drawn well, on the limit…just wins I think, and I think $4 is a steal.
Big Danger: Awesome Goal is a former Victorian who was formerly with Mike Moroney and is now with John Wheeler. The gelding strung together two wins on the bounce before having absolutely no luck at Te Rapa over 2400m when badly blocked behind tired runners and not being allowed to build up momentum. Don’t worry that Opie Bosson has elected to ride another mount, because he is a heavyweight rider and rarely gets down to 54.5kg.
Roughie: Loves The Show is a stablemate of Awesome Goal who has been excellent in three runs back from a break. He thundered home first up at Hawera, then was perhaps ridden a touch too close when third at Te Rapa, then went to Awapuni, was ridden cold and found the line much better when third to Maygrove. Fast tempo likely here, so that should really suit this gelding, and the stable is having a good run at the moment.
Click here for a $501 BONUS BET on Rock Diva!
Race Nine (6:05pm) : Zabeel Classic 2000m: Form Guide
Back Me: I think the way to go here, from a punting perspective, is clearly Veyron, who won this race in 2012. He has really found some of his best form at his past two outings, fighting hard when second over the mile here in the Eagle Technology Stakes to Sakhee’s Soldier, then went to Te Rapa and chased a hot speed with 61kg and an apprentice on board and ran fourth to Spin Doctor. Regular ride Rogan Norvall jumps back on, back to WFA, unbelievable record at Ellerslie, draws well and handles all conditions. At $12, he is an outstanding each-way bet.
Big Danger: The favourite for the race is Pondarosa Miss, the up and comer in the race, who was devastating in winning first up over the mile at Te Rapa, charging to the line from midfield and winning with ease and with plenty in reserve. Untried at 2000m, but gives the impression she will handle it and she has a lethal turn of foot, which can’t be said for most here.
Roughie: Puccini was coming to Australia for the Cox Plate after a dominant Metric Mile win, but failed badly and pulled up not 100% after the Livamol Classic. He was freshened up and won at Trentham before being a shade unlucky in the Captain Cook when second to Shuka. Up to 2000m now is perfect, and returns to the scene of his best win, the NZ Derby in March.
Click here for a $501 BONUS BET on Veyron!
Race Ten (6:45pm) : Auckland Co-Op Taxis 1400 (75) 1400m: Form Guide
Back Me: Close Up has raced here at all three runs this time in, winning two with a fifth in between. She showed a sharp turn of foot to win first up, then got too far back when fifth before bouncing back to the winners list in fine, thanks to a peach ride from Du Plessis. No issues IMO with her running 1400m thanks to the good gate, and looks the clear horse to beat here.
Big Danger: Sancerre was first up when getting badly held up and savaging the line late when second to Allez Eagle over 1200m here on December 6. She’ll only be improved by that outing, and despite being better over further, she does have a touch of class on her side and will prove tough to hold out.
Roughie: The Bold One kicked off his campaign with two easy wins at Otaki and Hastings respectively before going to Trentham and looked to lead all the way, but was nabbed in the last couple of strides by Cassie Annie. Gets some weight relief thanks to the claim, should press forward from the gate, and while this is his first run clockwise, he is in a very astute stable.
Click here for a $501 BONUS BET on Close Up!
DEPOSIT SMALL BET BIG
Special Offer 1: Deposit $30 BET with $130 – Sportingbet
Special Offer 2: Deposit $50 get a Bonus BET of $50 – Sportsbet
Special Offer 3: Deposit $25 BET with $100 – Ladbrokes (use code: TWT75FREE)
BEST BET: Race Eight Number 10 Rock Diva
NEXT BEST: Race Ten Number 4 Close Up
VALUE: Race Nine Number 3 Veyron
Quaddie Tips (Races Seven Through To Ten):
Leg One: 2, 3
Leg Two: 3, 5, 9, 10
Leg Three: 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14
Leg Four: 2, 3, 4, 5
$50 Investment= 22.32% of the dividend if successful.
We recommend BET365 for all Quadrella punters. BET365 guarantee the best value on all Quadrella’s as they pay out on the best tote, meaning you get the best dividend across VIC, NSW and TATTS on every meeting every day.
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
| Bookmaker | Why Bet | Sign Up | Full Review |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Back Yourself with Ladbrokes! | Join | Review |
|
Back a Winner with Neds! | Join | Review |
|
Sign up to Palmerbet and start betting in minutes! | Join | Review |
|
Sign up to swiftbet and start betting in minutes! | Join | Review |
|
Sign up to Unibet and start betting in minutes! | Join | Review |
|
Sign up to Dabble and start betting in minutes! | Join | Review |
|
Sign up to MyBet and start betting in minutes! | Join | Review |
