Ruakākā Race 1
1 Domain Ace
First-up run behind Savaglee and Super Photon at Taupo was just okay, where he looked to be left flat-footed and couldn't make up any ground on the leaders in what was only a slowly run race. I'd hope in this small field, a field much weaker than anything he has faced his past few, that they'll roll forward and set the others the task of running him down. If he finds anything close to the form he showed as a 2yo he would be winning this.

Ruakākā Race 2
7 Arabella
Locally trained mare who looks a leading chance in what is a very moderate maiden field. She showed good improvement when running a much closer 4th last start. Gets 3kg off her back with Ngakau Hailey's claim. Happy to be with her in an open race.

Ruakākā Race 3
8 Customized
Very intriguing runner over from Australia and now in the care of Steven Cole, having previously been in the care of the Snowdens. While he hasn't had any public trials leading into this first run in NZ, he should be carrying residual fitness as he last raced in mid-July. He didn't show much early speed in Australia, Interestingly, he was beaten 2.9L into 3rd place on debut behind the boom colt, Storm Boy. Customized better Australian runs would see him hard to beat here.

Ruakākā Race 4
6 Shoes
Tip of The Day
Very keen to be with Shoes dropping back to 1100m and back on a firmer surface. The wide draw (12) doesn't concern me, I think she can burn these off and find the front under Triston Moodley. Should prove very hard to run down.

Ruakākā Race 5
3 Bosch
Built nicely to a much deserved win last start here over 2100m. I expect he can roll forward and find a position close to the speed from his wide gate (8) under Kelly Myers. While Mahrajaan is the class runner of the field, I think Bosch looks very well placed on the minimum to go back-to-back at his local track.

Ruakākā Race 6
11 No Plan Be
I think this mare will be well suited getting back on to firmer surface here. Each of her runs prior on better footing had enough merit to suggest she could be very competitive in what looks a moderate R65 field. She looks a solid each way prospect in an open race.

Ruakākā Race 7
8 Terra Mitica
She is a staying mare resuming over 1400m, which is the reason we're getting double figures about her here. She comes into this off the back of an impressive trial win on the Cambridge Synthetic, which was her first public appearance since the Auckland Cup in March. Last campaign, Terra Mitica was first-up over 1400m also and she put up a figure that would be very competitive in this. She will likely be getting back in this field, look for her to be running on hard late.

Ruakākā Race 8
3 Tide And Time
Very good effort for 2nd here last start behind race rival, Awhina, having won her two starts prior at this course/distance. She'll likely drop back near enough to last, in a race that looks to have much more speed engaged than what she was served up last start. With a genuine tempo and even luck in running, she looks hard to beat here.

Ruakākā Race 9
1 Prometheus
Super effort first-up here over 1400m, where he was steaming through the line late. His trial prior behind Merchant Queen and co. had suggested he has returned in good order this campaign. He will have derived natural improvement from that resuming effort and the additional 200m will only work in his favour.