Stephen Marsh believes the El Vencedor that is heading to Hastings for Saturday’s Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) is barely recognisable as the same horse that has competed during the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival in previous seasons.

Skew Wiff’s quest to double her winning tally at the highest level hasn’t been helped at Hastings by an awkward gate.

Saturday will mark the return of racing to Ellerslie Racecourse and last season’s New Zealand Champion Three-Year-Old Orchestral.

Lance Noble is keen to test the versatility of his well-performed sprinter-miler Habana this preparation.

Well-bred filly Sister Cynane promises to continue Wexford Stables’ successful partnership with the three-year-old’s owner.

Stephen Marsh may have temporarily lost the services of his star youngster Velocious, but he still has enough firepower to be a major force to be reckoned with in upcoming age group features.

Tony Pike’s team of horses were airborne on the good track at Hastings last Saturday and the Cambridge horseman was pleased to return to Ellerslie with a similarly positive report following trials held at the venue on Tuesday.

Levin trainer Josh Shaw is daring to dream with Faraglioni this spring following her eye-catching runner-up effort in Saturday’s Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings.

Progressive sprinter Navigator produced one of the standout performances of the meeting at Hastings on Saturday, continuing his formidable fresh-up record in the Vet Services Equine Hawke’s Bay Premier (1200m).

While top honours did not go the way of Savaglee in Saturday’s Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m), Pam Gerard took plenty of positives from the performance of her colt as he heads towards loftier targets.

The rapid rise of Alabama Lass continued on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival on Saturday, the filly putting on a stellar display to win the Gr.3 HBPB Thoroughbred Breeders’ Gold Trail Stakes (1200m).

Ken and Bev Kelso are no strangers to big-race success during the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival, and the Matamata trainers will attempt to add another Hastings trophy to their collection when Alabama Lass steps out as favourite in Saturday’s Gr.3 HBPB Thoroughbred Breeders Gold Trail Stakes (1200m).

Nearly two decades following his first success in the Tarzino Trophy (1400m), Andrew Scott will be hunting for his third scalp in the Group One feature.

Group One performer Archaic Smile has taken significant benefit from her first-up outing and another top showing is expected from the filly at Hastings.