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The Group 2 New Zealand Bloodstock Wellington Guineas at Trentham on Saturday is a key race in the build up to the prestigious G1 NZ 2000 Guineas.
A race won last year by the Karaka graduate Barside (Tobugg), the NZB Wellington Guineas has been won by the likes of the dual Group 1 winning two-year-old Jokers Wild (Black Minnaloushe) and the promising young sire Darci Brahma (Danehill) who was the last horse to go on to win the NZ 2000 Guineas in 2005.
In a race that looks an open affair, the fillies come into the Group 2 with strong form. Karaka graduate Planet Rock (Fastnet Rock x Akris) was impressive when holding off the $1 million colt Rock 'n' Pop (Fastnet Rock) in her last start for trainers Peter & Dawn Williams.
A picture of consistency, her five starts have seen her finish no worse than third, and she was good enough to finish third in a hot Karaka Million field last season.
A dual stakes winner from only eight starts, the Karaka graduate Whoshe (NZ) (Storm Creek x Lesley Coup) has also beaten the boys during her smart career.
Trained by Richard Otto, the filly has not been far away in her last two starts, the Listed Soliloquy Stakes and the Group 2 Hawke's Bay Guineas, but will have to contend with the wide barrier of 11 on Saturday.
New Zealand Bloodstock graduate Micken (NZ) (Darci Brahma x Battocchi) won his debut as a two-year-old but has yet to take a race victory at three for trainer Kevin Myers.
Running behind the smart Ginner Hart (Volksraad) in Hawke's Bay fresh up, he ran sixth in the Listed Wanganui Guineas and second in his last start at Trentham and this race looks a good test for him.
A last start winner for Murray Baker, Lost World (NZ) (Elusive City x Zazonali) is a horse that has been progressing nicely in his racing and was heavily backed in Hawke's Bay where he broke his maiden paying $1.90.
A graduate of the Karaka Yearling Sales. he hasn't had the best of luck in his two prior starts where he placed behind Burgundy and fellow race runner Jetset Man earlier this month, and is one to keep a sharp eye on.
Baker will also saddle up Massive Night (NZ) (Hawkye x Hazynite) who dashed home in the final 200 metres to break her maiden in her second start earlier this month.
Ready to Run graduate Jetset Man (NZ) (Golan x Jetset Doll) for Jason Bridgman and President Lincoln (NZ) (O'Reilly x Pinot Gris) from Lisa Latta's yard were very impressive when taking their first race wins in just their second starts. This race will be a big step up in class for the pair but they have shown they are capable of putting in strong performances.
The Leo Molloy trained Duckworth Lewis (NZ) (Postponed x Ms Magenta) and Karaka graduate Distill (NZ) (Volksraad x Fairy Tipsy) from Roydon Bergerson's stables come into the race after being unplaced in black-type assignments in their last starts. Both were stakes placed as two-year-olds and have drawn well in one and four respectively.
Karaka graduate Release Me (NZ) (No Excuse Needed x La Pearl) comes into the race with a fresh up run under his belt for trainer Stephen McKee and will be looking to return to the form he displayed as an early two-year-old where he beat the talented Dowager Queen (Savabeel).
Jabez (NZ) (Sandtrap x La O'Real Sands) rounds off the field for trainer James Phillips and comes into the Group 2 as a maiden, being run down at his last start at Trentham earlier this month.
