Pukekohe Park Picks

OPPENHEIMER has three placings from three runs this prep and in the money last start running second at Ellerslie, will take the power of beating. DUCHESS OF WAR placed when fresh and very well suited by good track, could threaten. RUE DE RIVOLI first-up after 20 week spell and generally strong first-up, needs the breaks. HE'S PLATINUM placed once this prep at Pukekohe Park and finished six lengths off the winner last start at Te Aroha, place chance.

MERCHANT QUEEN has shown early speed in races to date and Sam Spratt a bonus, key chance. PUKANA a winner at first outing this prep but faded to finish fifth last start at Ellerslie, include in exotics. GRANDE GALLO winner despite being unwanted in the betting last start at Ellerslie when resuming, capable of getting into the money with a bit of luck. JAFFIRA did nothing to threaten last start at Ellerslie when fresh and ran seventh at Pukekohe Park when last second-up, include in exotics.

PERFECT DIVIDENDS gave nothing else a chance to win last start to break maiden at Ruakaka and will likely lead/box seat, major contender. COLONEL WARDEN last start winner to break maiden at Arawa Park and draws to do no work, cannot be ruled out. FOXGLOVE only just missed in driving finish last start at Ellerslie when fresh and won at Matamata in only second-up attempt, not the worst. AMAZONIA has shown early speed in races to date and won once this prep at Arawa Park four runs back, place chance.

Can’t imagine one of the top two not winning. ALASKAN only just missed in driving finish last start at Tauranga and should run fitter for past attempts, one of the main hopes. SUPER FLY only just missed last start, finishing a neck back from the winner at Ruakaka and has two placings from four runs this prep, must be considered. TRUST ALONE finished four lengths off the winner last start at Taupo and up in trip, place claims. STAPHANOS QUEEN has two placings from four runs this prep and amongst the placegetters last start running third at Tauranga, needs the breaks.

PENMAN yet to miss the placegetters in two runs, well placed. CYPHER chased well to fall just short at only start at Taupo, looks threatening. FLANAGAN placed when fresh and finished midfield last start at Te Aroha, don't dismiss. LACHIE has two placings from four runs this prep and placed last start at Tauranga, could threaten.

COGNOSCENTI won last start to break maiden at Matamata and drawn perfectly, hard to go past. THIS TIME GIRL back from 13 week spell and coming off a win to break maiden at Ellerslie, the real danger in the race. FIRST DANCE loves a good track and should race just off the speed, in with a chance. HARD ROCA won once this prep at Te Aroha three runs back and ran five lengths back from the winner last start at Ellerslie, looks threatening.

INCREDIBLE coming off a win at Taupo, commands respect. CHARLBURY in strong form with two wins from five attempts this campaign and ran six lengths back from the winner last start at Ellerslie, each-way claims. ROEDERER finished sixth last start at Taupo and won once this prep at Ellerslie nine runs back, cannot be ruled out. PROCELLA coming off a win at Te Rapa and in strong form with two wins from four attempts this campaign, place best.

FIRST DANCE drawn perfectly and Warren Kennedy a bonus, has solid claims. DEALT WITH strong in winning at only start at Te Aroha and has the speed to overcome drawing the widest barrier, quinella. COINCIDENTAL a winner at first outing this prep but finished four lengths off the winner last start at Ellerslie, needs the breaks. SUMMERSTON bolted in last start to break maiden at Arawa Park and settles back, capable of getting into the money.