Phar Lap

Saturday, December 27, 2025Flat1m2fSoft

Verdict

ROSSO (1) tried hard and was brave in defeat when finishing fourth at Trentham just over 3 weeks ago. He was a huge winner at Riccarton on a heavy track before that, and he should be too good here. CALIFORNIA GOLD (5) flew home from near last when scoring as the favourite by nearly 2 lengths here just over 5 weeks ago. He stays in the same grade, and with only 2kg extra kilos to carry, he is the main danger to the top pick. MALFY ROSA (6) has looked a lot better in her last couple of starts and was unsuited by the poly track at Riccarton last time out. She prefers the turf and can figure in the top 3 this time. Stick with her. PEECEE PUSSYCAT (2) is the likely leader here and will try to turn it into a staying test from the half-mile. He will take some pegging back again. IFFIN DOUBT DANCE (7) bounced back into form when finishing third at Ascot Park just over a fortnight ago. She has won her only start here and should be right in the finish again. Include in all top 4 combos.

1. Rosso
5. California Gold
6. Malfy Rosa

Win Only

1. 1. Rosso
J: TRISTON MOODLEYT: MICHAEL & MATTHEW PITMAN
F: x1414
Price History:
1.90
Age:
4
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
76
Days Since Last Run:
22
Verdict
Racing well recently. At the latest run 4th of 17 at Trentham on December 6 over 2100m, on a slow track; 2.25 len behind Crackercol carrying 60.5kg at $5.40. The run before that came from midfield and won by 5.5 len at Riccarton Park November 15 over 2600m in the wet defeating Moussaieff with 54kg at $1.90. Encouraging effort last start. Likely to feature.
7. 7. Iffin Doubt Dance
J: GOSEN JOGOOT: SAMANTHA WYNNE
F: x1303
Price History:
6.50
Age:
7
Weight:
1-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
70
Days Since Last Run:
15
Verdict
At the latest run 3rd of 11 at Ascot Park on December 13 over 2200m, on a slow track; 0.9 len behind Par Tee carrying 54kg at $30.20. The run before that 11th of 15 at Riccarton Park on November 15 over 1600m, on heavy track; 10 len behind Island Hop with 53kg at $19.30. Has to be carefully considered.
2. 2. Peecee Pussycat
J: AMBER RIDDELLT: SAMANTHA WYNNE
F: 47263
Price History:
7.50
Age:
8
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
75
Days Since Last Run:
23
Verdict
Most recently 3rd of 7 at Riccarton Park Synthetic on December 5 over 2100m, 4 len behind He's A Battler carrying 56.5kg at $4.10. Before that 6th of 11 at Cromwell on November 30 over 2030m, 2.25 len behind Peachy Keen carrying 52kg at $12.10. Rates highly and is worth including.
4. 4. Koyama
J: FLOOR MOERMANT: LEN & LACY STEWART
F: l0670
Price History:
8.00
Age:
5
Weight:
1-12
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
71
Days Since Last Run:
43
Verdict
Comes off a 43 day let-up. Last start 14th of 18 at Riccarton Park in the G3 New Zealand Cup on November 15 over 3200m, on a wet track; 26 len behind Bozo carrying 54kg at $96. The race before that got back early 7th of 13 at Riccarton Park in the LR Metropolitan Hcp on November 8 over 2600m, 10 len behind Just Charlie with 53kg at $55. Prefer in something easier.
3. 3. Star Ballot
J: BRETT MURRAYT: MICHAEL & MATTHEW PITMAN
F: 07350
Price History:
8.50
Age:
7
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
75
Days Since Last Run:
43
Verdict
Returns from a 43-day let-up. Last start 16th of 18 at Riccarton Park in the G3 New Zealand Cup on November 15 over 3200m, on rain affected going; 32 len behind Bozo carrying 54kg at $57.20. Before that 5th of 13 at Riccarton Park in the LR Metropolitan Hcp on November 8 over 2600m, 5 len behind Just Charlie carrying 54kg at $22.40. Rates highly on best efforts and can break back into the winners' list.
5. 5. California Gold
J: LEAH HEMIT: VIRGINIA MACKLE
F: 14491
Price History:
11.00
Age:
6
Weight:
1-12
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
70
Days Since Last Run:
39
Verdict
Comes here off a 39-day let-up. Most recently favourite; won by 1.75 len at this track November 19 over 2200m defeating Cosmetic Virtue carrying 55.5kg at $3. The run before that raced behind the speed prior to fading second last of 10 at Riccarton Park on November 15 over 2600m, on a wet track; 28 len behind Rosso with 54kg at $22.50. Top chance to salute again.
6. 6. Malfy Rosa
J: COREY CAMPBELLT: JOHN BLACKADDER
F: 85834
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
1-12
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
72
Days Since Last Run:
23
Verdict
Racing well recently. At the latest run 4th of 7 at Riccarton Park Synthetic on December 5 over 2100m, 13 len behind He's A Battler with 54.5kg at $10.10. The run before that rolled along in front before being edged out 3rd of 13 at this track on November 19 over 2200m, 2 len behind California Gold with 53.5kg at $18.80. Terrific chance to return to form.
10. 10. Sauvage
J: KATE HERCOCKT: SARAH & MATTHEW SMITH
F: 00405
Price History:
17.00
Age:
6
Weight:
1-10
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
60
Days Since Last Run:
30
Verdict
Comes off a 30 day let-up. Last start 5th of 11 at Cromwell on November 28 over 2030m, on a slow track; 5.5 len behind Goddess with 58kg at $7.30. Before that got back early 11th of 15 at Riccarton Park on November 15 over 2000m, on rain affected going; 21 len behind Bundy with 58.5kg at $18.70. Will be harder to beat this time.
9. 9. Franni Caccini
J: KENDRA BAKKERT: KENNY MOORE
F: 86x05
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
1-10
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
62
Days Since Last Run:
23
Verdict
Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up second last of 13 at this track on November 19 over 2200m, 11 len behind California Gold with 54kg at $19.60. Second run from a spell 5th of 7 at Riccarton Park Synthetic on December 5 over 2100m, 16 len behind He's A Battler with 54kg at $20.70. Has ability but needs to lift.

Non-Runners

8. 8. Sincere
J: -T: ANDREW CARSTON
F: 95x74
Price History:
15.00
Age:
6
Weight:
1-10
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
63
Days Since Last Run:
28
Verdict
Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 7th of 14 at this track on November 19 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind My Boy Zac with 56.5kg at $26.80. Last start 4th of 11 at Cromwell on November 30 over 2030m, 3 len behind Esperimento with 56kg at $22.50. Don't underestimate.

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