DERBY DAY AT ELLERSLIE

Auckland Racing Club at Ellerslie (Derby Day)

As on Friday 2 March the conditions were: showery and Dead4, rail true. No rain forecast Saturday.

2.20 p.m. R4 8 Ruby Armani (5 m Makfi – Trujillo, by Saint Ballado) – Jake Bayliss; received an economical trip, midfield inner, before being blocked in the straight last Saturday in the Rating 75 1400 metres at Matamata. She recently recorded back-to-back wins, including the Rating 85 1400 metres here on 14 January, and given that performance should be included in calculations for the $50,000 Rating 85 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $6.80 & $2.20.

3.30 p.m. R6 8 Bridal Veil (3 f Niagara – Eye Me Up, by Agnes World) – Jake Bayliss; warrants her place in the $60,000 Mufhasa Fasttrack Stakes (Listed, 1300m), after a strong win in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 2 February at Matamata. While facing a considerable rise in class, her two race day outings show that she is made of the right stuff and a cheeky performance could unfold with luck from barrier nine. Fixed odds: $31.00 & $5.50.

5.20 p.m. R9 3 On the Rocks (3 c Alamosa – Cold Shoulder, by Volksraad) – Jake Bayliss; recorded a special victory in the Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m) here on Slow8 a fortnight ago, with Bayliss aboard, and current third favourite in the $1m Vodafone New Zealand Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), a race the stable has won three times: Great Command, Cut the Cake, and Xcellent. Ideally drawn (4), from the family of Melbourne Cup winner Efficient (Zabeel), he has stoutness on his dam side to help get the trip and co-trainer Pam Gerard got her wish for both better draw and footing. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.25.