Racing writer Jonny Turner previews the races that will have southern racing fans enthralled over the next two days.
Summer Cup at Addington, 8.21pm tonight.
What a ripping free-for-all contest. And a really tricky one to try to work out.
Ultimate Machete is the class horse of the field, but faces a massive test from his wide draw over 1980m.
He faces tough competition from stablemate Funatthebeach, and five runners from the Dunn stable. They are headed by Henry Hubert, who trialled really well recently.
An impossible race to predict, but it should be brilliant to watch.
NZ Standardbred Breeders Stakes, 9.21pm tonight.
The burning question for many punters is which version of the glamour pairing of Elle Mac and Dream About Me will turn up.
To me, it almost not worth asking, despite their poor showings at Addington two weeks ago.
All Stars horses rarely go two bad races in a row and I think they will be spot on tonight.
I have Elle Mac winning and Dream About Me running second.
Southland Stakes, Ascot Park, 3.02pm tomorrow.
This is a really intriguing race. Horses with 1200m form meet those with 1400m and 1600m form on the tricky Ascot Park track.
The John and Karen Parsons stable looks to have the best mix of those credentials.
Kiwi Ida failed to run out a strong 1600m at Wingatui last weekend, but the 1400m here is right up her alley.
Tomm Jones has been flying lately and is probably not as susceptible to bad luck as his stablemate.
Local hopes are headed by tough and versatile sprinter Accidental Offside, who was massive in the White Robe Lodge Weight-For-Age.
Avondale Guineas, Ellerslie, 3.22pm tomorrow.
This is a key leadup to the rich New Zealand Derby.
I am intruiged to see how Chris Waller's pair of Nobu and Boti perform. The draws are against them, but I would expect them to be prominent.
New Zealand hopes are headed by Cutadeel and Surely Sacred.
Southland Guineas, Ascot Park, 3.39pm tomorrow.
The Ascot Park track and recent history is against Air Max who is seeking a guineas treble. Though he is clearly very good, that does not mean he is first past the post for me.
Upscale was massive in running second to him at Wingatui and surely must get a better run tomorrow.
Weaponry deserves more good luck than he had in his past two guineas races and will be dangerous if he gets it.
Invercargill Gold Cup, Ascot Park, 4.14pm tomorrow.
It is hard to look at any horse other than Orepuki Lad. He was brilliant in the Dunedin Gold Cup against a stronger field.
There are big queries on how some of his opponents will handle 2600m, which only strengthens his case.
Springbank Handicap Trot, Oamaru, 5.47pm tomorrow.
This is clearly the best race at the grass-track meeting.
Handicaps in 2000m standing start races can be nightmares for backmarkers. That is where the best form is, with 20m marker Time For Diamonds and 10m marker We'll Meet Again.
The Phil Williamson pairing of Sam Galleon and Springbank Lachie have not been setting the world on fire recently. However that is a rarity for Williamson trotters and they could turn things around.
One Over Dover could be hard to catch off the front mark.
Apollo Stakes, Randwick, 5.50pm tomorrow.
Do not miss the return to racing of wonder mare Winx.
She will grace the Randwick turf for what is expected to be the start of her swansong campaign.
The tidy field she meets is lengths better than some of the rubbish she trounced in the spring. It should not affect the result, though.
Go you good thing.
Chariots Of Fire, Menangle, 11.50pm tomorrow.
Four New Zealanders will start in this epic clash of 4yr-olds in Chase Auckland, All U Need Is Faith, Hail Christian and Ashley Locaz.
They have a big fight on their hands in the form of star Australian Ignatius.
Poster Boy will also be hard for the New Zealanders to hold out.
Enjoy the weekend.
Happy trails.
