Awapuni Synthetic Race 5

COURTESY FORD MANAWATU 1000

Stake: $17,000

MERCHANT BANKER (4) ran along too keenly here second up a month ago, and after being headed, he fought back gamely to finish runner-up. He drops back from 1200m to 1000m, and with the aid of a superior gate, he is all set to take them all the way. TORONTO (6) has been given a lot of time to mature before making his debut. He won the latest of his 2 trials this year by a wide margin, and is the main threat to the top pick, especially from the pole position. PLEASING (2) finished fourth at Tauranga in a tougher field just over 6 weeks ago and will be having her first start on a poly track this year. She benefits from a 2kg claim and is sure to make her presence felt again. Include in all multiples. GOOD CRAIC (3) won't lack fitness and will be hoping to bounce back into some good form after a couple of modest recent efforts on wet turf tracks. Stick with her for all combinations. PLATINUM DESIGNS (1) has been holding his form on this surface, and another honest effort is on the cards.

Distance: 1000m
Class: Rating 69 BM*
Track: Synthetic
Weather: Fine
Surface: Synthetic

Rail Position: True | 7mm Rain Last 24 Hours | 14mm Rain Last 7 Days

Racing and Sports™ Trusted form provider for 20+ years

Platinum Designs (6) 32143
Trainer: Lisa Latta (Awapuni)
Jockey: Liam Kauri (a3)(Last 50: 3-4-6)
Weight: 60kg
Prize Money: $63,755
Win / Place: 10% / 39%

4 yo Brown Gelding

Sire: U S Navy Flag

Dam: The Tailors Niece

Dam's Sire: Showcasing

Owners: K T J Dixon & N J Mcalister

Rating

Stats

Career

28: 3-4-4

Distance

5: 2-1-2

Trk/Dst

3: 1-0-2

Track

5: 1-1-2

1st Up

4: 0-0-1

2nd Up

4: 0-0-0

3rd Up

2: 0-1-0

4th Up

2: 0-0-1

Good

6: 0-3-1

Soft

14: 2-0-1

Heavy

3: 0-0-0

Synthetic

5: 1-1-2

Anti-Clockwise

28: 3-4-4

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

0: 0-0-0

Last 50

50: 3-4-6

Trainer

N/A

Distance

N/A

Track

N/A

Trainer/Track

N/A

Trainer/Distance

N/A

Distance Range Last 6 months

1000m - 1200m

Gear Changes

[Approved Plates, Blinkers, Lugging Bit]

Comments

Dual acceptor. Form hard to fault. Last start 3rd of 9 at this track on July 17 over 1000m, 3.5 len behind Cosentino with 54kg at $7.90. The start before that 4th of 9 at this track on July 4 over 1200m, 2.75 len behind Bee Enchanted with 59.5kg at $9.60. Going well. Hard to fault if at his best.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Last 600m	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
3rd of 9	17/7/25	ASYN	1000m	Rating 90 HC	4	Kate Hercock	54kg	Synthetic	0:56.84	63.3 km/h	0.33.60	3.60L	-	$7.90	13	$17,000	$1,530	1. Cosentino 2. Ka Ying Lucky 3. Platinum Designs
4th of 9	4/7/25	ASYN	1200m	Rating 69 HC	4	Kate Hercock	59.5kg	Synthetic	1:10.51	61.3 km/h	0.34.89	2.80L	-	$9.60	12	$17,000	$850	1. Bee Enchanted 2. Gohugo 3. Kereti
1st of 7	22/6/25	ASYN	1000m	Rating 73 HC	1	Kate Hercock	56.5kg	Synthetic	0:57.58	62.5 km/h	0.33.71	0.30L	-	$4.40	14	$17,000	$9,520	1. Platinum Designs 2. Cosentino 3. Showbastian Coe
2nd of 10	8/6/25	ASYN	1200m	Rating 77 HC	10	Kate Hercock	55.5kg	Synthetic	1:09.93	61.8 km/h	0.34.71	1.10L	-	$16	14	$17,000	$3,060	1. Cosentino 2. Platinum Designs 3. Ardee Boy
3rd of 7	25/5/25	ASYN	1000m	Rating 72 HC	7	Bruno Queiroz	55.5kg	Synthetic	0:58.63	61.4 km/h	0.33.50	1.40L	-	$12	19	$17,000	$1,530	1. Party Rocking 2. Showbastian Coe 3. Platinum Designs
6th of 11	6/5/25	HAWE	1200m	Rating 65 BM	1	Jonathan Riddell	58.5kg	Soft 5	1:12.54	59.6 km/h	0.35.59	3.50L	-	$6.90	24	$17,000	$340	1. Pleasing 2. Violetsrblue 3. Linara

Pleasing (7) 52124
Trainer: Mike Breslin (Awapuni)
Jockey: Amber Riddell (a2)(Last 50: 7-3-8)
Weight: 58kg
Prize Money: $41,050
Win / Place: 22% / 55%

3 yo Bay Filly

Sire: Russian Revolution

Dam: Happy Street

Dam's Sire: Street Cry

Owners: M P Breslin & R W Potter

Rating

Stats

Career

9: 2-3-0

Distance

1: 0-0-0

Track

2: 1-1-0

1st Up

2: 0-0-0

2nd Up

2: 1-1-0

3rd Up

2: 1-1-0

4th Up

2: 0-1-0

Good

1: 0-0-0

Soft

4: 1-1-0

Heavy

2: 0-1-0

Synthetic

2: 1-1-0

Clockwise

1: 0-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

8: 2-3-0

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 1-1-0

Last 50

50: 7-3-8

Trainer

N/A

Distance

N/A

Track

N/A

Trainer/Track

N/A

Trainer/Distance

N/A

Distance Range Last 6 months

1000m - 1200m

Gear Changes

[Approved Plates, Ear Covers Pre-Race, Tongue Control Bit]

Comments

Form hard to fault. Comes here off a 43-day let-up. Last start 4th in a small field at Tauranga on June 21 over 1200m, in the wet; 7 len behind Honey Badger carrying 54kg at $6.20. The run before that 2nd in a small field at Te Rapa on May 31 over 1100m, on a wet track; 1.75 len behind Tristar with 53.5kg at $9.20. Sure to be thereabouts.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Last 600m	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 6	21/6/25	TAUR	1200m	3YO SW+P	1	Rihaan Goyaram	54kg	Heavy 10	1:16.49	56.5 km/h	0.40.89	7.60L	-	$6.20	21	$35,000	$1,750	1. Honey Badger 2. Beau Miller 3. Macallan
2nd of 5	31/5/25	TE R	1100m	3YO SW+P	2	Rihaan Goyaram	53.5kg	Heavy 10	1:06.63	59.4 km/h	0.35.59	1.80L	-	$9.20	25	$35,000	$6,475	1. Tristar 2. Pleasing 3. Honey Badger
1st of 11	6/5/25	HAWE	1200m	Rating 65 BM	7	Amber Riddell	55kg	Soft 5	1:12.54	59.6 km/h	0.35.62	1.80L	-	$4.00	31	$17,000	$9,520	1. Pleasing 2. Violetsrblue 3. Linara
31 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 9	5/4/25	WGUI	1200m	Rating 65 BM	1	Amber Riddell	54kg	Soft 7	1:13.57	58.7 km/h	0.37.33	2.80L	-	$8.20	28	$40,000	$7,400	1. Cooper 2. Pleasing 3. La Dulcin'ee
5th of 8	8/3/25	NPLY	1000m	Rating 65 BM	2	Jim Chung	55kg	Soft 5	0:58.71	61.3 km/h	0.35.33	2.20L	-	$4.20	182	$40,000	$1,000	1. Beast Of Burden 2. Happy Mission 3. Slippery
182 Day Spell
1st of 3	25/2/25	WPKU	850m	Trial	2	Jim Chung	-	Soft 5	0:49.59	61.7 km/h	-	0.25L	-	-	-	-	-	1. Pleasing 2. Party Rocking 3. Meritable

Good Craic (5) 22245
Trainer: Lisa Latta (Awapuni)
Jockey: Kavish Chowdhoory (Last 50: 7-5-7)
Weight: 54kg
Prize Money: $30,970
Win / Place: 0% / 45%

4 yo Bay Mare

Sire: Per Incanto

Dam: Just Irish

Dam's Sire: O'Reilly

Owners: G J Mcnae, T & C Scott, J & R Williams, B Dunlop, T Behrns, K Brown, S Ryan, A Collett, B Bird, D Atkinson, G Barkla, J Crone, S Jennings, B Christopher, K Attrill & D Campbell, M & F Fearon, M & C Fergus

Rating

Stats

Career

20: 0-5-4

Distance

3: 0-1-0

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Track

3: 0-0-1

1st Up

3: 0-1-1

2nd Up

3: 0-0-1

3rd Up

2: 0-0-1

4th Up

2: 0-0-1

Good

4: 0-0-1

Soft

8: 0-2-2

Heavy

5: 0-3-0

Synthetic

3: 0-0-1

Anti-Clockwise

20: 0-5-4

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 0-1-0

Last 50

50: 7-5-7

Trainer

N/A

Distance

N/A

Track

N/A

Trainer/Track

N/A

Trainer/Distance

N/A

Distance Range Last 6 months

1000m - 1300m

Gear Changes

[Approved Plates, Lugging Bit]

Comments

Last start 5th of 12 at Hawera on July 15 over 1200m, on rain affected going; 9 len behind Stewart with 54.5kg at $5.50. The start before that 4th of 10 at Otaki on June 20 over 1200m, on a wet track; 6 len behind Tolstoy with 54.5kg at $4.10. Worth following up.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Last 600m	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
5th of 12	15/7/25	HAWE	1200m	MDN 2YO&UP	2	Amber Riddell	54.5kg	Heavy 10	1:18.25	55.2 km/h	0.39.83	9.40L	-	$5.50	25	$20,000	$400	1. Stewart 2. Classy Brahma 3. Aliyana Belle
4th of 10	20/6/25	OTAK	1200m	MDN 2YO&UP	4	Amber Riddell	54.5kg	Heavy 10	1:18.81	54.8 km/h	0.40.75	6.30L	-	$4.10	13	$17,000	$850	1. Tolstoy 2. Boy 3. Bolt
2nd of 10	7/6/25	TREN	1200m	MDN 2YO&UP	7	Amber Riddell	54.5kg	Heavy 10	1:15.58	57.2 km/h	0.39.24	0.50L	-	$5.40	20	$20,000	$3,600	1. Luminance 2. Good Craic 3. Tolstoy
2nd of 11	18/5/25	HAWE	1200m	MDN 2YO&UP	7	Amber Riddell	53.5kg	Heavy 10	1:15.21	57.4 km/h	0.37.17	1.80L	-	$9.20	18	$17,000	$3,060	1. War Queen 2. Good Craic 3. Our Akashinga
2nd of 13	30/4/25	WDVL	1200m	MDN	5	Kavish Chowdhoory	56.5kg	Heavy 8	1:13.00	59.2 km/h	0.35.45	1.00L	-	$7.30	18	$17,000	$3,060	1. Oscar 2. Good Craic 3. Charming Emperor
4th of 14	12/4/25	TREN	1000m	MDN 2YO&UP	2	Kavish Chowdhoory	56.5kg	Soft 5	0:57.42	62.7 km/h	0.32.90	1.80L	-	$13	17	$20,000	$1,000	1. Sharp Enough 2. Fawnzor 3. Wild Thyme

Merchant Banker (3) 27X92
Trainer: Gavin Sharrock (Stratford)
Jockey: Jim Chung (a2)(Last 50: 7-6-3)
Weight: 54kg
Prize Money: $20,055
Win / Place: 0% / 75%

3 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Ten Sovereigns

Dam: Twinkles

Dam's Sire: Rip Van Winkle

Owners: G R O'Dea

100

Rating

Stats

Career

8: 0-4-2

Track

2: 0-2-0

1st Up

2: 0-1-0

2nd Up

2: 0-2-0

3rd Up

1: 0-0-1

4th Up

1: 0-0-1

Good

1: 0-0-1

Soft

3: 0-1-1

Heavy

2: 0-1-0

Synthetic

2: 0-2-0

Anti-Clockwise

8: 0-4-2

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 0-1-0

Last 50

50: 7-6-3

Trainer

N/A

Distance

N/A

Track

N/A

Trainer/Track

N/A

Trainer/Distance

N/A

Distance Range Last 6 months

1200m

Gear Changes

[Approved Plates, Boots, Lugging Bit, Nose Band]

Comments

Dual acceptor. Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up 9th of 11 at Hawera on May 18 over 1200m, on rain affected going; 12 len behind War Queen with 58.5kg at $5.50. Second run from a spell 2nd of 11 at this track on July 4 over 1200m, 0.8 len behind Sam's Turn with 56.5kg at $4.20. Expected to be the one to beat.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Last 600m	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 11	4/7/25	ASYN	1200m	Rating 57 HC	11	Jim Chung	56.5kg	Synthetic	1:11.66	60.3 km/h	0.35.70	0.80L	-	$4.20	47	$17,000	$3,060	1. Sam's Turn 2. Merchant Banker 3. Sunshine Ale
47 Day Freshen-Up
9th of 11	18/5/25	HAWE	1200m	MDN 2YO&UP	3	Bridget Grylls	58.5kg	Heavy 10	1:15.21	57.4 km/h	0.39.23	12.80L	-	$4.20	177	$17,000	$340	1. War Queen 2. Good Craic 3. Our Akashinga
177 Day Spell
7th of 9	22/11/24	NPLY	1400m	MDN 3YO	8	Joe Doyle	57.5kg	Soft 6	1:24.67	59.5 km/h	0.36.86	7.70L	-	$5.00	16	$25,000	$375	1. Sicillian 2. Only The Lonely 3. Stewart
2nd of 9	6/11/24	NPLY	1400m	MDN 3YO	1	Ciel Butler	55.5kg	Soft 7	1:25.76	58.8 km/h	0.36.53	1.50L	-	$2.70	12	$18,500	$3,330	1. Leica Lucy 2. Merchant Banker 3. Cotton Roca
3rd of 10	25/10/24	NPLY	1200m	MDN	9	Joe Doyle	56kg	Soft 5	1:10.90	60.9 km/h	0.35.67	3.00L	-	$4.40	20	$18,500	$1,665	1. Miss Bo Peep 2. Pollyisacracker 3. Merchant Banker
3rd of 10	5/10/24	HAWE	1200m	3YO HCP	9	Joe Doyle	56kg	Good 4	1:11.36	60.5 km/h	0.34.20	2.80L	-	$7.30	21	$40,000	$3,600	1. Connello 2. Wire Rope 3. Merchant Banker

Just A Drop (4) 33568
Trainer: Peter Fitzgerald (Otaki)
Jockey: Crystal Lindsay (a3)(Last 50: 1-5-2)
Weight: 54kg
Prize Money: $12,826
Win / Place: 0% / 18%

5 yo Bay Mare

Sire: Benfica

Dam: Fair Honour

Dam's Sire: Kempinsky

Owners: Pete Fitzgerald, Dan Borthwick & Mike Fitzgerald

Rating

Stats

Career

16: 0-1-2

Distance

2: 0-0-1

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-1

Track

4: 0-0-2

1st Up

2: 0-0-0

2nd Up

2: 0-0-0

3rd Up

2: 0-0-0

4th Up

2: 0-1-0

Good

7: 0-0-0

Soft

3: 0-1-0

Heavy

2: 0-0-0

Synthetic

4: 0-0-2

Anti-Clockwise

12: 0-1-2

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

3: 0-1-0

Last 50

50: 1-5-2

Trainer

N/A

Distance

N/A

Track

N/A

Trainer/Track

N/A

Trainer/Distance

N/A

Distance Range Last 6 months

1000m - 1600m

Gear Changes

[Approved Plates, Lugging Bit]

Comments

At the latest run sat behind the speed prior to fading second last of 9 at this track on July 17 over 1400m, 8 len behind Our Akashinga with 54.5kg at $19.60. Before that 6th of 11 at this track on July 4 over 1200m, 4.5 len behind Sam's Turn carrying 57kg at $12.60. Has some rough place claims.

Expected Settling Position: Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Last 600m	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
8th of 9	17/7/25	ASYN	1400m	Rating 59 HC	8	Ashvin Mudhoo	54.5kg	Synthetic	1:23.34	60.5 km/h	0.37.00	8.80L	-	$20	13	$17,000	$340	1. Our Akashinga 2. Navy Icon 3. Imani
6th of 11	4/7/25	ASYN	1200m	Rating 57 HC	10	Ashvin Mudhoo	57kg	Synthetic	1:11.66	60.3 km/h	0.35.65	4.60L	-	$13	14	$17,000	$340	1. Sam's Turn 2. Merchant Banker 3. Sunshine Ale
5th of 10	20/6/25	OTAK	1200m	MDN 2YO&UP	8	Ashvin Mudhoo	56.5kg	Heavy 10	1:18.81	54.8 km/h	0.40.76	9.60L	-	$19	12	$17,000	$340	1. Tolstoy 2. Boy 3. Bolt
3rd of 8	8/6/25	ASYN	1200m	MDN	3	Ashvin Mudhoo	56.5kg	Synthetic	1:10.81	61.0 km/h	0.35.38	4.20L	-	$8.30	14	$17,000	$1,530	1. Exaggeration 2. Jabeur 3. Just A Drop
3rd of 8	25/5/25	ASYN	1000m	Rating 57 HC	9	Ashvin Mudhoo	55kg	Synthetic	0:59.51	60.5 km/h	0.34.19	2.60L	-	$15	8	$17,000	$1,530	1. Ka Ying Lucky 2. Bodacious Kate 3. Just A Drop
8th of 14	17/5/25	TREN	1600m	MDN 2YO&UP	2	Ashvin Mudhoo	56.5kg	Soft 6	1:38.29	58.6 km/h	0.37.86	8.70L	-	$37	49	$20,000	$400	1. Mohi Place 2. Ella Kate 3. Melkor
49 Day Freshen-Up

Toronto (1)
Trainer: Kevin & Stephen Gray (Copper Belt Lodge, Palmerston North)
Jockey: Bruno Queiroz (Last 50: 11-7-5)
Weight: 54kg
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 0% / 0%

Jockey Flying

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Vancouver

Dam: Grasslands

Dam's Sire: Snitzel

Owners: Lim Siah Mong & Paul Hickman

Stats

Career

0: 0-0-0

Synthetic

0: 0-0-0

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

0: 0-0-0

Last 50

50: 11-7-5

Trainer

W 53% P 80%

Distance

W 20% P 49%

Track

W 34% P 73%

Trainer/Track

W 70% P 100%

Trainer/Distance

W 66% P 100%

Gear Changes

[Approved Plates, Ear Covers Pre-Race, Lugging Bit]

Comments

Four-year-old gelding making debut by Vancouver out of Grasslands. Purchased for NZD $ 125,000 (NZB 2022 Ready to Run Sale). Won a trial over 850m at Foxton on July 22. Looks all set to run well.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 7	22/7/25	FOXT	850m	Trial	7	Bruno Queiroz	-	Heavy 9	0:53.60	57.1 km/h	4L	-	-	-	-	-	1. Toronto 2. Zashubo 3. Lucky Penny
2nd of 7	24/6/25	FOXT	850m	Trial	2	Bruno Queiroz	-	Heavy 10	0:54.78	55.9 km/h	0.5L	-	-	-	-	-	1. Rich Attitude 2. Toronto 3. Ivy Time

Place

Date

Track

Distance

Class

Barrier

Jockey

Weight

Cond.

Race Time

Avg. Speed

Margin

800/400

Days

Prize

Prize Won

Result

1st of 7

22/7/25

FOXT

850m

Trial

Bruno Queiroz

Heavy 9

0:53.60

57.1 km/h

1. Toronto

2. Zashubo

3. Lucky Penny

2nd of 7

24/6/25

FOXT

850m

Trial

Bruno Queiroz

Heavy 10

0:54.78

55.9 km/h

0.5L

1. Rich Attitude

2. Toronto

3. Ivy Time

Centrefold (2) 88
Trainer: David Jensen (Foxton)
Jockey: Toni Davies (a2)(Last 50: 5-6-5)
Weight: 54kg
Prize Money: $1,725
Win / Place: 0% / 0%

2 yo Brown Filly

Sire: Time Test

Dam: Real Angel

Dam's Sire: O'Reilly

Owners: David Jensen & Shanae Mckay

Rating

Stats

Career

2: 0-0-0

1st Up

1: 0-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

Heavy

2: 0-0-0

Synthetic

0: 0-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

2: 0-0-0

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 0-0-0

Last 50

50: 5-6-5

Trainer

N/A

Distance

N/A

Track

N/A

Trainer/Track

N/A

Trainer/Distance

N/A

Distance Range Last 6 months

1200m

Gear Changes

Tongue Tie ON [Approved Plates, Lugging Bit, Tongue Tie]

Comments

Raced twice to date. At very long odds at debut, ran last of 8 at Hawera on July 15 over 1200m, on heavy track; 27 len behind Spandeedo carrying 52kg at $53.10. Second-up ran last of 8 at Otaki in LR on July 26 over 1200m, on rain affected going; 27 len behind Platinum Diamond carrying 55kg at $58.60. Can't see her breaking through for the maiden win this time.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Last 600m	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
8th of 8	26/7/25	OTAK	1200m	2YO SW	5	Crystal Lindsay	55kg	Heavy 10	1:17.12	56.0 km/h	0.42.54	27.10L	-	$59	11	$80,000	$1,200	1. Platinum Diamond 2. Luminance 3. Brutiful Lass
8th of 8	15/7/25	HAWE	1200m	2YO SW+P	4	Toni Davies	52kg	Heavy 10	1:17.85	55.5 km/h	0.42.43	27.20L	-	$53	-	$35,000	$525	1. Spandeedo 2. Reconvene 3. Platinum Pantheon
5th of 5	15/4/25	FOXT	850m	Trial	3	Mereana Hudson	-	Good 4	0:51.25	59.7 km/h	-	L	-	-	-	-	-	1. Kawakawa 2. Dancing Shadow 3. Too Darn Sweet