3 minute read

Here is Whistlejacket's take on the raiders and overseas born runners.

We should add that at this time of the year we regard New Zealand as part of us.

First up and it looks like he will be favourite is the Japanese runner Prognosis.  He's by Deep Impact and currently ranked 4th in Japan.  Having Damian Lane on board is a huge plus as Damian is not only riding brilliantly at present but he's ridden in Japan and knows how the Japanese training system works.  He's been to Hong Kong three times and Romantic Warrior (currently ranked 2nd in Japan) has beaten him each time but the last clash in April the margin was just a neck.

Docklands comes from the UK and the yard of Harry Eustace who has booked another in-form jockey in Blake Shinn for the ride.  What the horse will make of that is anyone's guess as he has always been ridden by Hayley Turner in the UK.  He has a lot of seconds in his form book and he's a 4yo.

Via Sistina is by Fastnet Rock out of a Galileo mare and had great form in the UK where he was with George Boughey. Form here is well known but has to be confirmed as a runner after a trackwork incident on Tuesday.

Royal Patronage is currently the outsider In the 9 horse field.  He's by Wooton Bassett whose children are having a great run in UK and Ireland.  He's been around as he was originally with the Johnstons in Yorkshire then moved to Graham Motion in America and came here to Waterhouse-Bott in mid 2023.  He was given a long break and since his comeback in September has finished in the frame in all four of his starts so 33/1 could be worth a bit of e/w.

Mr Brightside and Evaporate are both NZ born but see note above.