Parkes already primed

TOMORROW Tauranga gallops, Tauherenikau gallops and harness, Omakau harness, Palmerston North dogs. TUESDAY Thames gallops, Omakau gallops, Addington dogs. WEDNESDAY Otaki gallops, Roxburgh harness, Wanganui dogs. THURSDAY Taranaki gallops, Reefton gallops, Addington dogs, Auckland dogs. FRIDAY Ruakaka gallops, Timaru harness, Cambridge harness, Wanganui dogs, Addington dogs. SATURDAY Marton gallops, Greymouth gallops, Wyndham harness EXPERT TIPS AUCKLAND – Tim Ryan ADIS: Keep following this promising filly, gets the trip today.. SNOWDROP: Has draw to win Railway Stakes today. FIRST SERVE: Pay for Xmas, back her at Waikouaiti. WAIKATO – Ross Fisher RED SKY AT NIGHT: Could add a bit of spice to your multiples in race two at Ellerslie today GRAND SOLEIL: Comes into the fillies feature race today as upsetting material. Blinkers on RISING SHOT: Dropping 4kgs after running second to Coldplay makes her a big threat today. CENTRAL DISTRICTS – Paul Gueorgieff TORBA: The one to beat in race two at Hastings today after solid efforts at last two starts in stronger events. HOW PERFECT: Disappointed at New Plymouth,improvement in race four at Hastings would not surprise. ETERNITY: Has failed to fire in three starts this campaign but worth another chance in race five at Hastings. CANTERBURY – Mat Kermeen NO EMOTION: Primed for the Waikouaiti Cup and is in form. SENSEI: Taking on older horses in race three at Waikouaiti but class should see him through. CAPTAINDOLMIO: Handicap hurt him last time but off the front at Omakau on Monday. OTAGO-SOUTHLAND – Jamie Searle CINDY BROMAC: Raced at the Harness Jewels in June. Recent trial winner. Top bet in race three at Omakau on Monday. CAPTAIN DOLMIO: Gore Cup run was first outing for seven weeks. Will be sharper for Monday’s Omakau Cup. BEN WASHINGTON: Looking okay at workouts and trials. Debuts in race four at Roxburgh on Wednesday. GREYHOUNDS – Peter Earley MAXIMUM EXPRESS: Can add another win today. EVA DIVA: Can bounce back to winning form today. VIDEO WATCH – Murray Wedlake COLLAY: Should have lost no friends with her narrow Rotorua defeat as she was slow to begin and covered ground. QUINTASTICS: Would have paid a dividend at Wingatui had she not had her progress halted halfway up the straight. LOVETHEFEELING: Had a horror trip wide on the pace at New Plymouth and did well to finish as close as she did. Johnathan Parkes has been beating a successful path north in recent weeks.

The Wanganui jockey returns to Ellerslie today chasing another major race success when he teams up with Start Wondering in the Group I Railway Stakes.

The smart Evan and JJ Rayner-trained sprinter won the Legacy Lodge Sprint at Te Rapa for Parkes last time they ventured north.

In the same form he would $200,000 race a decent shake.

‘‘He’s been working well,’’ Parkes said. ‘‘He’s a talented horse at best and we’ve drawn well at four’’

Start Wondering aside, Parkes has been racking up the wins on unbeaten filly Volpe Veloce the latest in the Eight Carat Classic on Boxing Day.

That gave the popular jockey his first Ellerslie win and to add a Group I would be a career highlight. ‘‘It would be a huge thrill,’’ he said. Parkes rides the Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs-trained 3-year-old Astara in the Railway and then St Jean in the City Of Auckland Cup.

Dalghar filly Astara adds interest to the Railway but jockey Mark Du Plessis has the difficult barrier 14 to navigate.

‘‘We’ll go forward,’’ Logan said. ‘‘We have no weight on our back. Whether we lead I’m not sure. The filly is bright and fresh.’’ give the Wide draws hold few concerns for Cambridge trainer Murray Baker ahead of Saint Emilion and Lizzie L’Amour’s double assault on the City Of Auckland Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie today.

Last-start Waikato Cup (2400m) winner Lizzie L’Amour drew barrier 20, while Saint Emilion – backing up from his fourth placing in the Zabeel Classic (2000m) at

Astara hasn’t been seen since the 1000 Guineas in November when placed fifth behind La Diosa. The $31 chance has a perfect three from three strike rate at Ellerslie.

Logan and Gibbs have three runners in the City Of Auckland Cup with Zafrenzy ($41) and Candle In The Wind ($26) joining St Jean ($35).

‘‘Zafrenzy and Candle In The Wind will give 110 per cent while I expect to see improvement from St Jean from his last run,’’ she said.

‘‘I can’t wait to miles.’’

Romancer ($2.60) gives the great chance in the Group Northern Guineas.

The gelding is on get a him over learning two stable a II Great curve as Ellerslie on Boxing Day has drawn 22.

‘‘We’re not worried. It’s a good run into the first bend and I’m happy with them both. They are both happy horses,‘‘ said Baker, who trains in partnership with Andrew Forsman.

Saint Emilion has had six starts past 2100m and won three of them, though today’s race isn’t an easy assignment with topweight of 60.5kg to carry.

‘‘The weight is always a worry but he heads toward his season’s target – the $1 million Vodafone New Zealand Derby on March 4.

‘‘He’s still green, but he’s getting there and improving with each run,’’ Logan said.

‘‘He’ll run in the Great Northern Guineas on New Year’s Day and then he’ll go to the Karaka Three-Year-Old Mile followed by the Avondale Guineas.

‘‘Then it will be on to the Derby and he’s bred to run it and that makes you feel a lot more comfortable.’’

The Group II Rich Hill Mile gives the stable another black-type opportunity with the interesting and talented contender All Roads ($18).

He’s had support in early markets and jockey Rosie Myers should be able to there’s no other races around for him,’’ Baker said.

‘‘We’d be waiting for the Herbie Dyke at Te Rapa for him otherwise so he might as well take his chances in this. The horse is very well and we’ve decided to press ahead.

‘‘He’s out of a Pentire mare and there’s no reason why he won’t stay – they just went too fast in front the other day and he’ll be better suited this time.’’ secure a gun run from gate one.

However, Logan has concerns around the 54kg the winner of five from 14 is required to carry.

‘‘He’s not weighted well in comparison to some whena horse like Capella is on 52.5kg but luck in the running is always important and he should get that from his draw.

The Group II Royal Stakes gives the Ruakaka stable a shot at more blacktype.

Mastercraftsman filly Adis is still in maidens but her trainers have long held an opinion of the horse and they see today’s race as a golden opportunity for her to vindicate their rating.

‘‘She will stay all day and some of the others might struggle,’’ Logan said.