Dark Bishop can go close at Ellerslie today

by Mike Dillon Dark Bishop is a stayer on the way through.

That second at Te Aroha last week after a break of more than two months was the run of an improver and he can go close in Race 2 at Ellerslie today.

The minimum 54kg weight looks attractive and as a previous winner at Ellerslie he looks well placed. Quest is still improving and will be dangerous on the same weight and Moneytree is in the mix.

Just about everything that could have gone wrong with Genus ( No12, R1) went wrong at Matamata last start. The talented Zabeel filly can atone for that defeat today.

Payette ( No7, R3) had the massive job of trying to chase Petty Cury down at Pukekohe last start. She was four lengths away, but even that is no dis- grace. Freshened, she makes appeal today, even if drawn out a fraction wide. This is a useful field and the trifecta result should be useful.

So Wotif ( No1, R4) has more than a touch of class. He has 59.5kg to lump today, but there is not a massive scale on the race handicap and it may not prove beyond him. Little Wonder ( No3) ended a run of three straight wins last start, but has had a brief freshener and it may be different this time. He had looked very good before that. Tiger Moss ( No9) and Queens Rose ( No11) are required for the trifecta.

High Society ( No3, R6) was checked back out of contention last start and did really well to finish third. A win here from a handy barrier would be compensation.

Zurella ( No6, R7) picks herself in the group one $ 200,000 Manco Easter Handicap. Any one of the three that beat her into fourth in the Coolmore Classic in Sydney last start would start favourite in this race today. She will get back in running, but can storm home.

Plenty of chances, behind her. Miss Pelear ( No9) is a gun mare when luck goes her way, which is not often. Viadana ( No5) is another whose bad luck has cost her dearly and Tyne Cot ( No15) will be out to show if his talent can overcome his lack of experience. Sum Up ( No8) is the blowout result.

The tip all day is if taking a Pick6 or a Quaddie, go wide in the last two legs and particularly in Race 8. This is tough. Speech Craft ( No3) looked exceptionally good winning here last start and although up in weight, he remains in the same rating band. Pollyantha ( No2) is a deadset stayer, but they often go well when fresh at 1400m. Don’t dismiss her chances. Rich’n Unhitched ( No 5) is right in it.