NZ - Avondale - Race 2

PORTLAND (1) hit her straps at the end of her last campaign, winning just over 2 months ago by nearly a length at Whanganui. She would have maintained her residual fitness, and dropping back to 6f with a 4lbs claim ensures that she is well placed to take this out, especially from the pole position. GIN AND BARE IT (3) built her form strongly to score an impressive all-the-way win at Arawa Park 2 weeks ago by nearly 3 lengths. She carries the same weight in this, and she can repeat the dose. ELITE CHOICE (2) franked her good trial form with an impressive fresh-up win at Pukekohe 3 weeks ago. She obviously revels on wet ground, and she should go close again. Stick with her. CONFECTIONIST (5) was only beaten by a short head at Tauranga nearly 7-weeks ago, and even though the gap between starts is a query for us, she is still capable of another top 3 finish here. SHE'S A BOSS (4) did not have much joy in a good field at Ellerslie last start, but she is still worth including in this.