NZ - Te Rapa - Race 8

FIRST FIVE (3) has always been a promising gelding, and he has gone to the next level, winning his last 2 starts, including a last start G1 victory at Trentham in the Telegraph Handicap. He is at his best over 7f, and the hat-trick beckons, except maybe not with the double-figure odds again. HERE TO SHOCK (1) is back from Australia to defend his title after winning this race last year. He won a recent Geelong jump-out and was a Listed winner at Caulfield in the spring. He is right in this. TOMODACHI (11) was sent out as the favourite fresh up in the G1 Telegraph at Trentham, and ran on late from a wide gate to finish a game fourth. She is unbeaten in 2 starts second up, and is one to follow. Each way. ARKANSAW KID (2) was a game runner-up in the G1 Railway at Ellerslie a fortnight ago, and all of his form in Australia has come when racing in an anti-clockwise direction. He is good enough to win this. PROVENCE (10) had an excuse last time out, and she can make amends in this.