From NEIL FRANKLYN

COMMETT

3g : Trainer : John Bary

6 starts : 2 wins

Win distance range : 1200m

Track conditions won on : Dead : Slow

Chestnut gelding who looks to be heading places going by his winning effort at Rotorua in late January. The James McDonald-ridden son of No Excuse Needed was slow from the barriers in the 7-horse field, but managed to secure a spot 3-back on the inner in transit. He proved to be the widest runner on the final bend of the tight turning track and produced a good finish up the short straight to secure a comfortable if narrow victory. He's experienced just a handful of raceday starts to date and should prove competitive up to and including 1600m at least.

from NEIL FRANKLYN

ARCENCIEL

5m : Trainer : Yves Seguin

14 starts : 4 wins : 4 places

Win distance range : 1600m - 2200m

Track conditions won on : Good : Slow

Exciting middle-distance performer who I expect to improve further and maybe win a cup race during this preparation. The daughter of Black Minnaloushe ran third fresh-up in a six horse field at Ellerslie back in early December. She disappointed a tad next time out, but the distance of 1400m was too short for her. She was run down into second spot third up after attempting to lead all the way. But I've decided she's much better when coming off the pace. And this acted out perfectly when she produced a strong finish from back in the field to claim an R85 event at Pukekohe on January 21.

from NEIL FRANKLYN

NZ horse to follow

WANABEFAMOUS

3c : Trainer : Ralph Manning

6 starts : 2 wins

Win distance range : 1600m

Track conditions won on : Good

This colt caused a major upset at odds of 23/1 when he defeated a field of age group rivals at Ellerslie in mid-January. And it's highly unlikely punters will let him start at such lucrative odds again this campaign. The son of Star Way captured his initial event when beating his maiden opponents at Ellerslie on December 11 after receiving a cosy trail during transit. He ran a close fifth of six at Taupo and then trekked up to Ellerslie again to contest the aforementioned race where he was successful. He again received a nice run during the running and just clung onto his lead after hitting the front at the 200m.

from NEIL FRANKLYN

PRINCESS KATIE

4m : Trainer : Kevin Gray

9 starts : 3 wins : 2 places

Win distance range : 1200m

Track conditions won on : Good

Exciting sprinting mare with a big future judging by her exploits during a short career to date. The daughter of Bianconi loves to travel on the speed and either lead or pounce on her rivals late in the piece. She accomplished victories using these racing traits when securing a lower grade double last season. Little has been seen of her thus far this preparation and she ran an improver's third at Taranaki on Xmas eve. She lined up at Woodville a fortnight later and despite racing 3-wide in transit still managed to defeat her R75 class opponents with daylight to spare.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

BELLAPIN
3f : Trainer - Graeme & Debbie Rogerson
9 starts : 2 wins : 2 places
Win distance range : 1230m - 1300m
Track conditions won on : Good : Slow
Versatile filly who can handle tracks both on top of the
ground and those that are rain-affected. The sprinting
daughter of Pins first caught my attention when clearing
maidens at Rotorua back on the first day of December 2011.
She looked unlucky next up when blocked on two occasions
when her rider went looking for a gap, but only battled at
Rotorua in late December. However, she went a beauty at
Tauranga on January 2 when overcoming difficulties to win an
R65 grade event in the hands of Samantha Spratt.

from NEIL FRANKLYN

PRECISION KING

3g : Trainer : Murray Baker

6 starts : 3 wins : 1 place

Win distance range : 1200m

Track conditions won on : Good : Dead

Highly promising sprinter having won three of just six raceday starts to date. The sprinting son of Towkay had always looked the goods; commencing with a couple of trial wins in his freshman season. He split his trial wins with a poor effort on debut last April and was quickly packed in cotton wool for the winter. He re-emerged in mid-spring where he completed a brace of victories in the lower grades. He followed up with a fourth at Te Rapa, but was trapped 4-wide in that event. He led all the way in 3YO company at Pukekohe and went down narrowly at Ellerslie in late December.

from NEIL FRANKLYN

OUR FAMOUS EVE

3f : Trainer : Glenn Old

5 starts : 2 wins : 2 places

Win distance range : 1600m

Track conditions won on : Good : Slow

Talented chestnut who has racked up a brace of lower grade successes in recent times. The daughter of Fast 'n' Famous first appeared on the racetrack in early September where she ran fourth before going on to finish third in two subsequent runs over the ensuing two months. She broke her duck at Te Rapa on November 20; experiencing a nice run in transit and pulling out a bit extra to claim a long neck victory. She returned to the same track four weeks' later and fought gamely to defeat a bunch of fellow fillies and mares in narrow fashion.

from NEIL FRANKLYN

JUNGLE KNIGHT

4g : Trainer : Stephen McKee

8 starts : 1 win : 3 places

Win distance range : 1600m

Track conditions won on : Good

This customer had shown a ton of promise during his first seven career starts, but was becoming a runner-up specialist. In fact, the son of Jungle Pocket had racked up a hat-trick of seconds dating back to late summer 2011 and surely it would only be a matter of time before he broke his duck. And sure enough, at Te Rapa on December 10, he duly obliged when succeeding with relative ease. Rider Matt Cameron had him travelling on the pace throughout, but he looked to race a trifle awkwardly on occasions. But that made little difference in the end as the combination moved up to lead at the 350m - a lead which they held right to the post

from NEIL FRANKLYN

XANADU

3f : Trainer : Ken & Bev Kelso

3 starts : 3 wins

Win distance range : 1200m - 1600m

Track conditions won on : Good : Dead

This filly could be something special. She's had three raceday runs, won all three and a hat-trick to commence your career is a rare beast. The sprinter/miler daughter of Elusive City won at the trials as a juvenile and was put aside for the winter. She made her debut on her home track at Matamata and dispatched her maiden peers in easy fashion. Next up was Te Aroha where she was slow out, but still managed to blow away her rivals by 3.5 lengths. This effort stamped her as a filly with real class. She then moved up a notch and defeated five opponents - including males - at Ellerslie in early December. More ground won't worry this filly.

VOLKSWOOD

4g : Trainer : David Haworth & Matt Dixon

9 starts : 2 wins : 3 places

Win distance range : 1200m - 1600m

Track conditions won on : Good : Dead

This bloke looks to possess plenty of talent and could turn into a very useful miler as he develops further. The son of Volksraad may even be tried over a middle-distance journey as he holds a nomination for a staying championship final to be held at Ellerslie on New Year's day. He cleared maidens as a 3-year-old and has only just resumed to undergo a summer preparation. He kicked off with a seventh place at Hastings and following a let-up he killed his R65 grade opponents by 3.5 lengths at Wanganui on November 26.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

TRAVINO

2c : Trainer : Peter McKay

4 starts : 2 wins

Win distance range : 1000m - 1100m

Track conditions won on : Good : Dead

Exciting 2-year-old who should develop into a top notch 3-year-old based on what he's shown thus far. The son of General Nediym didn't take my eye during his first two runs, but he raced a little greenly on debut and fought on well. The colt then cruised home by 3.5 lengths at Te Rapa after sitting on the outside of the pacemaker throughout. He drew wide in a 1000m dash at Pukekohe on Counties Cup day, but it made little difference as his rider Jason Waddell positioned him beautifully in the running. Waddell then hooked him wide turning for home and he wound up like a stayer in the making to get up late; albeit by a relatively comfortable half length.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

RANDALL

3g : Trainer : Gareth McRae

4 starts : 2 wins : 1 place

Win distance range : 1400m

Track conditions won on : Good : Dead

Chestnut son of Howbaddouwantit who's making a name for himself rather quickly given he's only experienced a handful of starts thus far in his career. He left the dunce grade back in late winter where he sped to the lead and cleared out by 3.5 lengths for an impressive victory. He was put aside for a two-month let-up and resurfaced at Te Rapa in late October where he ran a close-up fifth. It was plainly obvious he would improve markedly with that run under his belt and this he duly did when winning at Tauranga on November 12, albeit with just a nose to spare at the post.

from NEIL FRANKLYN

NZ Horse To Follow

TIDAL WAVE

5g : Trainer : Lisa Latta

11 starts : 3 wins : 2 places

Win distance range : 1400m

Track conditions won on : Good : Slow : Heavy

Versatile sprinter who can handle any given track conditions. And with the mixed weather we have at the moment that could be a distinct advantage from a punting perspective. The son of Shinko King defeated an R70 grade line-up with relative ease at Awapuni recently even though he had only a half-head margin to spare at the finishing post. Rider Jonathan Riddell had him positioned just beyond midfield, eased him wide on the final bend and the horse did the rest - finishing powerfully down the outer for a well-timed success. Spring 2010 saw him winning two low grade affairs on good and heavy surfaces just weeks apart.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

RUNNINGDOWNADREAM

5m : Trainer : Caroline Pomare

12 starts : 2 wins : 6 places

Win distance range : 1400m - 1600m

Track conditions won on : Dead : Slow

Daughter of High Chaparral who made her lower grade rivals look distinctly second rate when she blitzed them at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup day. Jockey Lisa Robertson had won the Auckland marathon just a few days' prior and the adrenaline was obviously still flowing as she dictated the pace in front nicely; clearing out by over two lengths in the run to greet the judge. The mare had caught my eye at her previous attempt - also at Ellerslie - when she also led but was hampered by a riderless horse. The combination fought on gamely for second place on that occasion. The same horse-rider duo cleared maidens at Ellerslie at the end of September.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

BETTER TOGETHER

5m : Trainer : John Sargent 19 starts : 5 wins : 4 places Win distance range : 1400m - 2000m Track conditions won on : Good : Dead : Slow

Extremely promising staying mare who upset the apple cart somewhat when winning fresh-up from a winter spell at Te Rapa on October 24. The daughter of Volksraad settled handy for senior rider Leith Innes in the 1600m open class handicap. And just when I expected her to wilt through lack of condition she fought tooth and nail to claim a nose victory virtually on the post. It was a fine return to form and augurs well for a lucrative summer campaign - she's currently nominated for the Counties Cup to be run at Pukekohe on November 19. She eased her way through the middle-distance hack classes last season and narrow victories were typical. She pulls out that bit extra when required and just does enough to secure victory.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

FAST LOVE

4m : Trainer : Murray Baker

10 starts : 3 wins : 4 places

Win distance range : 1400m - 2200m

Track conditions won on : Good : Slow

Promising middle-distance performer who proved good enough to capture a listed event for 3YO fillies at Riccarton last April. The daughter of Fastnet Rock embarked on a winter spell following one further start and looks to have developed well upon her return to the track. She ran a pair of third places at Ruakaka and Hawke's Bay and then ventured to Rotorua to tackle a 2200m hack grade event on slow going. And the handled the track with consummate ease; destroying her opponents by 2.5 lengths in the hands of Opie Bosson. I expect her to be tough to beat in future staying races and could even sneak a cup race over the summer period

from NEIL FRANKLYN

DAN DINERO
6g : Trainer : Kevin Gray
12 starts : 2 wins : 2 places
Win distance range : 1400m - 2100m
Track conditions won on : Dead : Heavy
Useful middle-distance performer who's had relatively few
starts given he reached the grand old age of six on August 1
this year. The son of D'Cash is currently in decent form,
though and took my attention when successful at Hawera on
October 8. He travelled well back in the running for rider
Kane Smith and charged home to defeat his R70 rivals with a
short head to spare. Handles most track conditions.

Neil Franklyn's NZ Horse to Follow

BELLINO
4g : Trainer - Richard Collett
9 starts : 2 wins : 4 places
Win distance range : 1600m - 2100m
Track conditions won on : Dead
I predict this talented sprinter/miler will rip through the hack classes this preparation and may even reach open class. I invested on the son of Bertolini fresh-up at Te Rapa on October 2 and he boomed home from the rear to grab an easy 1.75-length victory. Nice 11/1 odds about him too. He had looked promising enough last term and in fact cleared the dunce class at Te Rapa when racing on the speed. He appears to be a confident, game-type of animal who can race anywhere in a field and give his best when asked to. His apprentice rider certainly set him up with a challenge when winning first-up and we can only hope he recovers okay from his exertions.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

ARTISTIC
3f : Trainer - Shaune Ritchie
4 starts : 2 wins
Win distance range : 1200m - 1400m
Track conditions won on : Dead : Slow
It looks like this young filly is going places fast judging by her exploits so far this season. The daughter of Darci Brahma has won both her starts as a 3-year-old; attracting my undivided attention on both occasions. She was checked fresh-up versus maiden opponents up north at Ruakaka, but it made little difference. She produced a big finish from the rear and made it look easy. She also looked in a forlorn position in listed company at Ellerslie when settling last on the inner. But her rider Michael Coleman just hooked her wide and she absolutely charged home to grab first prize with daylight to the runner-up.

Fromk NEIL FRANKLYN

ESTRATO
3c : Trainer - Peter McKay
8 starts : 3 wins : 2 places
Win distance range : 800m - 1400m
Track conditions won on : Good
This young galloper is putting together a decent record and he's not finished yet. The Matamata-trained colt recently resumed his career following a six month break and it took him just two starts to hit the headlines. The son of Stratum finished third fresh-up at Ruakaka on August 24 - the run of an early improver. And that observation proved to be right on the money when he travelled to Hastings for the second day of their spring carnival and narrowly defeated his 3YO peers. He raced on the speed, led at the 200m, and just held on in a desperate ride from Samantha Spratt.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

PINK BEACH
4m : Trainer - Ramsay/Ritchie
9 starts : 2 wins : 1 place
Win distance range : 1800m - 2100m
Track conditions won on : Good : Dead
I predict this mare will be in for a decent season following her second-up success at Taupo on September 14. The daughter of Johar finished unplaced at the trials in early August and finished an improver's fourth fresh-up at Ruakaka later that month. She then lined up three weeks' later to contest an 1800m R70 grade event at Taupo as mentioned where she secured a narrow victory in the hands of James McDonald. Middle-distance races will be her go from now on and can be followed with confidence in the hack classes.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

TED'LL DO
6g : Trainer - Shelley Hale
17 starts : 3 wins : 4 places
Win distance range : 1200m - 2100m
Track conditions won on : Good : Dead : Slow
This customer had yet to appear on my radar until a fine training performance saw him successful fresh-up over 1560m at Rotorua on September 7. The middle-distance-performing son of Electronic Zone settled handy in the R80 grade eight-horse field, challenged on the home bend, and eased out by 1.5 lengths at the post. He hadn't looked that forward at the trials, so he surprised me a little with his effort. He handles most track conditions and stays nicely, so there's no reason he can't go on with his good form in the ensuing weeks and months.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

GINNER HART
3g : Trainer - Alexander Fieldes
2 starts : 2 wins
Win distance range : 1200m
Track conditions won on : Slow
I was on track at Hastings in late August when this gelding got up to win the first event on the card and boy was he impressive. He was crowded at the start versus his age group peers and jockey Patrick Holmes settled him well back in the eight horse field. The combo was still in last position around the final bend and although hooked wide into the open, his chances looked forlorn. But they powered down the outer to just get up in the shadows of the post. A real eye-catcher and he's unbeaten thus far. It looks as though Volksraad has left yet another talented individual for us punters to gloat about.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

WAI NOT
4g : Trainer - Glenn Old
4 starts : 2 wins : 1 place
Win distance range : 1370m - 1400m
Track conditions won on : Slow : Heavy
Chestnut gelding who's impressed me during each of his two successes over the winter period. The son of Riviera commenced his career with a solid dividend-bearing place at Rotorua in mid-June. He then experienced a short let-up prior to turning up at Trentham where he comfortably dealt with a special conditions line-up to win nicely. A poor effort over 1600m at Te Rapa was followed by an excellent performance back at 1400m on a slow New Plymouth surface. Rider Cameron Lammas had him travelling on the pace before hitting the front at the 500m and winning unopposed by 1.5 lengths.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

KNIGHT'S COMMAND
4h : Trainer - Stephen McKee
4 starts : 2 wins
Win distance range : 1200m - 1400m
Track conditions won on : Slow : Heavy
Pins sprinter who caught my attention way back at the end of last year when he cleared the dunce grade at Ellerslie over the Xmas period. He received a poor run in transit, but pulled out a big finish to secure a relatively comfortable victory. The entire was only seen on one further occasion that campaign before being put aside for a decent spell. And he's returned in splendid order, winning an R70 grade affair at Te Rapa on August 13 at just his second run back this preparation.