From NEIL FRANKLYN

PRINCE OF WALES
3c : M & P Moroney : Matamata
5 starts : 3 wins : 2 places
Win distance range : 1100m - 1400m
Track conditions won on : Fast/Good : Slow
This classy entire has begun his spring/summer campaign the way he ran as a 2-year-old last season - in fine form. The son of Bachelor Duke grabbed a third prize fresh-up - a nice eye-catching effort behind One Swanstonstreet - this was the race I've previously mentioned as a good form race. And he lived up to that performance when taking care of his age-group opponents in the hands of Michael Coleman at Tauranga on Novenber 14.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

SAHARA
4m : R Frost : Otaki
12 starts : 1 win : 3 places
Win distance range : 1600m
Track conditions won on : Slow
I've followed this mare's career fairly closely and I was beginning to despair she would ever enter my punting notebook. It appeared she was just a battler and was destined to run around on rain-affected going. However, it seems she just needed more ground as her first start over a middle-distance produced a pleasing effort. The daughter of Keeper ran on late to grab second money and give eventual winner Foremost a run for his money. Stick with her over and beyond 2000m.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

DEVERRA
5m : S Lucock : Byerley
10 starts : 2 wins : 3 places
Win distance range : 1400m
Track conditions won on : Fast/Good : Dead
This mare had done little to attract my attention during the first three runs of her current preparation. Although my perception of her changed when she charged home in an R70 event at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup day. In the hands of gun apprentice James McDonald, the daughter of Stravinsky failed to overhaul the winner by just a nose margin and had to be content with second prize. She dropped down from R80 grade having had three runs in that class. She's still at the improving stage.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

WEALTH PRINCESS
4m : B Gillovic : Te Awamutu
2 starts : 2 wins
Win distance range : 1200m
Track conditions won on : Fast/Good : Slow
This mare has been handled with kid gloves and that strategy is working well as she's now unbeaten in two raceday runs. The daughter of San Luis made her debut back on the last day of April. She went out as the public's elect and she didn't disappoint when winning by nearly two lengths in the hands of veteran hoop David Walsh. She disappeared for nearly six months and again went out favourite upon resuming. An even easier victory was accomplished by over two lengths at Te Rapa on October 26.

From NEIL FRANKLYN in Auckland

ONE SWANSTONSTREET
3f : A Scott : Matamata
5 starts : 2 wins : 1 place
Win distance range : 1200m
Track conditions won on : Dead : Slow
This filly made her debut as a late 2-year-old and only experienced the one start at that age. She secured a black type victory in early spring when successful at Wanganui versus her peers albeit by just a nose margin. The daughter of Sandtrap went a nice race for fourth in listed company at Ellerslie and then comfortably took first prize in the hands of regular pilot David Walsh at Rotorua in mid-October.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

PASSCHENDAELE
4m : J Sargent : Matamata
6 starts : 3 wins
Win distance range : 1400m - 1600m
Track conditions won on : Fast/Good : Slow
This well bred mare by Montjeu out of Classic Babe has really displayed the family ability just recently when clearing the lower grades. And there's a whole lot more to come judging by her most recent outing on her home surface at Matamata. She settled back for top rider Mark du Plessis, joined in at the 200m, and toyed with her rivals in the final stages. Her prior fresh-up run saw her successful in R70 grade. It appears she's going to handle most track types too.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

THE STING
4g : J Bridge : Hastings
6 starts : 1 win : 1 place
Win distance range : 1400m
Track conditions won on : Dead
Son of Golan who showed me absolutely nothing last season and it looked like I would refer him to the scrap heap. However, an eight-month spell appears to have worked the oracle as he's returned to racing in fine fettle. Fresh-up saw him running subsequent Hawke's Bay Guineas victor Keyora to a nose at Hastings in mid-September. He then went out next start and easily accounted for a maiden special line-up with James McDonald aboard on Kelt Capital Stakes day at Hasings on October 3.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

BACK IN BLACK
4g : J Steffert : Te Aroha
8 starts : 3 wins : 1 place
Win distance range : 1200m - 1400m
Track conditions won on : Fast/Good : Dead
Sparingly raced sprinter who looks right on target for late spring and summer racing judging by his recent exploits. The son of Storm Creek returned from an autumn/winter spell with gusto running second fresh-up at Ellerslie and beaten just a nose. His connections gave him a few weeks to get over those exertions and he turned up to contest an R80 affair at Pukekohe on September 20. And he powered home to upset punters to the tune of 25/1 odds.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

PENTIRE LAD
4g : L Latta : Awapuni
8 starts : 2 wins : 2 places
Win distance range : 1200m - 1300m
Track conditions won on : Fast/Good : Dead
Given his name, it'll be no surprise to you that this gelding's sire is the wonderful Pentire. And judging on his fresh-up effort he'll represent him with gusto during the spring and summer period. He looked a trifle weak last season but he's strengthened up considerably during his five month winter spell. His aforementioned first-up performance occurred at Awapuni on September 12. He produced a stout finish to win by a nose in the hands of experienced veteran hoop Noel Harris. And he'll go a lot further than the 1300m journey he's won over thus far.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

EL PRESIDENTE
4g : Logans/Gibbs : Ruakaka
5 starts : 1 win : 2 places
Win distance range : 1600m
Track conditions won on : Dead
Danasinga gelding who's been kept in cotton wool since the commencement of his career and he should now be ready to show some worthwhile form. He raced on five occasions over the June to August winter period and in that time chalked up an easy maiden success on his home track. He thrashed his rivals by five lengths and then stepped out again on the same track almost three weeks later. And he ran the promising Jet Setter to a head when finishing second.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

ROYAL DUDE
4g : S McKee : Ardmore
12 starts : 2 wins : 6 places
Win distance range : 1000m - 1200m
Track conditions won on : Fast/Good : Slow
This chap hasn't exactly got me really excited regarding his ability at any point but he's done enough to warrant inclusion this week. The Lonhro gelding experienced a late summer let-up before resuming at Pukekohe in mid-April. Unfortunately, it wasn't very flattering as he ran dead last. Following a decent run for third and a brace of ordinary efforts, he ventured up north to Ruakaka where he defeated a small field of R90 rivals over a 1000m dash. Look out for him away from town hall company.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

CAPONE
3g : D Guy : Matamata
2 starts : 1 win : 1 place
Win distance range : 1200m
Track conditions won on : Heavy
Son of Al Akbar with just two raceday runs under his belt. And he looks to have excellent potential based on what we've seen of him thus far. He commenced his career as a 2-year-old on his home track back on July 1. He destroyed an average bunch of his maiden peers by four lengths on a rain-sodden surface. He then experienced a brief let-up and upon resuming travelled across to New Plymouth where he grabbed third prize in R70 company.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

THE JUNGLE BOY
4g : S Clotworthy : Byerley
5 starts : 2 wins
Win distance range : 1400m - 2000m
Track conditions won on : Slow : Heavy
This bloke may have only beaten a weak R70 line-up at his most recent outing but I'm certain there's more to come before the firm tracks of spring arrive on the scene. The son of Jungle Pocket raced just twice during summer time and quickly embarked on a spell when it became apparent he wasn't best suited. He wasn't sighted again till July 2 where he dispatched his maiden rivals fresh-up at odds of 10/1. He failed miserably next start but returned to secure the aforementioned victory returning 13/1 in the process.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

WIDA'S DREAM
5m : Priscott/Chipperfield : Te Awamutu
20 starts : 4 wins : 2 places
Win distance range : 1400m - 2000m
Track conditions won on : Fast/Good : Slow : Heavy
This mare was beaten at her most recent start but it was no disgrace to go under to the highly talented Creston who bolted away with the event. This occurred at Pukekohe on August 8 and it shouldn't be too much longer before she enters the winner's circle for the second time this campaign. The first time occurred at Matamata toward the tail end of last season where the daugher of Faltaat killed her R70 opponents by 4.5 lengths. She can handle just about all track conditions which is a bonus at this time of year.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

LORD MATUA
5h : L & R Didham : Riccarton
9 starts : 2 wins : 2 places
Win distance range : 2000m - 2100m
Track conditions won on : Fast/Good : Slow
Despite having proved successful in maiden company on top of the ground, this middle-distance galloper's breeding suggests he'll be more at home on wet tracks. And if you closely inspect this Lord Ballina entire's formline, you'll see this trait appearing. He put in three solid efforts on his home track during May and June, but found the surface a bit firm for his liking at Washdyke in mid-July. He then cleared R70 grade on a slow Riccarton track on August 5.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

HE'S GLOVIN IT
3g : A Scott : Matamata
3 starts : 2 wins
Win distance range : 1600m
Track conditions won on : Dead : Slow
This customer was mightly impressive at his most recent start and it looks like he could sail through the grades with relative ease. The son of Keeper made his debut at Te Rapa back on June 25 but didn't flatter when ending up in seventh spot. However, his army of supporters stuck with him and he rewarded them with a brace of victories. The first occurred in maiden company up north at Ruakaka. And then regular pilot Michael Coleman hopped aboard on a return visit to Te Rapa and their rivals never really stood a chance.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

BEAU DANE
3g : E & J Rayner : Wanganui
4 starts : 2 wins : 1 place
Win distance range : 1400m - 1600m
Track conditions won on : Slow : Heavy
This inexperienced galloper commenced his career on his home track last November where he ran near last. He was then put aside for a while and made his reappearance, again on his home surface, on May 30. He ran a nice second albeit beaten by four lengths, and maintained that form when narrowly clearing maiden company at Otaki less than one month later. Rider David Walsh then again teamed up with the son of Danelove and the combination killed thier rivals at New Plymouth in mid-July.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

GEORGE NEIL
4g : J Phillips : Tauherenikau
3 starts : 1 win : 1 place
Win distance range : 1400m
Track conditions won on : Heavy
This gelding has only experienced a handful of raceday outings but he's looked solid enough in two of those. The son of Istidaad made his debut in early June in the notorious Trentham mud. And he caused a major boilover when proving successful in maiden company at odds in excess of 25/1. He travelled next to Otaki where he failed but I'm not concerend with that effort. A better guide came when he finished runner-up in maiden special company back in the Trentham bog; albeit seven lengths in arrears of the winner.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

WORTHING
3g : G Alton : Cambridge
3 starts : 2 wins
Win distance range : 1200m
Track conditions won on : Fast-Good : Dead
This gelding possesses a real interesting formline despite being the veteran of just three raceday starts. The Danroad spriner commenced his career way back in late February 2008 as a 2-year-old. And he easily won a maiden affair on debut at Te Rapa. He then disappeared from the scene for exactly 15 months before being sighted at Ruakaka where he ran eleventh fresh-up. He then caused an upset second-up when securing victory in R70 company, again at Te Rapa.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

DANCING DIAMOND
4g : D Haworth : Foxton
18 starts : 3 wins : 4 places
Win distance range : 1600m
Track conditions won on : Slow : Heavy
This chap grows another leg on winter surfaces so there should be further success in store for him over the ensuing weeks. The son of Indian Danehill did very little to enthuse me in his first three starts this campaign. That changed to a degree when he succeeded in an R70 race at Foxton on the first day of June. He only finished fifth next up but returned to Foxton to kill his rivals by three lengths in the hands of Michael Walker.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

MY BENTLEY
4g : J Lynds : Awapuni
8 starts : 2 wins : 1 place
Win distance range : 1600m
Track conditions won on : Fast-Good : Slow
Top rider Hayden Tinsley kicked this bloke home to secure his initial win in maiden company at Awapuni on April 3. I've kept a close eye on the son of I Conquer since then and he rewarded my patience with success at Otaki on June 21. In between times he finished an ordinary sixth following his maiden win and then fourth a month or so prior to his latest victory. I expect him to reward his followers further now that he's left the lower grades.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

BIRCHWOOD RUN
7g : Eagle/Seymour : Foxton
24 starts : 6 wins : 7 places
Win distance range : 2000m - 3100m
Track conditions won on : Fast-Good : Dead : Slow : Heavy
It's not often we list jumpers to follow but we're well into the winter season now and this bloke has been very impressive thus far. And I think he can earn us some pocket money in the weeks to come; especially as he handles all types of track conditions. The Istidaad gelding cleaned up a bunch of hurdlers by over three lengths in fine style at Hastings on May 31. He then lined up in open company on the flat where he ran second, albeit 4.5 lengths in arrears of the winner. He then travelled to Palmerston North where he won the Awapuni Hurdles by a wide margin.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

RURAL REBEL
3g : S McKee : Ardmore
8 starts : 2 wins : 2 places
Win distance range : 1400m
Track conditions won on : Fast-Good : Dead
This fellow has been in work a fair while but he's had few starts so has been kept in a freshened state throughout this preparation. The son of Spartacus debuted back in early 2008 and wasn't then sighted again till December that same year. He cleared maidens at his third start back and put in a couple of useful efforts following that initial success. He then experienced another of his many let-ups and resumed on a winning note in the hands of Michael Walker at Te Rapa on June 6.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

SHACUSE
4g : M Walker : Matamata
7 starts : 2 wins : 2 places
Win distance range : 1200m - 1400m
Track conditions won on : Heavy
It looks almost certain that this Just An Excuse sprinter requires winter footing to perform at his best. His two wins to date have come about on heavy underfoot conditions and in fact his two placed efforts were achieved in much the same way. He won a maiden race on debut just over one year ago but failed to greet the judge again in his initial campaign. He ran improver's efforts in his first two runs this preparation on tracks too firm for him. He then cleared R70 grade with a narrow success at Ellerslie on June 1.

From NEIL FRANKLYN

ZOOMIN
4g : L Poulson : Pukekohe
11 starts : 3 wins : 2 places
Win distance range : 1300m - 1600m
Track conditions won on : Slow - Heavy
This bloke will be a force to reckon with this winter judging by his latest success at Ellerslie. The son of Pupil cleaned up a bunch of ordinary R80 grade performers by 1.5 lengths. Wet tracks have quickly established themselves in the north and he handled the muddy surface with aplomb. The 4-year-old had previously run a decent eighth fresh-up behind Attackum, and an improver's fourth second-up at Tauranga. His aforementioned victory was just his third run back from a summer spell so there's a fair bit of improvement in him yet.