ANAROA (4) has battled into fourth place in each of her runs back from a spell, and he is now ready to step up to 1600m for his peak run. Jonathan Riddell will help negate the tough gate, and he should be among the hardest to beat in this. RIO GRANDE (5) is dropping back from a couple of recent modest efforts over 2100m, including his last start at Ellerslie less than 2 weeks ago. He cops a wide gate, but if he can find his form from last year, then he is good enough to run into the top 4 here. CRAFTSMAN (13) needed his fresh run for a new stable at Awapuni nearly 3 weeks ago on the poly track there, and his only placing came on this course second up last year. He may still be a maiden, but he is a top 4 chance in this. PINKER (2) had excuses fresh up when beaten out of sight, and he was much better at Whanganui 6 days ago when finishing a game runner-up. He has the pole position and can go one better. RITHIM (11) resumes from a spell, and her recent trial was not too bad. Include.