Wellington Racing Preview: Sunday April 12, 2026
Form analyst Adam Sherry delivers his comprehensive race-by-race analysis and expert betting selections for the Wellington race meeting this Sunday, featuring the headline Wellington Cup where defending champion Aimpoint attempts a remarkable title defense with a significant gear change.
Defending Champion Faces Tough Task with Tactical Adjustment
Defending Wellington Cup champion Aimpoint confronts a substantial challenge in his pursuit of consecutive victories, but trainer Mack Griffith has implemented a crucial equipment modification aimed at securing an upset against formidable rivals. Griffith has decided to equip the six-year-old gelding with blinkers for the first time in his career, hoping to sharpen the horse's focus during the crucial 1700-meter contest.
"The way he's holding his form without doing anything spectacular," Griffith explained. "I have put the blinkers on him for the first time which might just sharpen him up."
Aimpoint has not visited the winner's circle since his triumphant Wellington Cup performance last year, though he has maintained respectable form with a fourth-place finish behind General Soho at Newcastle carrying 59.5 kilograms and a fifth to Sarrismo under 57 kilograms in a Benchmark 78 event at Doomben just two weeks ago.
Griffith employed a similar preparation strategy last season when the Epaulette progeny recorded a seventh and second in two Eagle Farm appearances before returning to claim the Wellington Cup. The trainer noted the challenges presented by Aimpoint's elevated rating following last year's victory, making suitable race placement increasingly difficult.
"He hasn't been getting lapped at all. It's just when he won last year, the rating he got has made it very hard for him to be placed in the right races," Griffith elaborated. "Sydney this time of year is impossible to find a suitable race. There are horses from those bigger stables running in benchmark one week and Group races the next. It's too hard down there."
Aimpoint will carry just 54 kilograms in Sunday's feature, a weight he hasn't shouldered since his narrow second to Louie's Legacy in the Forbes Cup last August. "It was one of the things we were banking on, getting in with a light weight and I have saved the blinkers for this race just to add a bit of shock factor to him and get him a bit more focused," Griffith revealed.
The defending champion opened at $16 with TAB Fixed Odds, positioned behind the Bjorn Baker-trained Perfumist at $3 and Zouatica at $6 in early market movements.
Griffith's Early Race Prospects
Griffith presents two promising contenders earlier in the program with lightly-raced horses showing significant potential. Chappolicious resumes racing in the Class 1 Handicap (1100m) with apprentice Braith Nock taking the ride from barrier two. The three-year-old filly demonstrated considerable ability during her initial campaign, recording a debut third to Jagerschnitzel at Dubbo, a second to Shenandoah River at Scone, and a commanding all-the-way victory over 1000 meters at Wellington.
"We didn't know it at the time but being only a young filly, the fourth run in was just too much for her," Griffith reflected on her fifth-place finish at Narromine in track record time. "They ran a track record and she set the speed the whole way and wasn't beat that far so it wasn't too bad at all when you go through it. The track suits her style, she's drawn a soft gate and has no weight. She should be very hard to run down."
Former Victorian galloper Hanuman represents Griffith's second promising chance in the Maiden Plate (1000m), despite finishing fifth at his New South Wales debut at Dubbo. The four-year-old Exceedance gelding had placed in all four Victorian starts before relocating, with his latest effort at Sale occurring last September.
"He turned up here with a few problems so we decided to take him to the races without a trial," Griffith explained. "He just got tired the last 100 metres so with that run under his belt, he should be primed for this. He's run well in Victoria and this is only a small field. He's got plenty of gate speed and will put himself there."
Adam Sherry's Expert Selections
BEST BET
Race 4 No. 7: CHAPPOLICIOUS
Displayed excellent form last campaign including an impressive all-the-way victory at this track. Will prove extremely difficult to catch.
NEXT BEST
Race 5 No. 6: HAYEK
Led throughout to win over 900 meters first-up last preparation. Capable of repeating the performance despite the wide barrier draw.
VALUE BET
Race 6 No. 2: ZOUATICA
Led and won the Bega Cup before leading again when third in the Bairnsdale Cup. Represents excellent each-way value.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 6, 9, 11
Race 6: 1, 2, 9
Race 7: 1, 7, 9
Race 8: 1, 3, 4
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Leading apprentice Braith Nock secures an attractive book of rides and should prove popular in the Jockey Challenge markets.
Inside Mail: Race-by-Race Analysis
RACE 1: Western Truck Group Country Boosted 3yo & Up Maiden Plate 1000m
HANUMAN (1) was first-up for his new stable without a trial when overracing and peaking late as an odds-on favourite at Dubbo on March 15. Now fitter with cross-over nose band applied. HEAD KAHUNA (5) spelled after a debut third at Scone last July, then again following his third at Muswellbrook in November. Showed promise in recent Scone trial.
Bet: Hanuman to win
RACE 2: Lss Locksmith & Security Solutions Benchmark 58 Showcase Handicap 1700m
JASPER'S WAY (3) recorded handy thirds at Tamworth and Muswellbrook before contesting the WRA Country Championships Qualifier. Returns to suitable grade. GREEN RUN (1) closed strongly to win a Bm66 at Dubbo before a sixth last weekend. Will appreciate grade drop and distance increase.
Bet: Jasper's Way to win
RACE 3: Latitude Liquor Super Maiden Showcase Plate 1400m
HEROES'N'VILLAINS (7) endured tough runs wide without cover in both starts, beaten under three lengths on debut and fifth last start. Draws gate three this attempt. CELEMAN ZOR (5) worked home nicely for third in Warwick Farm trial and performed well on debut.
Bet: Heroes'n'villains to win
RACE 4: Cleanpeak Energy Country Magic Class 1 Showcase Handicap 1100m
CHAPPOLICIOUS (7) resumed with close third and second placings before winning over this track and trip. Set fast pace before fading last start. Won recent Scone trial impressively. RACE TO ARMS (1) was runner-up on debut before winning at Coonamble and placing third at Dubbo. Resumes off trial second.
Bet: Chappolicious to win
RACE 5: K.F.C Colonel's Comet Benchmark 66 Showcase Handicap 900m
HAYEK (6) won first-up over 900m last campaign before overdoing front-running duties at Hawkesbury. Won recent Warwick Farm trial by ten lengths. ECHELON (9) faded when resuming before leading wide at Scone for second. Month between runs when narrow second at Muswellbrook.
Bet: Hayek to win
RACE 6: Peter Milling & Company 'Peter Milling Memorial' Big Dance Eligibility Wellington Showcase Cup 1700m
ZOUATICA (2) won Bega Cup before fourth in National Sprint and solid third in Bairnsdale Cup. Will go forward aggressively. PERFUMIST (1) disappointed first-up but improved second-up in Group 2 company. Fitter now. AIMPOINT (9) chases consecutive Cups with weight drop and blinkers applied.
Bet: Zouatica each-way
RACE 7: Wellington Soldiers Memorial & Golf Club Wellington Boot Showcase 1100m
I'M A BEAUT (9) trialed nicely before impressive four-length win in Boot Prelude at Dubbo. Draws ideally behind speed. HELLENIC BELLE (7) overraced in Group 3 debut before bouncing back with half-length win at Muswellbrook.
Bet: I'm A Beaut to win
RACE 8: Wellington Soldiers Memorial & Golf Club Wellington Town Plate Showcase Open Handicap 1100m
HELLCIBELLE (3) led throughout to win Inverell Shorts before spell. Has excellent first-up record. PRIDE TO FOLLOW (4) was fifth in Championships Qualifier before tenth in Wild Card. Drop back in distance suits.
Bet: Hellcibelle to win
