It is hard to go past Lanikai in race 9 at Forbury Park on Thursday night after his impressive win on the track last week.

The 3-year-old Somebeachsomewhere–Ednalea colt came from four back on the inner after starting from the second row and powered home to win by a length and a quarter. Lanikai looked a much improved pacer to when he won at Forbury Park early in February. He has drawn the outside of the front line tonight but he only has seven rivals.

One of them, Motu Time To Shine has won three times at Forbury Park this season. Another, Pembrook Ideal won her first two starts at Forbury Park in October. Rory McIlwrick, who drove Motu Time To Shine in the first of those wins  is on the sideline tonight after a three day suspension last week for excessive use of the whip. Dexter Dunn, who drove Motu Time To Shine in her other two wins is aboard Pembrook Ideal. Andrew Suddaby is the replacement.

Expresso Martini who has been marking time since he easily won a claimer at Forbury Park on March 9, is back in action in race 10 looking a standout. He should be the better for that race, his 12th win, as he was hindered by a stone bruise in the lead up.

The All Stars stable has assigned the 2-year-old fillies Elle Mac and A Lister a start in race 2. A Lister ran fourth at Addington on March 16. Elle Mac, who is having her first race, has two wins and a fourth at trials. She won at Addington last time on March 27.

Highview Justice (race 5) joined the Waikouaiti stable of Amber Hoffman after finishing second to Pat’s Delight at Forbury Park last week.

Zoey’s Gift left Oamaru on Wednesday for a campaign in the Auckland area. The 3yr-old trotting filly trained by Phil Williamson finished fourth, promoted to third in the New Zealand Trotting Oaks at Addington last Friday. Zoey’s Gift will be based with John and Josh Dickie at Papakura.

Tayler Strong