Samantha Logan is hoping for a result to savour when the aptly named Jelly Roll makes his debut at Matamata on Sunday.

Abu Dhabi will make his much-anticipated return to jumping when he contests the Fairview Motors Waikato Hurdle (3200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Improving three-year-old Taken ran out a dominant winner of the Darren Galley Mile (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday under a well-judged front-running ride by Beau Mertens.

A big day for Katrina and Simon Alexander and Kelly Myers at Ellerslie on Saturday culminated with talented mare Midnight Scandal taking out the Evergreen Bloodstock (1400m).

The Te Awamutu stable of Katrina and Simon Alexander is Major Major’s third home, and a commanding performance in Saturday’s Trackside.co.nz (2100m) at Ellerslie suggested it could be the most successful one for the late-developing seven-year-old.

A week after pulling off a first-up masterstroke with the veteran Ata Rangi at Ellerslie, John Bell is hoping to see another bold return to racing this weekend – this time from one of the most exciting up-and-coming talents in his Cambridge stable.

Apprentice Liam Kauri has continued a winning association with the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott stable by partnering their smart three-year-old Tristar to victory in the Ambient Group 3YO (1100m) at Te Rapa, his second victory aboard the filly from just two rides.

Runaway last-start winner Honey Badger will head to Te Rapa on Saturday as a hot favourite for the Ambient Group 3YO (1100m), where another big performance could earn her a black-type opportunity at Tauranga next month.

Roydon Bergerson only has one preference for all five of his competitive chances on Saturday at Wanganui, a rain-affected track.

Wexford Stables’ three-year-olds prevailed in the survival of the fittest at Tauranga on Wednesday, with Prudentia and Macallan each breaking maiden status in the extremely testing conditions.

Group One performer Faraglioni showed she is back on track this preparation following her comfortable 1000m trial victory at Foxton on Tuesday.

Sunday’s Kingmakers Syndication (2200m) at Ellerslie was Ata Rangi’s first raceday appearance in 204 days, but the versatile nine-year-old brought his A-game to Auckland and resumed on a winning note.

Progressive three-year-old gelding Taken showed his fighting qualities over the concluding stages of the Sportsbet More Places Handicap (1600m) at Sandown on Saturday when repelling the challenge of Detroit City.

Matamata trainer Andrew Scott brought up his 1000th win in New Zealand when exciting talent Tomodachi took out the Gr.3 Rotorua ITM Stakes (1400m) at Arawa Park on Saturday.