By MIKE DILLON
Two hours before Sunline struts her stuff at Moonee Valley tomorrow, the McKees will be very keen on the performance of another class mare from their stable.
They fancy the chances of the improving Lyn's Legacy to be competitive in the $30,000 Jim and John Evans Metric Mile at Counties, despite the fact the Sir Tristram mare is stepping up two grades.
Lyn's Legacy showed excellent potential last season and although yet to attain the open class status of this race, she is poised to make it difficult for the hotshots.
"She was unlucky when she resumed at Ellerslie last start," said co-trainer Stephen McKee.
"She didn't get the best of runs and was still only one length from King Keitel in a strong field."
Lyn's Legacy had only one quiet trial before that race so can be expected to be fractionally fitter this time. She is potentially a staying type and the 1600m on a testing track like Counties will suit her prefectly.
"We'll keep her to the metric miles because there are a few nice races for her coming up then look to step her up to staying distances early next year," said McKee.
Former Central Districts galloper Our Mr Bowie, Call Minder and Hello Dolly look the trio to beat.
Our Mr Bowie ran a nice race when only sixth behind Jaiapeno at Ellerslie last Saturday. He was unsuited by stepping back in distance from 1400m to 1200m and after being outpaced early, was running on well in the closing stages in a race won in fast time.
The step to 1600m is exactly what he is looking for and this track should be perfect.
Call Minder may not be the easiest horse for punters to follow, but she is highly talented when she puts it together. Her Matamata Cup win last start indicated what she was capable of and a similar effort would put her right in the frame here.
Underrated mare Arlanda did not get the money on a recent trip to Melbourne, but should find the second leg of the TAB double a bit easier.
Arlanda can produce a withering finish and even though she has drawn wide, she should be in a position to mount a finish at the leaders in the long home straight.
Barrier draws are important when the tracks firm and the No 16 gate for Sir Albert in the middle leg of the TAB treble makes it interesting for the highly promising gelding.
He has had time to freshen after being beaten into third in a PQ race at Hastings in late August.
That was coming off the back of a couple of runs in extremely testing heavy tracks and the freshness is an important element here.
The draw will not make his task easy, but Sir Albert has enormous potential.
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