Regardless of conditions, Peacefuleasyfeelin and Brad Thorn are going to be difficult to hold out in the $50,000 Hyland Race Colours NZ St Leger at Trentham tomorrow.
The pair can both handle most conditions and, importantly, if the weather turns sour they will cope better than most of the opposition.
Peacefuleasyfeelin has not won on a rain-affected track, but has been placed in all three runs on slow and heavy. He showed the 2500m here will not be a problem by finishing well for third behind Smartly at 2400m at Te Rapa two starts back. He is a fit horse and at set weights is nicely placed.
Dubai Shuffle has done nothing in two runs on an "off" track, but his form is solid and if the rain does not eventuate he will start one of the favourites. Stablemate Full Monty has had only the two runs, but he has stylishly won both and has not had much luck despite a win and a third in his last two. He looks the type to run out the 2500m.
Punters are falling off Zurella steadily and the suggestion is going into tomorrow's Cuddle Stakes that she has lost a couple of lengths off her earlier form.
She had her chance when fourth behind Custom at group one level at Te Rapa last start, her saving grace being that she was just 1.9 lengths away and this field is easier.
If she doesn't win she'll never start favourite again.
If there is a question whether rain will attack Trentham, there is not about Te Rapa tomorrow.
Even allowing we generally get about 50 per cent of the rainfall forecast, there is likely to be heavy rain in Waikato.
A couple of Quaddie runners who won't mind that are Ididit (R6) and Biggin Hill (R7). Delveen in the last leg won her only start on a heavy track.