Mystery Show. Photo / TRISH DUNELL
However much rain arrives at Riccarton it will be welcomed by the trainers of the main northern hopes in tomorrow's $300,000 1000 Guineas.
Donne Logan, co-trainer of Astara; James Bridge, who prepares Mystery Show; and Shaune Ritchie (Bella Gioia) are in total agreement that rain on a very firm Riccarton would be the best eventuality.
"Mystery Show was on the flight from Auckland yesterday and when we got here it was very hot and the wind was drying things out even more," said James Bridge.
Shaune Ritchie said he can't wait for it to start raining. "No one wants a very wet track and see a farcical-run group one race, but the track was hard for yesterday's racing.
"I can't believe there is one camp that does not want to see some rain. The heat and the wind have made the sprinklers pretty ineffective. I know the Le Diosa camp doe not want too much rain, but I'm even sure they would welcome some."
The Weather Bureau's prediction is for rain from around mid-day today, with showers or rain through to late morning or early afternoon Saturday.
"From what I saw of the track yesterday it is going to be able to absorb an awful lot," said Ritchie. "What we don't want is too much Saturday."
Donna Logan said if the track cut up she would not know what to expect of Astara, winner of the Champagne Stakes at Ellerslie as a late juvenile and winner also of the Soliloquy Stakes last start. "We've never tried her on a rain-affected track. Being trained at Ruakaka she's never even galloped on it."
La Diosa, one of only two South Island Guineas runners, is the hot favourite at $2.80, over Astara, Mystery Show and Glass Slipper, all on $6. Bella Gioia is at $7. Mystery Show is going to be difficult to hold out.
Her performance to finish third to Astara in the Soliloquy Stakes was extraordinary. She dropped to the tail of the field, was hampered early in the home straight when looking for clear air and sprinted brilliantly to be beaten 1.3 lengths.
She has won in front, but her efforts when allowed to settle beyond mid-field have been exceptional. If the track plays fair to all runners, her finishing burst will be compelling.
"She has done well since she arrived and apart from being fiery going on to the track this morning, is in wonderful shape. I'm sure the playing up was just looking at new surroundings and I expect her to be okay tomorrow morning."
Ritchie and Logan are both happy with their fillies, Ritchie believing that Bella Gioia's seventh behind Ugo Foscolo at Te Rapa last start is not indicative of her form.
After six starts, Glass Slipper is still a maiden, but she shouldn't be. A true indication of her talent was her strong finish to be narrowly beaten by Astara in the Soliloquy, suggesting real prospects here.
Royal Fashion, at $14, also adds class. She has won only one race, but in March as a juvenile it took Luna Rossa to narrowly beat her at Trentham and she was only 2.9 lengths from Ugo Foscolo at Te Rapa last start.
The one they all have to beat is the beautifully-bred La Diosa, by So You Think from the stakes-winning Star Way mare Star Affair.
Her form has been stunning, including victory over Heroic Valour last start at Ashburton and suggests she is ready to step up for her toughest assignment yet.