Don't be deterred by Agent Diva's wide barrier draw at Te Awamutu today.
A double-digit gate hasn't been the handicap to success you would expect over 1150m on such a turning track.
She looks the best anchor on a tough day for punters chasing a share of the $40,000 Pick6.
Leg One: It's tough to split the local trio of Roydon, Roamin and Mr Toogood. Take the stress out of things by including them all. Mr Toogood quit maidens this meeting last year over the same trip and has hinted a repeat effort may be close. NZ Derby hopeful Roamin beat a fair maiden line-up over 2100m at Te Rapa two starts back. He didn't get the best of trips next up in a far stronger field at Ellerslie. The Sanders-trained Roydon impressed quitting maidens here fresh-up over 1580m and had little luck in two subsequent runs. He's been off the scene for a few weeks but may race best with the breather.
Leg Two: Rossita looks suited to 2000m now after two warm-ups over 1400m and 1600m. She was unlucky not to win first-up at Tauranga and fought strongly next time out when third at Matamata. The NZ Oaks nominee Tilda has to also be included. in this calibre of field. She's an on-pace runner who ran into a smart one in Barney last time out when second over the same distance at Matamata. She's going to take some running down if she can pinch a break on the corner. Quest could be the upsetter if the budget can stretch to a chance outside the two obvious favourites. She's also nominated for the Oaks and will appreciate the step-up from 1670m at Paeroa when running on late.
Leg Three: Go wide again if you can afford to - there's a stack of chances. Pintsizedpunt has done enough to suggest he could be ready to strike. Disregard his last start effort when floundering in the Rotorua mud. His effort for sixth from an impossible gate at Tauranga in his previous run should ensure a following for this. He never got near the fence yet was still charging late desperate for clear air. Segunda won a trial here on January 17 before an encouraging debut third on a heavy Rotorua without all favours in the running. Perfect Warrior has also been thereabouts, despite not getting great runs in transit.
Leg Four: It's difficult to see Star Of Show not featuring again, even with a 2.5kg penalty from his last-start win over a similar trip at Pukekohe. This field is a notch below that and he's thriving. Course winner Tango Terrific looks the biggest threat. He's been sparingly raced this prep but goes well with the gap between races. He trounced them in a similar strength line-up last November with today's pilot James McDonald also aboard. For those seeking an upset, Magic Power, who has been placed here and will appreciate the better footing, is worth an each-way ticket.
Leg Five: The wide alley should not stop Agent Diva. She showed a ton of gate speed when third on debut and will have improved with the run. She won't get many easier chances. Local debutante She's My Girl could be worth including as back-up. She's shown enough at the trials to threaten in this type of field. The same can be said for stablemate Pure Grace.
Leg Six: This looks well within reach for a freshened Windswept. He was close-up in all four runs in her previous prep and should have strengthened considerably since. He's drawn out slightly but rider James McDonald should be able to use his natural gate speed to take a sit just off the pace. He jumped from a similar spot when third to the smart St Mark this course and distance in November. The Sanders-trained Cunninghams Gap will take a ton of catching based on his first-up effort at Tauranga. Those with bigger budgets should also consider a fresh-up Le Nuage and on-pace runner Another Find. Things didn't go his way at Rotorua last time out.