Bank on a big outlay to hit record jackpot

Marciano has been disappointing but is capable of dealing a knockout blow. Photo / Supplied.

At least the jackpot has swollen to a record guaranteed mid-week prize of $500,000, which could approach $600,000 as punters chase an early Christmas present.

The Pick6 at Matamata today has no obvious anchors and a stack of potential upsets lurking among debutants and well-tried maidens, particularly as at the time of writing the track was rated a slow (9).

The Lance Noble-trained Sateka (leg two) shapes as the best cost-cutter.

Her last-start third suggests she's on the verge of her third career win. She won at the same meeting last year and is always a threat in this grade.

Leg One: Go as wide as the budget permits; it's a tricky way to kick-off. Multiple essentials include Lance Noble's well-drawn trial winner Elway and last-start raceday runners-up Miss Kimbra and Petty Cury. Both made good enough fists of their debuts to suggest this calibre of field is well within their scope. Others to consider are a freshened Caitlyns Boy, with Alex Forbes' 3kg claim; the well-bred Veronica Hall and recent trial winner Latin Storm.

Leg Two: Local mare Sateka should be ready to strike. She won the same race last year off a similar lead-in. This field is overall a tad weaker than the one she struck at Tauranga and she should get the perfect trip in transit. If you can afford insurance throw in last-start maiden graduate St Mark, the well-bred stablemate Maciano and likely leader Cap Ferrat. St Mark, a long-range NZ Derby hope, had to be smart to win at Te Awamutu after missing the kick and improving wide.

Leg Three: Jubilate should have learned plenty from his debut at Rotorua for third on December 1. He raced greenly throughout and was shuffled back to last on the corner after checking off the heels of runner-up Mr Trim, again a rival today. He looks like a handy sort well capable of striking in this line-up. Throw in Mr Trim again. He had his chance to run past Ascot Hill at Rotorua but should have improved with that effort, his first race since May. Round out the multiple spread with at least Bonnie Mac on the ticket. She was blocked twice inside the final 400m on debut this course last month so did well to still finish fifth.

Leg Four: Costello is much smarter than his recent formline suggests. The Matamata 4-year-old reappeared in a stronger field than this at Te Rapa last month and only weakened late for sixth. Next time out, he had to work hard from an outside alley to take a sit in behind the speed and fought on okay without much room near the line. From the three gate, 3kg claimer Alex Forbes should have no trouble finding his preferred spot in front and be tough to catch at double-figure odds. Impressive last-start maiden winner Sophias Dream looks the biggest threat in the best field of the day. Cathay Lady is also well above average and must be included on any serious multiple.

Leg Five: Guns At Five has had wretched luck since his maiden win over 1600m at Gisborne last month. Two starts back he ran out of room when running home late for sixth at Te Rapa behind Ghostinthemachine. Last time out he had too much leeway to make up behind Chicarita but did well to close late for seventh. Hopefully, he can make use of his inside draw today and the breaks come on the corner when rider Mark Hills needs them. Viva La Vida and Needastar, who finished second and third respectively in their last Matamata outing, are definite back-up hopes. Viva La Vida had no luck that day when trapped wide throughout. This trip will also suit. He was an impressive maiden winner this course and distance in January.

Leg Six: Arguably the toughest of all legs. The always well-backed Kings Fortune is an obvious include, although he is starting to test the patience. Give him one more chance with blinkers on for the first time. Halogen wasn't that far away when eighth in a far stronger field at Trentham. His fresh-up effort for second to Pellegrini brings him right into the frame for this. The richly-bred Valediction (Zabeel-Madam Valeta) could be the big improver from his luckless debut, and Beauty Leap's effort for fourth at Tauranga was good enough for inclusion here too. She was trapped wide throughout yet fought bravely for fourth. The Roger James-trained fillies Game Time and Shutout only add to the confusion. Watch the tote for a guide on their chances.