KEY POINTS:
When you have a long-time $1.80 favourite for a $275,000 race you don't need too many negatives crossing your path.
John Sargent has had more than enough of them this week as he counts Naturo down to the New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas at Riccarton tomorrow.
First he
lost his rider Opie Bosson to a suspension at Ellerslie on Tuesday then saw the Riccarton track soften with rain.
Naturo has a not-for-sale-at-any-price tag around her neck, which means this race is all-important to her CV.
The type of worries Sargent has experienced this week can sabotage big-race plans.
But the clouds have cleared from around the Matamata trainer.
He is happy now to have Noel Harris as a replacement in the saddle and indications yesterday were that the Riccarton surface was drying from the midweek rain.
Sargent considers himself unlucky to have had to consider a jockey change.
"Had that meeting been on a Wednesday he would have been allowed to fulfil his Saturday engagements.
"But Noel also rides for me and he's a big-race jockey.
"I'm happy to have him on."
Naturo was beaten by Imananabaa and a wet track at Te Rapa last start and Sargent has been sweating on conditions at Riccarton.
"We all know she needs firm ground because she's a big strider."
Riccarton course manager Bart Cowan says if the forecast is correct that the Christchurch weather is clearing then he is predicting a rating of good.
"It was 3.2 and dead last night and I think it'll come back to something like 2.6."
Given that, and even luck, Naturo should win.
She has a powerful finish and the long, roomy Riccarton home straight will suit magnificently.
"She's travelled down there well with Veil," said Sargent.
The trainer is not counting the cash until the finish line is crossed.
"Imananabaa and Princess Coup are going to be hard to beat."
Princess Coup has had four starts since finishing last behind Naturo in the Breeders Stakes at Matamata in February and has won them all.
"You seem to be able to place her anywhere in a field and she can really run home. She's by Encosta De Largo and she'll be well ready. Definitely hard to beat."
Jim Gibbs and stable rider Cameron Lammas are looking for better luck with Imananabaa than they experienced with Kerry O'Reilly in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup.
Kerry O'Reilly just missed the cut to take home a A$110,000 ($126,000) also-ran payment in the Cup.
As much as the wet track beat Naturo in the 3-year-old race at Te Rapa last start, Imananabaa was impressive in winning.
She has been difficult for the stable to manage and looks to be improving.
* The TAB odds last night:
$1.85 Naturo, $7 Princess Coup, $7.50 Imananabaa, $12 Dorabella, $16 Velvet And Satin.