Racing: Dead track may not hinder Katie Lee

Katie Lee adds a touch of class to proceedings at Ruakaka tomorrow. Photo / Supplied

Co-trainer Debbie Rogerson wants to get this weekend over with before settling on immediate spring plans for Katie Lee.

Last season's champion 3-year-old filly and overall 3-year-old champion resumes over 1200m at Ruakaka tomorrow.

The Rogerson stable had been hoping for a good track to resume on and although that won't be possible, the footing will be better than could be found elsewhere for the mare.

The track yesterday was assessed as a dead (6).

"Just as we're looking to take her to Australia they're having as much rain as we are and they're running on heavy 10 tracks," said Rogerson, who trains in partnership with husband Graeme.

"We are going to have to sit down after the weekend and decide on a plan for her, worked out around the best tracks available to her over there."

Rogerson said the stable had been able to get Katie Lee 90 per cent fit for her resuming run.

"She's drawn awkwardly at No 1. Sometimes these small fields can create tactical races and the inside gate is not always the best place to be.

"She will acquit herself well."

The stable also has Cent Per Cent and Rendzina engaged in the race.

"Rendzina is at about the same fitness level as Katie Lee. She'll get back and run on and could be the smoky in the race.

"Cent Per Cent had a bit of a foot problem after he last raced so we've had to ease him and he should need the race."

Vincent Mangano and She Rules contribute to what is a very strong line-up.

Vincent Mangano was an easy barrier trial winner at Te Teko and should be forward to resume. He has previously won when fresh.

Waitui Zone will find the drop back from handicap racing to an R90 in his favour in Race 6.

An apprentice claim off his 58kg will help.

His stablemate Winning Genes has been in overall good form, despite his eighth in a stronger race at Hastings last start and can figure.

* Of more immediate concern is the meeting at Te Rapa today, a track at which previous form is a top guide.

Add to that winning form on a rain-affected surface and you have suddenly got a horse you want to back.

Singapore Sling has had only the two career starts, the first of which was a winning performance on a slow Te Rapa track in early July.

You can pretty much forget the Starcraft filly went around in the Ryder Stakes when she was hampered badly for clear running, before finishing mid-field.

Starcraft is very much looking like he's going to make a great success of his stallion career and Singapore Sling could provide him with a small success in Race 7 at Te Rapa this afternoon.

The surprise in the small field could be Belle De Jeu, who is much better than her form reads on paper.

Her last-start fifth behind The Cruncher at Te Rapa was a sound performance, coming from a long way off the pace.

The much smaller field this time will better suit her back running style.

If Roger James decides this morning to run Macavity in Race 5 she should be difficult to manage.

She failed to pull off a punt on debut, but her close second to highly talented The Diamond Duke was a fabulous run.

The stock of Keeper are always better at three and can pretty much all handle wet tracks.

Road To Rio, now with Ben Foote, should be hard to beat in Race 2 on her resuming effort for second.