Racing: Dry conditions would suit dashing Cent Home fine

Cent Home and the Kiwis running in Melbourne are the key to punting today.

The weather is forecast to remain dry in Hawkes Bay which makes Cent Home the central betting figure for the $100,000 Mudgway Partsworld Stakes.

Cent Home has not raced for 10 months, but has had a huge preparation and is such a dashing sort he would run a big race if only 70 per cent fit. He's a lot fitter than that and that's good enough to make him a great bet.

There is scope for a good trifecta. There are plenty of chances, but the ones to focus on to couple up with Cent Home (No3) in the quinella and trifecta are The Message (No1), Cheiron (No5), Integrate (No12), Tall Poppy (No 13) and Cinder Bella (No14). If you wanted to throw another one in Kaapstad Way (No6) is worth the risk.

Watch for a big fresh-up run from High Grove (No13, R9). She is all class and with Michael Walker aboard she can finish over the top of what is a good field. Mr Esteem (No4) and Call Me Zeus (No7) are smart.

Ete Pins (No4, R10) is unbeaten fresh and is unbeaten in three starts at Hastings. She is a natural leader and if the track remains firm, that should suit the pattern today. Watch for Lord Presto (No11) and Michael Walker to be running home over the top of most of them.

Sir Albert (No10, R2) has had a tough time jumping to PQ class in only four starts, but he has exceptional ability and should go close to making if four from five. Mi Okesene (No6) goes well fresh.

Useful bets at Ellerslie today, regardless of whether the rain arrives are Zabeels Angel (No3, R2), Drizzle (No6, R6) and Faiross (No3, R8). Don't be put off by Zabeels Angel being beaten in the wet at Te Rapa last start, the track was simply too much of a bog. She will cope with whatever she strikes today.

Royal Ways (No1, R7) looks the go for the Pakuranga Hunt Cup. He is New Zealand's best staying 'chaser and if Tony Cole says he's as good as he's been in his career, that's good enough for us. The opposition is a mixed lot and the state of the track may play a big part in what forms the trifecta around Royal Ways.

If the track remains reasonable, look for a big fresh-up run from Straight Back (No2, R9), who impressed in winning at the recent Te Teko trials. He represents good class and the better the footing the better his chances.

This is the first weekend of big Kiwi representation in Australia's spring carnivals, particularly in Melbourne.

Ad Alta (No16) is trying to make a fresh start with a win in the $A200,000 Liston Stakes at Sandown in Melbourne and while it is a big job, she can do it.

She has improved with her Te Teko trial and while the wide barrier draw is not ideal, she has the class to overcome it for Sydney rider Jamie Innes.

There was rain in Melbourne yesterday and the Sandown footing is predicted to be between easy and soft. The better the footing the better her chance, but an easy track will be no problem.

The other New Zealander in the field, Zapeace (No17) looked good winning at Caulfield last start. Shizu (No15) is the roughie and watch for La Zagaletta (No2).

There is plenty of form against Kiwi 3-year-old Winged Foot in the $A100,000 Vain Stakes, but much of it has been against only fair company and the Ellerslie Sires Produce Stakes winner can feature.

Melbourne trainer Lee Freedman will produce former Kiwi mare Sarwatch for the first time in today's $A100,000 Cockram Stakes. She is a bit better than most of the opposition.

Trainer Bruce Wallace does not expect his Auckland Cup winner Able Master to feature in his first start of a new campaign in Race 1 in Sydney today, but says watch out for a middle distance race.