Only a nose separated the pair when they last met in the Manawatu Sires in the autumn, with Anabandana just getting the verdict.
With Anabandana drawn gate No 7 and Antonio Lombardo just outside her, if anyone else has designs on leading they had better get going quickly.
It will be interesting to see the tactics of the two riders with Matt Cameron replacing Opie Bosson on Anabandana because of weight issues.
However, Anabandana does not have to lead, in fact, she did not lead in any of her sparkling juvenile victories.
Antonio Lombardo looks a better horse than when he last spied Anabandana. He is stronger and can maintain his high cruising speed for a long way.
Holy Moly and Artistic add strength to what should be a classic contest.
A couple of decent each-way bets at Te Rapa today look like Zonza in the first race.
He has shown plenty of promise in two starts and the blinkers go on today which should make a difference.
Zabisco in race 10 will be difficult to manage, even though it is a hot field.
He was flattened on the home bend here last start and did remarkably well to finish second. Prairie Star in race 4 is one of the better value bets.
She comes up quickly in her campaigns and the step up to 2000m today is what she has been looking for.
* Burgundy gave his $1.70 punters a fright when he momentarily looked beaten 400m out when in front in yesterday's $45,000 Ekraar at Linwood Park Canterbury Stakes at Riccarton.
The glamour colt led after outstripping the field by two lengths out of the barriers and set up his own comfortable pace.
He looked a little confused when on his own in front after rounding the home bend and rivals almost drew level. But once shaken up by Mathew Cameron he worked away to score by just short of two lengths.
