Racing: Hannam prays for a winner to pay for petrol bill

Robert Hannam. Photo / APN

If you think you have a tough commute to work, spare a thought for Robert Hannam's drive to the office today.

The busy Palmerston North-based 44-year-old, better known as "The Pope" is making a 10-hour round trip to Tauranga for a 90-second assignment.

Hannam has been lured north by the chance to partner Pinzee in the $12,000 R80 1400m, a key leg for punters chasing the $100,000 terminating Pick6.

The pair trailed the smart Snave home last time out at New Plymouth and Hannam is confident the Bob Autridge-trained Matamata mare is worth the trek.

"That was a good run last start," said Hannam, who has a soft spot for Tauranga - he rode Tall Poppy to win the 1999 Tauranga Classic in a track record 1:20.5s for 1400m.

"She was well beaten, but she was beaten by a better horse on the day.

"Looking at the field, I think she'll be more than competitive in that."

Hannam warms up aboard Lets Zumba (leg two), an each-way chance in the maiden 2100m for Autridge's son Stephen. But Pinzee looks his best chance to pick up a little more than just the gas money.

The on-pace seven-race winner hit form this time last year, winning an R90 event at New Plymouth before a third place this course and distance in the listed Tauranga Classic.

Hannam, who has had a quieter time lately compared with his career best 2009/10 streak, is also confident of a win aboard Baltis in the R70 1400m at Awapuni tomorrow.

Other Pick6 anchors today include James McDonald's mount She's Invincible in leg four, the R70 1200m.

She ploughed through the mud at Matamata for an effortless last-start maiden win.

With just 54.5kg against a moderate lot, she should be too slick again.

Local, So Bling is a must-include in the opening leg. He ran third fresh-up this course in April and may appreciate a slightly improved track than the two he has struck since.

You will need to go wide in legs two and three, in which past course winner Five Sails is worth some thought, but She's Invincible and Pinzee give you the leeway to do that.

Ason could be some value in the final leg, the maiden 1200m.

One of only two mounts on the day for Vinny Colgan, the No Excuse Needed filly looked promising in her first two-start campaign.

She debuted for a close-up third at Rotorua behind Ishma before ruining her chances as favourite next-up at Tauranga when hanging.

Ason looked forward to resume when winning a 800m trial on a heavy Ellerslie on May 10.

Although a distant last-start third as favourite at Rotorua, give Marabeel one more chance in this type of field, especially with McDonald aboard.

A slightly less testing surface should help.

La Pinnicle, the mount of another CD visitor Lisa Allpress, is also a must-include for multiple-takers, and if the budget can stretch throw in Black Berry Punch and Emphasis.

Both have shown enough in limited tries to be afforded a hope in this calibre of field.