KEY POINTS:
It's doubtful two 2-year-old races worth just $6500 will have been as closely watched as the pair we're going to see at Taupo tomorrow.
The two juvenile dashes are going to provide a hugely significant guide to the $1 million Karaka Million late in January.
Recent barrier trials
meetings in the north have been awash with stylish unraced 2-year-old talent, much of which is to make its first public raceday appearance tomorrow.
Race 5 will see a clash between Murphy, whose debut has been much-awaited, and Matamata's Straitothepoolroom.
Murphy has impressively won three barrier trials for his Cambridge part owner and trainer Anne Herbert, the most recent at Cambridge last week.
On Thursday Herbert took Murphy and her two $200,000 Railway hopes Baldessarini and Tatlock to Te Aroha for a gallop, as much for the benefits of the float trip as the workout.
A good guide to Murphy's chances tomorrow was the fact he finished alongside talented filly Martini Red at the end of their gallop.
"Very pleased with that," said Herbert. "Martini Red is not only a year older, she's very smart."
Martini Red carried her trainer Ross Elliot and with raceday jockey Reese Jones aboard, Murphy had a decent impost for a baby.
Elliot was pleased with the gallop as a trial for Tuesday's Railway.
Two weeks ago Martini Red beat a smart field at Te Rapa and the all-important Railway barrier draw today will determine her chances.
Straitothepoolroom has impressed trainer John Sargent.
A recent Avondale barrier trial win was stylish, with the youngster working right away from the others.
At No 2, Straitothepoolroom has drawn inside Murphy at No 4, which might be significant. Onesong, in the same race, was another impressive trials winner at Avondale.
The first juvenile, Race 3, contains four notable trials winners and Alberton Princess and Pure Strike who both made fine debuts.
Harrington is a Stravinsky colt from Blackrock College, raced by co-breeders Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan and trainer John Wheeler. The colt won a barrier trial in early December and will be ridden by Lisa Cropp.
Pocket Diary is by Jungle Pocket from Dear Diary, trained by the Rogerson/Newham partnership. He is a Te Awamutu trials winner.
Mark Walker's youngster Tell A Tale (Tale Of The Cat - Cheeky Veronika) impressed winning at last week's Cambridge trials.
And Richard Collett's Claire de Vine (Zeditave-Climb The Vine) has won two Avondale trials in October and December.
This meeting will be closely monitored for the Karaka Million.