Toorak Tower (left) gets a slightly lighter weight in race 7 today. Photo / Trish Dunell
From heavy 11 tracks to a strip they will run 1200m on in 1m 12s at Ruakaka today.
Not so special if you are an owner paying transport costs, but a relief for punters and race watchers.
A punt on how many local winners the Donna Logan/Chris Gibbs stable will win today is never an easy option, but zero would be a dumb bet.
One race that is possibly safe is Race 2 with one start filly Kyrie Eleison looking good from a nice barrier. The filly, racing in the twin green of Sir Patrick Hogan, is by O'Reilly from a Zabeel mare and showed great potential when second here at the last meeting.
From three back along the inside rail she flashed home late to just miss. With that experience behind her she should be up to quitting maidens today. For a saver on the quinella market you could do worse than Kane.
Another quinella result worth considering is Amarula (No1, R5) and Fire Jet (No4). Amarula won with 60kg in a particularly brave effort at Te Rapa last start and remains on the same weight. Fire Jet could finish only fifth in that race, but it was only his second race right-handed and he did not look comfortable in the shifty footing. He will be much better suited today and don't be surprised if he tests the favourite. Spider (No6) is the threat for the trifecta.
Dancing Light (No5, R1) would have been outright favourite for the opener but for barrier No 18. That will reduce to No 12 with the emergencies out and that poses a question - do you still take the risk and put her on top, or leave her out? The first of those options might be best. The dangers are Feel The Breeze (No7) and Lily Grecia (No6). The Logan/Gibbs stable believe Amazing Lady (No10, R3) has improved since her first-up fourth and from the rails draw and with Chris Johnson in the saddle she will get her chance. Avant (No11) is right in contention and Amazing Lady's stablemate El Fortuna (No1) is a strong chance.
The juvenile, the Tavistock Owners Syndicate, is something of a mystery. You either embrace the view that Countessa Vanessa's (No1,R4) two straight winning runs give her this race, or you were greatly impressed with Florence Jean (No9) winning on debut here early in the season. She came back for one further run, but was clearly not herself and comes back fresh for this. If she is in the same form that created the first victory she and Countessa Vanessa will provide a fascinating contest.
Any win in horse racing is a gigantic thrill, but is anyone else caught yawning during the running of the stayers that go around in Race 6, the Northern Timber Beams and Posts? Don't be afraid to own up - you're in good company. They don't need jockeys, they know their way around. The Logan/Gibbs stable have three of the nine runners and we will go for one of them , Zafrenzy(No2). Bet if you can stay awake.
Toorak Tower (No1, R7) is a different case. He could end up very good.
He looked lanky and under developed when first produced and strengthened for his last start, which he won.
He was getting tired late and Logan tells the Weekend Herald the big, bold bloke is fitter for this. The 1kg off his 60kg should be beneficial. In an even line up behind him, Lord Snow (No2) makes some appeal.
Barcelo (No1, R8) has a problem late in the day - his outside gate. But he still makes a fair amount of appeal.
He will be improved for his first-up fourth in which he had no luck in running, being posted three wide without cover. Yes, that is a possibility again, but we will take the chance he cops it better here. City Boy (No2) can run a very good race.
The last is very open. Logan/Gibbs have three runners and we will go for I See Red (No11).