On that basis, Bounding looks a great prospect. She was always likely to start favourite - she was $3.60 at the TAB last night - but that was assured when she drew barrier No 1.
The biggest danger to her might be the prospect of rain. The Te Rapa track will absorb a decent amount of any rain that arrives, but if the track became affected that would work against the speed horses and certainly against Bounding.
On a decent surface, Durham Town will be a danger. He has no form at Te Rapa - one unplaced run from one start - but there is no evidence that this sand-slit track is against him.
Scapolo will come into favouritism and be seen as the likely winner if significant rain makes a difference to the footing.
He has been beaten only once in seven starts on slow and heavy footing and some of those victories have been startling. Take no notice that his last start was at Greymouth, that is the style of his trainer Kevin Myers.
The TAB Final Field odds: $3.60 Bounding, $7 Scapolo, $9 Xanadu, $10 Nashville, Viadana; $14 Durham Town, Final Touch, Diamede; $18 Barbaric, $21 Ginner Hart, Sacred Star, Cosmic Cube, $26 Eight Schillings, $31 Pizzazz, $41 Jaggard, $61 Needlly.
The TAB has surprisingly made Historian the $4.80 favourite for the Herbie Dyke Stakes, although right behind on $5 are Shuka and Zurella.
The Solitaire is next on $7, followed by Postmans Daughter and Costume.
