KEY POINTS:
Shaune Ritchie recently had some of his confidence eroded that Magic Cape could make a winning return from a breakdown when he competes at Ruakaka tomorrow.
Ritchie had Magic Cape on track to add to his impressive fresh-up record, but the cancellation of the recent Avondale barrier trials
took away an important element of his preparation.
Magic Cape hasn't raced since the Cox Plate last October and a subsequent leg problem.
"I'm delighted with the way he's come up," said Ritchie of his 2000 Guineas winner.
"But the cancellation of the Avondale trials and my reluctance to give him an exhibition gallop on the very heavy tracks we've had on recent racedays means he's had to do all his work at home."
Ritchie says he's not confident Magic Cape can win ... but he's not expecting him to finish last either.
"The big thing that will help is the small field [seven].
"If it were a 10 or 11-horse field you'd be a further three lengths behind them on the home bend and that would make the task that much more difficult."
Ritchie had planned to have Magic Cape ridden by stable apprentice Roxanne Rattley, but with no claims allowed in the race he has engaged Leith Innes.
Magic Cape will have only a barrier trial at Taupo after this race as he pushes forward to the Mudgway Partsworld Stakes at Hastings at the end of the month.
Fellow Cambridge galloper Gaze is heading in the same direction and like Magic Cape is coming back from a break.
Gaze is a quality mare who has previously won twice while fresh and has one start at Ruakaka for a win.
The conditions will be interesting.
Yesterday the Ruakaka surface was listed at a slow 9. Northland has had a massive amount of rain, but the sandy nature of Ruakaka ensures the track never gets deep.
Course specialist and beach-trained Who Knows and McKee stablemates Star Of Rio and Tenjuberrymud help ensure the small field will create an interesting contest.
Sand Hawk, Cape Kinaveral, Rural Bank and Sable are all backing up from last week's Taumarunui Cup at Te Rapa to run in the Spilt Bar and Restaurant 2100 at Ruakaka.
Sand Hawk, a previous winner on the track, has been in great form and his third to Strapped For Cash last week was a solid effort, despite the winner's wide margin. He rises in weight but this field looks weaker.