Racing: McDonald to help Pick6 punters

Poppy Rose is worth consideration for the second leg of the Pick6 at Matamata today. Photo / Sarah Ivey

There appear to be at least two, possibly three, anchor shortcuts to a share of the $75,000 Pick6 at Matamata today.

Lean on James McDonald to kick things along in the opening legs aboard Papilio, Essaouria and especially Lady Krovanh (leg three).

With a decent spread in legs four and five that should leave us live with just the locally trained New Zealand Derby hopeful Revelator needed in the last.

Leg one: Papilio, the patiently handled daughter of dual group-two winner Lafleur, looks ready to strike. She hasn't had much luck since quitting maidens at Taupo in September. With a more economical run, James McDonald should be able to pounce late. There should be no shortage of early speed. One of those he will have to overtake in the final 200m is likely to be last-start winner Thorn Star, who should be included as back-up. The Matamata filly won too well last time out on the course to suggest she won't make the step-up and races like the 1400m will suit.

Leg two: Essaouria can pick up where her 3-year-old season ended. She got into a tricky spot after an awkward jump fresh-up at Te Rapa on November 5. She was running on nicely enough at the finish without ever hitting top gear. With that run under her belt and an extra 200m, watch for her to unleash the big finish she showed with an impressive maiden win for McDonald at Te Rapa in May over this distance. Stablemate Saw Her Walkin By has the ability to push Essaouria the closest. After three runs back she's at peak fitness for this. She had her excuses when fifth last time out at Tauranga. This field is a notch below that. Poppy Rose and Sateka, yet another prepared by Lance Noble, are also worth including if the budget permits.

Leg three: It's tempting to anchor Lady Krovanh after her big debut second on this course behind Thorn Star last month. She lost valuable ground at the jump yet still finished less than two lengths from the winner. The daughter of a Zabeel mare will also be suited to an extra 200m today. If you can afford to go wider consider the debutante Notsofallible. He's a half-brother by Falkirk to the ill-fated Lion Tamer who won a listed race on debut this time two years ago.

Leg four: Open the shoulders here - there's a stack of chances. Straight Furrow is an obvious include. He's been thereabouts in similar-strength races lately. The blinkers come off today which may help him settle and he's also aided by a 3kg claim. Captain Cruising won narrowly last-start at Gisborne but did so in a manner which suggests the extra 400m today shouldn't stop him. Lydian Prince is a tad sharper than his last-start miss suggests. He could be at decent double-figure odds. Savabeel Star, Proposed, Juliann and Mirror Mirror only add to the confusion.

Leg five: Party Cat signed off her last campaign with a narrow but impressive win over the smart Starpin over 1200m at Te Rapa in March. Her tune-up for fourth on the same course earlier this month should have her spot on for a repeat. She has the gate speed to take full advantage of her inside alley. Local Boy Star is much better than his past two starts suggest and is a course winner. You can see him diving through on the fence if a run presents itself in the straight. The listed-placed She's A Cougar has to be in the mix from her place in the handicap. With Henry Wong's 4kg claim she's ideally placed with 51.5kg to win her fourth race from just 15 attempts.

Leg six: Tighten the spend again with just local Revelator on the ticket. The long-range New Zealand Derby nominee was a brave second to subsequent 1000 Guineas runner-up Abeautifulred over 1400m at Te Teko last month. The promising Zabeel gelding is going to love the extra 200m he strikes today. Juggernaut Rock represents some value for those with deeper pockets. He's also headed for the Ellerslie classic in March and looked smart winning a trial there earlier this month.