Travino is an important element in the first leg of the Pick6, close to an anchor for some.
McKay reports that the talented colt has come through his Queensland Magic Millions trip in good shape and is working as well as just before he left for Australia.
As the winner of three, Travino comes in well in a set-weights contest.
Irish Rebel is the interesting runner. He has been the beaten favourite in his last two appearances, but if he produced an effort similar to the one that saw him waltz away in his debut he could win this. The home track this time could be the key.
This column has to take its first punt and say the track will come back in reasonable shape - these tips are based that way.
A horse's first start beyond 1600m is never easy, but La Vienne (No 7, R1) might be worth the risk. She has looked stylish getting home strongly in shorter races and her barrier draw should see her in the one-off line in running. Shez Kapable (No 8) didn't get much luck last start.
Bella Vi (No 6, R2) was another who went around luckless last start, in her case at Trentham. Buddy Lammas had to pull her to the extreme outside to get racing room and she produced a sustained finish. If she's in the first half of the field on the home bend she will take some holding out. Goldie Cantride (No 13) would have won at Awapuni last time if the gap had opened sooner. The odds here should be useful.
You have to tip Petty Cury (No 4, R3), but as smart as she is, she has a few things against her this time. She tried 1400m for the first time at Ellerslie last start and the extra 200m saw her race away untested.
She drops back to 1200m here and to make it worse has drawn the outside gate.
Difficult to imagine careful trainer Don Sellwood sending his talented filly around if the added complication of an off track existed.
She creates a puzzle if she starts because she's better than these, but the balancing factors are significant. Local Beauty Supreme (No 3) deserves a win after three excellent performances this preparation. The 2kg claim will be an assist.
Race 4, the sprint, is a lovely line-up, but it is full of danger. This is the race on the programme that could be a trap. Only tip is don't underestimate former Australian-trained mare Do Ra Mi (No 2). She is better performed than most of these and showed she was ready to resume with an Ellerslie barrier trial victory. Behind her that day was Eagle Mountain.
There is almost always a cringe factor around mares carrying 59kg, but there is only a 2.5kg weight spread in Race 6 and that gives the two topweights C'mon Cuba (No 1) and O'Fille (No 3) a chance. C'mon Cuba is smart when right as she showed when she went down in the last couple of strides to Nippon at Te Rapa when resuming. With natural improvement she should be very competitive today. In eight starts O'Fille has missed the 1-2-3 just once.
Silk Pins (No 1, R7) has only to be in the order she was when run down late by Ockham's Razor in the Karaka Million to give these fillies all they need in the Matamata Breeders. Co-trainer Keith Hawtin says she is.
Silk Pins has had a couple of unlucky runs, without which her career record of just four starts would look even better.
By season's end she will be rated very highly. Lady de Chine (No 5) has drawn badly, but can't be left out of the Pick6. Stablemates Rollout The Carpet (No 4) and Pouri Chimes (No 3) have plenty of ability.
The last three races are complicated equations. You had to like the way Viadana (No 8, R8) looked in trouble, but still burst away to win at Trentham last time. She is looking good and has a home track advantage this time. Difficult race to sort, but stablemates Shantaine (No 4) and Acapela (No 2) need to be in the mix.
Difficult to get enthusiastic about the open handicap. Options (No 6, R9) is useful and didn't get a lot of luck at Te Rapa last time and trainer Stephen McKee is trying something different to try to get Starcheeka (No 12) back to form.
McKee is of the opinion that Starcheeka has not been enjoying his big weights lately and has put him in a much better race to significantly drop the handicap. He comes down from 59kg to 53kg. That is huge.
The last is very tough, but don't discount Leica Duell (No 10), who got too far back in the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic and never got into the race. This will be different.
Last night, the Otaki track was rated as a dead four and if the weather holds the footing could be right for Guiseppina (No 8, R8) to give favourite Veyron (No 2) all he needs in the big Haunui Farm Classic.
But it needs to be good. Don't leave The Hombre (No 5) out of multiples. That was an impressive win last start and he is right up to the best company.
