Jim Gibbs knows he has two points to overcome with Imananabaa in the $120,000 Manawatu Sires' Produce.
Number one is he is very aware the two-race filly lacks experience going into the last of the country's two group one juvenile races.
Secondly, he knows he is battling a temperament lessthan ideal against a few of the major hopes who have shown themselves to be very professional.
Imananabaa looked remarkable winning at Matamata last start when resuming from a break.
The classy filly had shown plenty of ability finishing fourth, promoted to third, in her debut in the $30,000 Listed Gosling Chapman Juvenile on Avondale Cup day on October 30.
With a half decent break she could well have won that race.
But her maiden win at Matamata, even though in much easier company, was just as impressive.
She drew wide, got back, made a sustained run around the field and kept going strongly to win stylishly.
Gibbs liked the Avondale run. "The winner that day was Jokers Wild and his form stacks up."
Gibbs admits the stable has had a difficult time with Imananabaa. "We aimed her at the Breeders' Stakes here, but we took her to the trials and she flipped twice and got away.
"We had to back off that race and take her to an easier race here last meeting."
Gibbs rates Imananabaa as a real 3-year-old type, but does not concede much for tomorrow.
"She's a big filly who will get better, but if she goes down [to Manawatu] and settles well she's in there with a hope."
Co-trainer Trevor McKee is hoping for better luck with Solvini, one of the beaten runners behind Jokers Wild at group one level at Ellerslie last start, even though this time the class filly has drawn barrier No 16.
"Last start I thought she almost jumped too well from her inside barrier and left herself a bit of a sitting duck for the others. Probably the fence [inside] wasn't the place to be that day and I thought she did well."
Whether or not the inside is the place to be this time, McKee would be pleased to see the filly get close to it before the first bend at the end of the back straight.
