At the comparative odds, Delago's Secret (No4, R3) might be a better option than the favourite Beauty's Beast (No1).
Delago's Secret looked good in winning a special conditions at Te Rapa two races back then failed when he made the giant step up to the Avondale Guineas. Forgive him that and he looks much better placed here.
Beauty's Beast is classy though and this could be one of the better races on the programme.
Vibrant (No9, R4) falls into the forgive category. Pretty much nothing has gone right for this mare lately and last start, when beaten favourite at Ellerslie, she was squeezed out the back at the start and never got into the race. That's unlikely to repeat here and from an inside gate she appeals.
So does Absolutely Sacred (No5), who got home nicely for third over 1200m at Ellerslie last week and who will appreciate today's 1400m.
Zero Toa Hundred (No4) for the multiples.
Killarney Kid (No6) has looked a real up-and-comer at times and his Ellerslie win last start was certainly no fluke. He's probably not an easy horse to ride, but from No1 in the gates and with Vinny Colgan up he should be well served. Tough race this and Chazelle (No7) on her consistency and breeding (High Chapparal from a Zabeel mare) gets a B, so is a relatively big nod.
Moneytree (No4, R6) is definitely in the forgive camp. After a luckless third at Ellerslie two starts back he went out favourite on that track last Saturday, but was never put in the race and, after a slow pace, could not run on. Forget that and back up here.
Beyond Desire (No5) is well worth consideration.
After an excellent Matamata win, La Valeta (No9, R7) went to Trentham to tackle Natuzzi and company and after a luckless run finished fifth to that runner. That was a massive step up and she drops back in grade significantly today and will take all sorts of beating.
So Wotif (No1) is hugely talented, but he has had issues and has been spelled. He's come back and won a Cambridge barrier trial and is relatively fit, but the question needs to be asked whether he's fit enough to give a rock hard horse like La Valeta 4.5kg in his first start since December 28.
He's every bit as good as we think if he can.
It's a shame if a name like Little Wonder (No2, R9) creates the impression of a waif, because he's absolutely not. He's a pocket battleship that does not lack intimidation and proved in beating the talented Rich 'n' Unhitched at Ellerslie last start he can clean up most opposition. He goes up 1.5kg this time and 57kg is about as much as you like to see a horse of his size carry, but a top class heart overcomes those factors every time.
It's A Dundeel has significantly drifted out in price in the A$1.5 million BMW since it was reported early in the week he might have had a foot problem, but he's been well cleared of that issue. You could last night get around $4.30 - $4.40 and that's great odds.
Yes, he raced a bit dour in the 2000m Ranvet last start, but his third was not out of the ballpark and the 2400m should suit today.
It will also suit fellow New Zealander Silent Achiever, the Ranvet winner, and it should be a great contest between that pair and Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente. The weather will have a massive final call.
