Northerner Latin Rose has just 53kg. Overall she has been racing in fairly strong classes in the north and will match up with many of these from her level in the handicap.
Her stablemate Cousteau makes appeal for the same reason when he takes on the Listed $50,000 Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes.
He won by a margin at Woodville last time out and prior looked good placing at Matamata. He won his only start on the heavy.
If you take Prom Queen's last start win in isolation you want to be on her here, but this is a fair bit stronger. Still, when they win by 9.5 lengths they deserve respect at any level. She has already won on rain-affected footing. Kiwi Ada and Disruption are there for the multiples.
Jumpers get their first attack at centre stage at Te Rapa tomorrow.
The major players Kevin Myers, John Wheeler and Paul Nelson are all liberally represented and take plenty of note for the form races ahead.
Northland trainers Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs might double their hand for next month's group one J.J. Atkins Stakes in Brisbane if promising youngster Not Usual Trip can stay unbeaten at Te Rapa tomorrow.
The two-year-old son of Stryker followed an Avondale trial win with a decisive -length Ellerslie win on debut to earn a start in tomorrow's Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1100m) at Te Rapa.
"We were very impressed," Gibbs said. "He was a bit green and I thought the Te Akau horse [runner-up Embellish] had us well covered on the home bend but I was stoked to see him show that turn of foot.
"He's trained on well and we're happy with him. He's going into this race in good order but it's a tough field. There are a lot of good, proven horses in there so it won't be easy."
While that respect for the opposition is clear, the fact that Not Usual Trip is on trial for Brisbane is a good indication of the opinion the stable has of the colt, especially when the stable already has last-start Listed Champagne Stakes winner Qiji Phoenix earmarked for the race.
"He'd probably go to Brisbane for the same two races as Qiji Phoenix - the QTC Sires' Produce and the J.J. Atkins but he'd have to win this weekend or be extremely unlucky to warrant travelling over," Gibbs said.
Qiji Phoenix and Queensland Derby hopeful Comin'Through flew to Brisbane yesterday, though stablemate Tavidream, another Queensland Derby hopeful that has been the subject of several offers, has remained at home.
"He can take the next available flight. We're just going to leave him at home and keep him ticking over at the moment with so much interest in the horse," Gibbs said. The Logan-Gibbs stable will also produce Zafrenzy, Command Royale and Greencast on the Te Rapa undercard.
Dynamo will take his first step toward a Group goal when he resumes at the Counties meeting today. The five-year-old, who is adept on rain-affected going, will make a fresh start in the Happy 65th Birthday Malcolm Wrigley.
"He's just about where we want him for his first-up run, he's got a long winter ahead of him," trainer Brendon Hawtin said. The winner of four of his 15 races, Dynamo will be partnered at Pukekohe Park by Sam Spratt, whose only previous ride on the Fully Fledged gelding resulted in success at Te Awamutu last winter.
Meanwhile, stablemate Quantum will also return to action at Te Rapa tomorrow in the Topsoil & Sand Supplies 1200.
Te Rapa tips
• Jumped well last year: Ngatira Gold, R2, Te Rapa. Built a good record last winter and that should stand by him here.
• Stiff last time: Keely Be, R8, Te Rapa. Blocked at Ellerslie last time to the races. Home track advantage here.
• Roughie: Playboy Prince, R7 Te Rapa. Not an everyday type, but useful at his best. Can surprise fresh.
- Additional reporting NZ Racing Desk
