There is no doubt you frown when you look at the 71kg clear topweight Sea King will be required to carry in tomorrow's Hawke's Bay Hurdles.
But to put you mind to rest just a little go back and watch Sea King's three lengths victory over Upper Cut at Trenthamlast start.
In an extremely valiant win, Sea King achieved his goal quite easily under 70kg. There is no doubt he would have won that carrying an additional 1kg.
Which makes his task this time achievable. If Sea King as a rising 11-year-old is starting to wind back on his career with bankings of $715,000 from 18 wins, it wasn't obvious a couple of weeks ago.
Relative newcomer Ooee was right in the fight approaching the last fence in the Waikato Hurdles last start and wilted only in the final 75m. On a slightly easier track this time he should be right in the fight.
The $50,000 Hawke's Bay Steeplechase is an interesting field with Just Ishi appealing with his record of two wins from three steeple starts. The 4kg he receives from topweight Mr Mor should be a very telling fact in the closing stages.
Fair Script will find this track easier than Ellerslie last start when conditions got the better of him. Kings Deep has had only two steeplechases, but looked strong at the end of his win at Trentham last start in extremely deep conditions.
At Te Rapa conditions will depend on the extent of the rain today and overnight. The official rating yesterday was a slow 7, so clearly it may not require a huge amount to slide into the heavy zone.
Ruakaka winner Francis Drake got the conditions he required when he won on the slightly dead track last start and may not be as comfortable in the wet in the $25,000 Jumpflex NZ 2100. He has been four times placed on slow and heavy tracks, but has yet to win one in eight starts. But this is not a strong field.
In the heavy, Jochen Rindt can produce a big result. This is not as strong as the field he finished third in last start on this track.
Te Rapa tips
• Fraction easier here: Fire Jet, R2, Te Rapa. Close third to smart type in Battle Time at Ellerslie. Should go close.
• Likes the track: Nina Arora, R9, Te Rapa. Big run to be narrowly beaten here last start. Even field, but looks a great each way prospect.
• At odds for a place: Annabelinda, R7, Te Rapa: Good record second-up from a break.
