A clue to Maggie's chances at Te Rapa tomorrow can be found in her effort of five starts ago.
Her overall form on paper may not look smart, but Maggie is a lot more talented than that.
She proved it when she pushed class mare Platonic to three-quartersof a length in the $30,000 Lion Red Stakes at Counties in September.
Considering Ethereal was a further 1 1/2 lengths back on her way to winning the Caulfield and Melbourne cups, Maggie's effort deserves recognition.
She tailed off in three further starts before being spelled, and resumed with a big fifth behind Mr Emperor at Ellerslie two weeks ago.
She got back and ran on nicely and is certain to be improved for the race. The jump from 1400m to 1600m will also help.
Two of Maggie's four wins have been at Te Rapa and she has won on both soft and heavy tracks.
Lynsey Hofmann, who knows the mare so well, has the ride again.
Although the 58kg will not be easy for a mare, Maggie's opposition is a long, long way down on Platonic and Ethereal.
Singing Class failed completely to run on when beaten favourite at Ellerslie last start, but she is trained left-handed and has a much better record at Te Rapa.
She handles heavy tracks well and the wide barrier draw late in the programme should be more of an advantage than disadvantage.
Hot Streak also has a good record on this track and he should be fitter for a first-up seventh here last month, where he ran on well from the back.
The last time Hidden Keel appeared at Te Rapa he was the beaten favourite in the Waikato Hurdles, but he could go a lot better on the flat in the $12,000 Wealleans Groundspread.
Hidden Keel's flat form this campaign has been smart and, with Lance O'Sullivan on board, he has a lot of appeal. He is fit, and the 57.5kg - only 4.5kg above the minimum - will not be a factor.
