KEY POINTS:
There is no substitute for class in horse racing and Martini Red has shown nothing but class in running through to hot favouritism for today's $60,000 Oceanz Seafood Breeders Stakes.
If there is a slight question mark around the unbeaten filly it is that she has not raced
at Ruakaka and the northern track has tripped up the occasional hotshot.
Easing some of that doubt is that Martini Red won the Castletown Stakes at Foxton, which has a similar sand base to Ruakaka.
Seemingly only the unforeseen could beat her today, which leads to the question, "Where is the value in the race?"
If you can find something for the trifecta outside the three favourites, Martini Red, The Mooseisloose and the favourite's stablemate Vanny Fair, you will get real value because the trio will take 90 per cent of the pool.
But that's difficult. It will be a surprise if they don't go close to forming the trifecta.
The Mooseisloose is extremely exciting, but he can do the odd bit wrong and worth noting is that when Vanny Fair chased him home on this track last start she was giving him weight and this time there is a 2.5kg turnaround in favour of the Cambridge filly. That may not be enough, but it's too important to ignore.
Take the short odds all round.
Stephen McKee, still with a faint hope of premiership honours, has a strong team at Ruakaka.
Star Of Rio (No2, R6) likes the track, is in winning form and Craig Grylls takes him down to 55kg. If there is a danger it could be his stablemate Tenjuberrymud (No1), whose 58kg will drop to a comfortable 55kg thanks to Sam Collett. The drying track will suit Tenjuberrymud.
Gobi Hero (No2, R1) looked close to a win when second on this track last time to the races. He drew a wide gate that day and will come out of a more favourable barrier this time.
The failure of The Winger (No2, R4) at Otaki last start probably had a lot to do with track conditions. His winning form has been on reasonable tracks and the slow footing at Otaki seemed to have him struggling. Back on a surface he should find more suitable he has a fair amount of appeal.
Anuthahoarse (No3) looked good finishing second to The Winger when resuming at Ellerslie and should be improved.
The McKee runner Fun Spoiler (No2, R5) looked close to his first win when he got home strongly on this track to be narrowly beaten last start. Look for him to be running at them late.
Double Tee (No2) looked good last start.
Ventose (No2, R8) is another close to a win for the McKee stable. There are a few chances in this race, but he has been racing honestly and looks a great each-way chance.
At the weights Figure Of Speech (No1, R9) should again beat Jovial Jock (No2) after heading him off at his last two appearances, but you get the feeling the other horse's day is not far away. It should be an intriguing go between this Cambridge pair, who will meet yet again in the Taumarunui Cup next start.
Locally trained Ka Ching (No1, R10) deserves another winning turn after some good honest form, but Deli Coast (No3) won well enough in this class at the last Ruakaka meeting to suggest he will keep the favourite honest again. Both can sit handy and fight hard.
We seem to have had numerous rain-affected tracks this winter, which has made following the form, as horses jump from one to another, very difficult. Nordic Dancer (No5, R8) has not had a suitable surface since winning at Tauranga four starts ago, but the heavy footing at Trentham today might better assist her chances. She is a good, tough, fighting mare and has the capabilities to lift a Parliamentary Handicap.
Floor Play (No9, R9) should have won at Te Awamutu on Sunday when he had his momentum checked in the home straight. He is racing very consistently and although there is plenty of recent form in this race he is worth an each-way.
Provided the track does not come up too testing, Far Away Places (No3, R6) might be a bit of value in the Whyte Handicap. She is better than useful and Shannon Doyle takes a valuable 2kg off her back.