Denise Jeffcoat arrives at Avondale today with a float full of web-footed fancies.
The Pukekohe trainer is confident her only two runners, Ramblin Riley and debutante Beyer Garratt, are go-forward hopes on a day vulnerable wet-trackers are best left home in their boxes.
Jeffcoat says to forget Ramblin Riley even
went round at Ellerslie last time when a distant eighth to Kiwi King as second favourite.
"He hit a bad patch of ground near the fence at the 600m and fell to pieces after that," said Jeffcoat.
"He's an honest big horse who normally handles bad ground."
Ramblin Riley has drawn an inside alley again today, which won't help if the rail isn't the place to be swinging for home.
But by the eighth race Jeffcoat is confident regular rider Trudy Thornton will have assessed the running and would be able to steer Ramblin Riley to a winning course.
"He does pull hard in his races so the key to his chances is getting the right drag into the race."
If the Slavic 4-year-old reproduces a run similar to when he was second to the promising Superalloy two starts back, he should win.
Jeffcoat admits she's more hopeful than confident 3-year-old Beyer Garratt can kick-start a double for the stable 35 minutes earlier.
She says the giant Four Seasons gelding she bred with her mum and co-owner Gwen Cole is still learning what the game is all about, and will improve enormously with the experience.
But Beyer Garratt, a winner at the Paeroa trials last month, has a few positives going for him on the dam front.
His mum Stylish Lass was an absolute toff in the wet, winning seven, and leaving that trait in at least three of her foals so far, Wham Bang, Stylish Prospect and Delamere Lass.
"My son Ben named Beyer Garrat after the most famous steam train in South Africa, so let's hope he doesn't run out of puff," said Jeffcoat, who trained Stylish Lass in partnership with Bob Lowther.
"He's a big horse who has taken a while to mature, but he's got a great attitude and should make the grade."
Earlier in the day Explode Away gives the in-form Richard Collett-Shane Hapeta stable a great chance to extend their season best win tally to 31.
The mudlark gets a 4kg allowance from apprentice Ryan Allwood, bringing his weight down to the same he carried when a last-start sixth to Ben Sparta in open company.
