Racing: Quality look from McKee

It's rare Stephen McKee ventures home from Ruakaka without having trained a winner and that trend looks set to continue tomorrow.

McKee has only four runners at the meeting but what he lacks in quantity he makes up for in quality.

"It's hard to label one above the others really," McKee said when quizzed over his best chance of the day. "They are all well and I expect them to run boldly."

Most interest will be centred on Mt Eden in race four, the Swiss Ace 2yo Challenge.

The filly raced well without luck in strong company earlier in the season and looks particularly well placed in this event.

"She's quite fit and will run well," McKee said.

"She will get off the pace a bit which isn't ideal at Ruakaka but I'm hoping her class will carry her through."

McKee indicated the filly would be raced sparingly over winter with the idea to have her peaking for spring racing.

McKee's day kicks off in race two, the Ford Kuga 1200, with debutante Sayyal. The filly has had two trials, winning on the last occasion.

"She won well that day. Actually she was quite good in the first one too on really firm ground. The track on Wednesday is going to suit her and she is a nice chance."

Sayyal is also an acceptor in race three, the Lion Red 1200, but is on the ballot so needs a couple of scratchings to make the field.

Bella Kaiane steps out in race five, the Red Pizzeria 2100, and will be a leading contender. She was trapped wide in stronger company at Te Rapa and is capable of turning that form around.

"That was her first start for six or seven weeks at Te Rapa and she has improved from the run. The better ground is going to be a big assist as well."

Rio Delmar is McKee's final runner in race nine, the Northern Advocate 1400, and he rates her a winning chance in what is a competitive field.

"Her work has been good and she loves it up at Ruakaka. Probably the only negative is I would have preferred it to have been 1200 metres first up. But she is drawn to get a soft trip and I'm confident she will go well."