KEY POINTS:
After a silly-season breather, the punting purists can come out to play again at Awapuni and Ellerslie today.
Both cards are crammed with large, even fields of potential Wellington Cup carnival winners.
It's just a pity there's not more on offer in the Pick6 chase at Awapuni than
$100,000.
With no obvious anchors and a punting minefield in the day's feature - the $80,000 Marton Cup - you deserve ten times that for solving the five-through-10 puzzle.
Telegraph Handicap-bound Martini Red (No 6, R5) is a possible short-cut antidote in the opening leg.
The key here is whether Triplebank and Bruce Herd will hand up the lead to the flying Cambridge filly.
If they do, promising apprentice James McDonald and his 2kg claim should take care of the rest.
Beersheba Knight's defection from the second leg has paved the way for any number of hopefuls to put their hand up for the Douro Cup (1600m) at Trentham on January 26, or even the Anniversary Handicap (1600m) on the first day.
A spread is the way to go here, with Far Too Much (No 2), McCahon (No 3), Anden (No 6) and for value, No Cash (No 14) all must-includes.
If you're on a budget, consider narrowing the focus to McCahon and Anden only.
McCahon has needed his first two runs this preparation, has a touch of class and will relish the step up to 1600m, while Anden has been hinting lately a race like this is well within his reach.
He was group-placed at three over this trip and has good form in Sydney.
Anyone who saw the way apprentice Roxanne Rattley handled Sir Slick (R7 No 1) in winning the Coca Cola Mile at Ellerslie will be prepared to anchor the weight-for-age champ in the third leg, the undercard feature, the Waikato Stud Handicap.
Her 4kg claim drops the million-dollar earner to a relatively luxurious 58.5kg.
The query, however, is whether he's quite sharp enough over 1400m to shake off Bulginbaah (No 2), Porotene Gem (No 7), Vosnee Romanee (No 12) and iron-horse Kristov (No 3), who will be sharply improved from his last outing in December.
It doesn't get any easier in the fourth leg, the Marton Cup (R8).
Durable veteran All Square (No 2) could be the way to shave the spend, with insurance from A Great Life (No 7), Gallions Reach (No 8) and Resolution (No 15).
Trainer Gary Vile has All Square in career-best shape, despite the gelding's advancing years and has engaged Leith Innes to offset the 57.5kg handicap.
They should get the perfect trail from the seven gate and pounce when it counts.
And "Lethal Leith" can strike again in the next with Shesakeeper (R9, No 7).
The Te Awamutu mare won't do much for the stress levels with her racing style if you're still live in the Pick Six by the fifth leg.
But if she gets the breaks near the back of the field, this event is within her grasp.
Equal topweight Cantgetenough (No 1) is also a must-include, despite a 3kg handicap jump from his easy win in this grade on this course on Boxing Day.
If you can afford a spread, also include Shining Light (No 8) and Soloist (No 13).
The final leg (R10) throws up another curly one with at least half a dozen genuine winning prospects.
Talented Matamata stayer Young Centaur (No 2) won't struggle getting the 2300m, but with 58kg you can't anchor him with confidence. Hazeldon (No 11), 4kg below him in the handicap, provides the safety factor.
He powered home into a photo finish at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.
For value throw in I'm Isaac (No 18). With Patrick Bell's 1kg claim he's beautifully weighted with 52kg.
Exciting juvenile Captain Fantastic also looks to redeem himself for a swerve that cost him a win on debut when he reappears at Ellerslie.
Captain Fantastic (R3, No 5) had a field at his mercy on Boxing Day before dumping rider Michael Coleman in sight of the post.
Mercedes Derby-bound duo Align To Infinity (R5, No 6) and Il Divo (R7, No 1) add lustre to a strong support card to Marton, with interest also surrounding the final Thorndon Mile trial of Cog Hill (R8, No 1).
Earlier in the day, Ginga Dude (R1, No 6) can atone for a luckless run on this course on New Year's Day. He will be strong at the end of the 1400m.
