KEY POINTS:
There is more at stake than just the $70,000 Waikato Guineas when the 3-year-olds do battle at Te Rapa today.
There is the small matter of the $700,000 Mercedes Derby, of which we should know an awful lot more about at the close of play today.
Mettre En Jeu faces two of the Derby favourites behind Magic Cape in Stolen Thunder and Uberalles in the Guineas and Brut Force, rated as low as $7 in the Derby market, goes around against the older horses in the final event of the day.
Mettre En Jeu, at one point Derby favourite, has drifted out to $17 with the TAB for the big race at Ellerslie in March, but he won't stay at that quote if he wins or goes close at Te Rapa today.
Seemingly the price drift has been caused by Mettre En Jeu's defeat by the filly Santagostino in the Guineas at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
Santagostino's stablemate, Ethereal's daughter Uberalles, will give Mettre En Jeu plenty to think about once again, but the Central Districts colt is a class act and if he's in the same form that saw him win at Ellerslie the week before the Guineas, he's the one to beat.
Uberalles did remarkably well for a filly having only her fourth race start to finish third in the Guineas at Ellerslie.
She came straight out of maiden class to do that and it should have lifted her to the next level for this race.
She looked impressive finishing second to Avondale Cup winner Sharvasti at the recent Te Awamutu barrier trials.
Stolen Thunder, in blinkers for the first time, is another very important Derby pointer.
He has improved with each of his four runs and Lance O'Sullivan will clearly be looking for a different sort of run in the blinkers.
Mettre En Jeu, despite being very colty on raceday, looks to have extraordinary potential and last start was probably feeling the effects of two road trips from Wanganui and two races nine days apart.
He should parade a better horse today, but Uberalles will not be easy to contain.
The $500,000 NZ Bloodstock Classique is a gladiatorial contest.
Put half a million on the line over a sprint distance and it's simply a dash for cash and a survival of the toughest.
Pooka (No1, R6) got away with drawing the outside gate, leading and winning at Trentham last start, but it won't be quite as easy here, although he will start from No 8 if the field remains intact.
Pooka has terrific ability, looks tough and will give this a good shake.
Crossyourheart (No9) has won all three of her starts and you get the impression she has yet to be fully extended.
From a perfect inside barrier she's the horse to beat.
Untouched (No16, R1) was backed and beaten on this track a few weeks ago, but she is a lot better than that.
She has drawn very wide, but that is not always critical at 1600m at Te Rapa and she has Leith Innes on her back.
Energize (No10) and Ambitious Tycoon (No8) are strong trifecta chances.
Chimalis (No4, R2) is better than her form on paper as her last couple show. The race two back was the Newmarket against the older horses and this is a lot easier than that.
My Elusive Dream (No4, R3) did enough on debut to suggest he can quit maidens quickly.
He ran on solidly over 1200m and gets an assist by stepping up to 1400m today. The stock of Colombia are starting to look better and better - particularly those that have been sired by him.
My Elusive Dream is a 5-year-old.
Brianna (No3, R4) is an exciting filly. The ease of her R76 win at Avondale last start was remarkable. This is a step up, but she is going places.
Narredson (No4) and Giovanni (No1) are tough cookies.
Race 5, the 2000m maiden affair, looks an even affair.
Italic (No7) went a nice race at Ellerslie last start and hinted that the step to 2000m here would suit better.
It took a very smart type in Kingsinga to knock off Luckshan (No5, R7) in the Manawatu Cup.
Luckshan made his sweep down the outside with Kingsinga and only a long neck separated them on the line. Luckshan, who likes Te Rapa, gets his turn today.
Ntamack (No6) also deserves a turn and don't drop Desert Flight (No1) just yet despite his beaten performance last start.
I Command (No4, R9) was beaten at Gisborne last start, but it would have had him a lot fitter for this.
He displays pretty useful staying potential and looks a good each-way chance today.
Pulborough (No2) will not be easy to beat.
It's never easy for 3-year-olds to beat the older, tougher horses, particularly when giving them weight, but Brut Force (No1, R10) is a bit better than most.
He has Opie Bosson to help him carry his 58kg as he heads towards the Derby. Shan Dynasty (No15) was super impressive quitting maidens at Manawatu and has the potential to step up and Ististar (No10) is good upset material.
