Mike Dillon: Mufhasa looks all class for feature

You can't escape the fact that class will decide today's $220,000 Windsor Park Plate at Hastings.

Notwithstanding Tavistock's big win, the lead-up Mudgway Stakes had a big element of luck involved.

The odds are right against that happening again, so you simply have to run with Mufhasa's Horse Of The Year class shining through this time.

Yes, the barrier draws make it a touch tricky, but few horses have the same level of tactical speed and that should be the clincher.

Where to go for the trifecta is the real trick. If there is multiple value to be had - and there will be somewhere - it can come from Tell A Tale, Fritzy Boy and Prince Kaapstad.

The latter two had the zero Mudgway luck and Tell A Tale is exceptional and could easily end up with a top three ranking as a 4-year-old this season.

The multiples are tough, but play around as if Mufhasa is the best horse in the field - because he is.

On the drop-back basis Figuring (No2, R1) probably has to be your horse in the opener. Going from R80 to R94 then back to R70 here is a massive slide back. There was plenty to admire about his third to Waitui Zone in a lead-dominated race on the first day of the carnival and this contest is certainly a bit easier. Desert Lad (No7) is no champ but he deserves one for honesty and is going to land a win eventually. No one will begrudge him if it's here.

Bakup (No2, R2) will be improved for his first-up run at Ellerslie over 1600m when things didn't exactly go his way from an inside gate.

The step to 2000m is perfect and what beats him should win. Krash (No1) might be better known when there's a bit of moisture around, but he's no slug on any surface. He can figure despite his 58kg topweight.

Hinemoa (No9, R3) is still learning the trade, but she has ability. Her form in a brief career has been on wet tracks, but don't be surprised if she does something on a better surface here from a nice barrier.

You can make a case against a few of these and a couple of luckless runners lately in Our Dan (No5) and Laborough (No4) can figure at decent prices. Our Dan was climbing over them in mid-field in the home straight when fresh-up on Mudgway day.

That close fourth to Morelle on the opening day of the carnival has set Glamorous Girl (No9, R4) up for this race. She was only three-quarters of a length away in a fast-run 1200m three weeks ago and will much better appreciate the 1400m today. The field overall is much of a muchness and Lunus (No3) and Ben Hogan (No1) are perhaps as good as any for the trifecta.

The 3-year-old 1400m will be fascinating. Even more so now that Mark Walker has decided on a big claim for topweight King's Ransom (No1, R5). Julia Anderson is going to rip a whopping 4kg off the 58kg. He's a big bloke and he's going to think he's going around on his own. The young apprentice has virtually no raceday experience and what you need to weigh up is how much she's going to need.

The Hombre should lead again from No4 and you can imagine King's Ransom sitting parked outside him from the No 8 gate because he almost certainly can't afford to drop to the back of the field. Veldt (No3) should be getting to the line strongly from the 250m. One of the best races of the day.

If King's Ransom is at reasonable odds because of the inexperienced rider, he could be worth an each-way.

His stablemate Corsage (No3, R6) is going to take some keeping out in the Windsor Park Gold Trail Stakes. That was a terrific third behind The Hombre here three weeks ago and against her own sex this time, she looks ready to pounce. The fitness levels of stablemates Katie Lee (No1) and Queen Sabeel (No4) will have a big bearing, but you cannot imagine the Rogerson barn has left them too far short of the mark for this.

It won't be easy giving All In Black (No5, R8) 2.5kg, but Six O'Clock News (No2) could be up to it. We all know he's top class and this should be his season as a 5-year-old. Luck wasn't with him and neither was the 1600m last week at Awapuni and his fifth was a big effort. Up to 2000m today he should do some real damage. So should All In Black - it looks a big quinella.

If you're going into the last race with a live Pick6 ticket with just one horse on it, go and have a stiff drink before the jump. It's the toughest race on the programme. Single Currency (No3, R10) was extremely impressive winning on debut and is a must-include and so are Zeeanic (No4), Hawkes Bay Cat (No5) and Pinnafero (No2). The latter finished hard and was just beaten by a good one in Aspinal at Te Rapa last week, but, unfortunately he's drawn wide. Keyora (No8) is the value. He ran on in a speed-dominated race here last start and looks better placed this time. Go as wide as you can afford in this leg.