KEY POINTS:
The fifth and seventh placings alongside Tatlock's name in the sprint at Thames today don't go close to representing his chances of success.
The smart and improving sprinter has been unlucky. He slipped at the start at Te Rapa two starts back and last time at Ellerslie drew the outside of 13 runners at the 1200m barrier and still managed a useful effort.
He is much better placed from No 5 today.
Tatlock should be able to sit in the first three to the home bend and the kick that he can find in most of his races should go close to propelling him to the lead in the home straight.
This is not a pushover field, though - Pinsoir is heading for the best classes and can be very competitive despite his outside draw, and in-form Avaroadi will get 4kg off his 59kg topweight through being ridden by Tasha Collett. The 4kg Samantha Collett takes off Volscar also makes it interesting. Best race of the day.
No one will begrudge Desert Flight (No1, R7) victory if he gets over the line first in the $34,000 Peter Colwill Thames Cup.
The old bloke has won 10 races in his time and still races competitively at eight and with big weights. His close third to smart stayers Valley Chief and Willy Smith at Te Rapa last start guaranteed his favouritism for this. It will once again not be easy for him under his 58kg, but he will lead and won't give in without a fight.
Trainer Cydne Evans was making up her mind late last night whether to run Speedalot against Desert Flight in the Cup or in Race 1.
The 2000 of the Cup is obviously a better distance for the mare, but Race 1 is an easy option and even over 1700m she would take plenty of beating if she heads that way. As one of the emerging stayers around at the moment, Speedalot is also a chance in the Cup.
The odds will be short, but Gilded Flight (No3, R2) should take plenty of beating. He looked good on debut when second in a juvenile event at Waverley back in April. He was spelled and has won a barrier trial by a wide margin in fast time since resuming. Stu Munro knows how to get them ready for a first-up victory.
The key to Royal Kazak's (No3, R3) chance is probably his inside barrier draw, which can be crucial over the sprints at Thames. Chad Ormsby should be able to sit him on the speed and finish off strongly. He has had no luck in two starts this preparation.
If you take away the beaten performance ofParua Bay (No3, R5) at Te Rapa last start, his form looks pretty smart. He finished a handy third in a strong Racing 83 field at Ellerslie two starts back and he is well worth another try here. Don't forget that three starts ago he was narrowly beaten by Bak Da Chief at Ellerslie, and Bak Da Chief would be $2 favourite in this race.
Race 8 is a tough leg for Pick6 - going wide with your investments looks advisable. Hopefilly (No6) and White Lines (No8) won their maidens last start in the fashion of horses with another promotion in them. Mr Omegen (No1) with a big 4kg claim and Kintyre Lil (No5) are must-includes, and it might be wise to forgive Colorado (No9) his last-start failure. Tricky race.
Kiri (No6, R10) has been racing better than her overall formline reads, and that second at Rotorua last start could be the forerunner of another victory.
With Chad Ormsby taking 1kg off her back, she appeals as a sound each-way chance in the last. Tommie (No8) is not the worst trifecta chance.
