Racing: Cautious hand to juggle contrasting track conditions

The scenario facing punters at today's two New Zealand gallops meetings could not be more diverse.

The Counties fixture at Ruakaka will take place on a surface bordering on firm, while the final day of the Grand National meeting is on a track that at the very best could be described as rain-sodden.

The addition of the Grand National Hurdle and an R76 1200m from Wednesday's abandoned second day adds up to a 10.45am start to a 12-race programme at Riccarton today.

In any circumstances that is logistically demanding, but compounding that is a bottomless Friday afternoon penetrometer reading of 7.3.

"The track's as heavy as I can recall," long-term Canterbury Racing chief executive Tim Mills said late yesterday. "At this stage there's nothing to suggest the meeting won't go ahead, it will just be extremely heavy.

"We've had a bit of sunshine today and the forecast is not bad. There's no surface water like there was earlier in the week and there's no more of the visibility issue."

Like most South Islanders, Mills and his associates are feeling the effects of the winter weather.

"It started raining down here on April 27 and has hardly stopped," he said.

"We've had one break of seven or eights days and the longest we've gone without rain apart from that would be no more than a day-and-a-half."

The word for punters looking at Riccarton and the guaranteed $200,000 Pick6 is therefore one of caution.

The Pick6 opens on Race 7, an 1800m maiden special, in which Mills points to locally-trained Crazy Frogg (No5). She has heavy track form and the benefit of northern apprentice Ryan Allwood's 2kg claim.

Also worth considering are another local making use of a claim in Gaucho (No2), dour type Ubet Too (No6), Denarius (No10) and Wood Knot (No11). Include Smeagol (No23) if she makes the field.

The big question mark in the second leg, the Grand National Steeplechase, is topweight No Hero. Was his first day run good enough for a repeat of last year's big win? The safe answer is that No Hero is too good to dismiss entirely, and don't leave out I'manace (No3), Camouflage (No4) or Bogeyman (No5).

Third leg candidate Gojogo (No2) is as good a Pick6 anchor as you'll get all day. Those lacking courage should add topweight Santa Anita.

Another special maiden event provides plenty of form in leg four, headed by locally-trained Sparkling All Over (No3), last start winners Halon (No4) and Bewarned (No2), first day runner-up High Tide (No13) and Akaroa (No6).

Shanamann (No1) and Miles (No2) stand out at the top of the penultimate leg, and those who can afford to spread their chances, the mudder Bejayjay (No5) and Winter Cup runner-up Eye Of Horus (No7) are the extras.

Two must-haves if you are still alive in the final leg are Kenny Starfighter (No10) and Tuscany Warrior (No4). Kenny Starfighter has previous winning jockey Opie Bosson back in the saddle, while Tuscany Warrior does not need to be at the peak of his powers against this lot.

For a greater spread, look to Red Hot Chilli (No1), Global Saint (No2), Salt (No11) and Wee Winkle (No13).

Yesterday's 3.7 penetrometer and "only the odd passing shower" make Ruakaka a totally different prospect.

Maiden's Testamonial (R1, No7) and Lord Latitude (R2, No2) could be the way to start, while Clifton Prince (R3, No1) will be at less than odds-on but still a safe bet for multiple-takers.

Class act Mandela (R6, No1) looked primed for a fresh-up win on a track that agrees with him when he stepped out at the Te Teko trials 10 days ago. Once again the odds wont be long, but that makes them secure.

Topweight De Palio is the standout in the eighth.

For punters wanting something longer, Captivate (No13) can bounce to the form of her maiden win here in the early winter.