"The timing of the showers seems to have pushed back a bit, which is good news," said Auckland Racing Club manager of racing, Andrew Castles.
The unbeaten Marky Mark faces a terrific field of juveniles in the Diamond Stakes and trainer Moira Murdoch said she was unconcerned about the weather.
"I actually don't mind whether it rains or not," said Murdoch last night. What she is more concerned about is that Marky Mark's opposition of Rocanto, Dal Cielo and Strata Lady may have grown up around her colt.
"He's won his two races because, among other things, he's done everything right. His opposition has now had more experience and that may prove a telling point because he may not have that same advantage over them. He hasn't raced since January 1, but I am very happy with him, his work has been excellent."
Dal Cielo drew wide in the Karaka Million and raced deep without cover for a while. His third place behind Queensland's Hardline was fabulous given the circumstances and from a much handier barrier this time he deserves plenty of attention.
As does Rocanto and Strata Lady. There is a lot of upside to both.
Jumping from 1500m to 2000m and coming off an extremely tough first-up performance is not an easy ask for Rising Romance, but her class factor balances that to a great extent.
Her final 600m in that 1500m victory was something like 33.5 seconds, which very few horses can manage, particularly when they have to come around the opposition.
As we mentioned in yesterday's column, you need to sum up how many of the opposition could finish second in a Caulfield Cup. Rising Romance is absolute top class and unless something drastic goes wrong she should win the NZ Stakes. She goes on to the major Sydney autumn races and will shine there.
Sakhee's Soldier will appreciate this step to 2000m more than most and has plenty of class. No one will argue if that is the quinella.
The trifecta in the big race is interesting.
There is no tougher opponent than Soriano. Regardless of distance she is remarkable and as tough as they come and she deserves plenty of respect.
Soriano has been one of the stars of the New Zealand season, winning two weight-for-age Group Ones over 2000m.
Trainer Graeme Rogerson, who trains Soriano in partnership with his wife Debbie, wants to take her across the Tasman, where she is untested, for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on April 11. That's where it's helpful that her opponents include Rising Romance, winner of the Australian Oaks.
"Our plan is to take her to Sydney and then to Hong Kong," Rogerson said.
"Rising Romance is a really good mare and how we go against her will give us a really good guide on how she might go in Australia."
Rising Romance is the $1.70 favourite with the TAB and will also be the sentimental favourite following the death this week of her co-trainer Dean Logan. The former husband of Donna Logan lost his battle with throat cancer on Thursday.
The Rogersons have Serena Miss and Magic Dancer in the Diamond Stakes.
Shuka is one of the runners that could easily surprise with a top run.
He was well below his best when he finished at the back of the field in the Group 1 at Te Rapa last start, but the Williams training team sent him to the beach and he has reportedly gone the right way since.
Punters need to pay close attention to the very best to follow their betting through to the real class in The Championships in Sydney.
Rising Romance is the test, she needs to win this or be hugely unlucky and she will then be right up there with the best in Sydney, and make no mistake how difficult the Japanese will be to topple in that carnival.
We are in for some outstanding racing in the next two months.
Today is not excluded from that shopping list.Additional reporting AAP
