KEY POINTS:
The Logan/Gibbs stable doesn't know what to think about tomorrow's $120,000 Eagle Technology Counties Cup (2100m).
What the three partners do know is that they were desperate to sneak emerging stayer Aftershock into the field on a light weight.
They also know they needed rain for their other hope, El Perez.
Aftershock is an emergency that needs five scratchings to make the field and El Perez is sweating on the showers predicted for today.
Donna Logan said the stable is playing a different game with El Perez to the one they set the talented stayer last spring.
"Last spring we had him in and scratched him because of a firm track, then we'd have him in again and scratch for the same reason.
"This year we said, right, the Counties Cup is his race and we'll run regardless of conditions then turn him out for a spell."
Yesterday morning the Ellerslie track was 3.0 and dead.
"Today is a good drying day and by the end of play it would be closer to 2.7," said Auckland Racing Club racing manager Butch Castles.
"Even if we get a few showers tomorrow I'd say they'll race on a track that is just dead on Saturday."
More moisture than that would suit El Perez - all six of his wins have been on either slow or heavy.
With many of our good stayers sidelined - Pentane and Zarius are out injured and the likes of Kerry O'Reilly, Zabeat and Mandela ran in the Melbourne Cup - this was always going to be a race for the emerging horses. Sharvasti fits that bill.
There would be few that have won this race at their 11th raceday appearance, but Sharvasti looks well placed on 54kg, only 1kg above the minimum in a compressed handicap.
She made her open class debut as recently as last start, but the way she finished off the final 200m to win untested by 1.25 lengths left little doubt she has an enormous future.
She has to step up from 1600m to 2100m, but being by Montjeu from outstanding broodmare Vedodara, she looks capable of it.
Stablemate Fiscal Madness, in similar devastating recent form, has to lump 58kg topweight.
One of the dangers could be former Melbourne galloper Pretorius. He took a while to reach winning form in his first preparation here last spring, but trainer Jakki Good says she sees a different horse this preparation.
Pretorius was too fresh when he resumed over 1600m at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup day. As a result the saddle slipped, he charged around the field to lead and consequently did well to finish only five lengths from Fiscal Madness. That race has improved him greatly for his first staying test this preparation.
Trainer Roger James feels the way Ritzy Lady has been grinding away at the end of 1600m races she will be perfectly suited in stepping up to 2100m.
Classy mares Justa Tad and Mac Five add further interest to a very tough race for punters.
