By MIKE DILLON
The McKees' luck has continued.
Just when it looked as though rising star Millennium might have to test his vulnerability on a very firm track in tomorrow's $50,000 Highview Guineas at Te Rapa, along comes the rain.
The unbeaten 3-year-old's two winning runs have been on soft tracks and with legs designed somewhere other than heaven, it will be a major test of his frame when he persistently strikes summer tracks.
If the rain forecast for today and tomorrow eventuates, Millennium will be well suited.
Co-trainer Stephen McKee says the royally bred gelding had done extremely well since winning the Guineas at Ellerslie one start out of maiden class.
"He's in first-class condition."
The interesting factor is the barrier draw. Millennium has led easily in his two races, but may find it more difficult to get to the rail with so much speed inside him this time.
"Because of his greeness he really only knows how to follow the rail," said McKee. "Which is why he stuck to the inside when he won the Guineas at Ellerslie - very few horses on the day won on the rail.
"If you wanted to pull him out into the centre of the track, I doubt if he'd do it."
The conditions will determine the race. Ross Taylor, trainer of class filly Star Satire, said he certainly would not consider a start if the track became soft.
"She does not appreciate rain-affected footing," said Taylor, whose plan is to have Star Satire in the Bayer Classic.
"If she does not go ahead for this race I don't think it will affect our Bayer plans, but I have to give her a race somewhere and I'm not sure where that would be if she doesn't go to Te Rapa."
Jim Gibbs will still start impressive last-start winner Butterscotch if the track is rain-affected, but he is guessing how she would handle it.
"She's okay when there is cut in the ground, but I don't know how she would manage if it got to soft. I'll run her though and find out."
Gibbs said his other Guineas runner Napoleon would not run on anything but a firm track.
"If it cuts out I'll keep him for Ellerslie on Tuesday."
La Bella Dama is a real danger, although she is probably fractionally better on a right-handed track. She chased Millennium home in the Guineas at Ellerslie and did the same behind Singalong in the Desert Gold Stakes.
She has good soft track form and deserves a winning turn.
Party Queen is one who will not mind a soft track for the $25,000 The Oaks Sprint.
The class mare is resuming with a two-from-two record on heavy tracks and a two-from-four score in soft conditions.
She has also won two of her three fresh-up starts and with 54kg she looks well placed.
Arduous looks a danger. She covered extra ground when fifth to Durzetta in a very strong field at Rotorua last start and a wetter track this time would suit.
Racing: Even rain works for McKees
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