By MICHAEL GUERIN
Punters can look forward to one of the best betting races of the season at Alexandra Park tonight - the only problem is picking the winner.
Because Alexandra Park provides New Zealand's most consistent racing, favourites paying above $4 are rare.
But that won't be the case in tonight's Powell Transport North Island Breeders Stakes in which selecting the favourite is almost as hard as picking the winner.
The $25,000 feature sees fillies who have been racing in the classics clashing for the first time with mares who have been racing open class stars like Agua Caliente. Many in the field have never seen the standing start tapes while to add to the confusion, 10 of the 15 acceptors have different drivers from their last starts because of feature meetings at Addington and Harold Park.
So in the face of such confusion it could be Slim N Fit who provides the best value for money.
She was an effortless winner under these conditions at Addington two starts ago and has a good standing start record. The Steven Reid-trained mare was then not suited by having to work hard early in her last start but still fought on well.
"This race should suit her and she does have a very fast sprint when saved up," said Reid.
In-form junior driver Scott Wallis, inaugural winner of the Noel Taylor series which finished last Friday, takes the reins And it could be another junior driver in Glenys Buchanan, who will partner Close To Heaven, who provides them with the biggest challenge.
The fast beginner was left parked out in the race won by Agua Caliente last week but fought on well for third and has won for Buchanan before.
Much interest in the race will centre on the trio of fillies, Pocket Queen, Ciccio Star and Shivna.
The latter was unlucky at Addington during the classics and races like tonight's 2700m will suit her while Pocket Queen has the advantage of a front line draw Maurice McKendry has stuck with her. If she steps she looks the value option.
Racing: Favourite is hard to pick
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