By MICHAEL GUERIN
Punters chasing the $250,000 Pick Six pool at Alexandra Park tonight can bank on a form turnaround from the Cran Dalgety stablemates in the feature race.
That was the word from the leading southern horseman yesterday as he put the final touches on Glacier Bay and Krysta for tonight's $100,000 Pyne Gould Guinness Fillies Final.
The race looks the toughest leg of the huge jackpot, with so little between the fillies that draws and the tempo of the race will decide the winner.
Dalgety's fillies have got the best of the draws and while they appeared disappointing in the prelude last week their trainer says improvement is imminent.
"Krysta really disappointed me last week but we have since found she has had a slight bug which has improved a lot this week," he said.
"She has a good draw and I am hoping she can find the front from where she would be a good show."
But Dalgety is adamant Glacier Bay is the better of his two hopes.
"I know she only battled into fourth last week but it was a race where those who worked hard early faded out and she only got tired the last 80m."
Glacier Bay has had her problems handling Alexandra Park in her two starts so far but Dalgety has worked on those steering problems this week and expects to see the best of her tonight.
"She is tough and now she is steering better I think she will be the one to beat. She will be going forward because over 1700m you have to be handy."
The tempo early will dictate the chances of leading northern hopes Mulan and Fair Alaska.
Mulan showed high speed to come from well back to win last week's prelude but has a second line draw tonight and will need a solid pace in the middle stages to bring the leaders back to her over the final 600m.
Fair Alaska is a strong filly who still has plenty to learn but flew late last week and was in front one stride past the post. She appeals as a stayer but is drawn wide so is another who will need a strong pace to finish over the top.
Noble Strike failed in last week's prelude after working hard in front but is good enough to be allowed another chance, although she will need all of Colin De Filippi's genius from the outside of the front line and Cami Longstocking looks each way value as her gate speed should ensure she settles handy.
While the fillies feature will set Pick Six punters a challenge the earlier races bring together smaller and easier fields.
Evander Bret faces a tough handicap over a sprint trip in the first leg but his freegoing style will be suited to the 2200m. But punters should include in Bold Kamwood, who produced a huge run over 3200m last week after an early gallop.
Gracious Knight looks a near anchor in the next where he should find the front again and be able to dominate.
Mandrake will be favourite in the next, his first standing start, but there was much to admire about Seafield Raider's run behind Classic Turbo last Thursday.
That was his first race since a disappointing Rowe Cup carnival and he will be greatly improved. With the small field tonight she will press on towards the lead and Mandrake will have to be at his best to catch him.
The fifth leg of Pick Six brings together the maiden and class one trotters and the latter have a major advantage.
While they have to start from the 20m mark horse like Jacky James, Shindler's List and Flake's Minnie have shown more ability than those off the front line and even in a big field the backmarkers should provide the winner.
Jacky James has plenty to learn but impressed winning her last start and again at the trials last Saturday. He has enough speed to sit back and still finish over the top of most he meets here.
Flake's Minnie also caught the eye when second here to Graelin last week after being three wide and parked over the last 1200m. She looks a handy little trotter in the making.
Schindler's List continues to cost punters with breaking or overracing but has enough speed to threaten while The Rich Uncle could be the bolter. He has no form at Alexandra Park but has been unlucky on several occasions this campaign.
And Pick Six punters may have to wait until last for best, with Perspicuous looking the bet of the night.
He has had no chance when locked away on the markers in his last two starts at Cambridge but is far better than maiden class. Perspicuous showed high gate speed at his last start and looks a certain leader, which could put his biggest danger Paddy Mayne, unlucky last week, three deep on the markers.
That could decide the race. And maybe who takes home a share of the $250,000.
Racing: Fillies challenge for Pick Six
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