By MIKE DILLON
Spring Rain will start in today's $50,000 Wellington Guineas in preference to Te Rapa and will take plenty of beating.
Roger James is happy the firming track will suit the mare perfectly, his only doubt is the No15 barrier draw.
"At least there is a long run down the back straight to the first bend, so she should not be too greatly troubled."
If she can get a soft lead Spring Rain should win, with fellow northerner Kings Honor a big threat from his inside barrier.
Lord Presto (No1, R5) at Trentham might be as good a bet as there is today.
The talented 4-year-old was beaten favourite at Hastings last start, but a set of blinkers today may make the difference in Race 5 at Wellington.
Diamond Cashel (No8, R5) will appreciate the step up to 1400m in the $12,000 James and Annie Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa. She is a big, rolling type and was not much more than half a length from Spring Rain over 1200m when resuming at Hastings before being relegated to third. She has had plenty of time to recover from that effort. Mi Centie (No3) and Butterscotch (No1) are similarly smart fillies.
The Best Move (No4, R4) had no luck when resuming at Te Awamutu last start. He is a very talented type, who has had his preparations interrupted, but he should be in for a profitable time. This track will suit better than Te Awamutu. That win by Chris (No6) at Matamata was no fluke.
Give Rijeka (No5, R7) another chance in the main handicap. The two runs she has had can only have her a lot fitter for this and she has a fair bit in terms of class on most of these when at her best. Barshu (No6) can get into the trifecta.
Biennale (No4, R10) is a mare who could go places and she can back up her Ellerslie win last start with another impressive effort. There are plenty of chances and this will not be easy, but she has drawn well and should get the run of the race.
Racing: Firming track will suit
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