KEY POINTS:
Pray the mid-week rain does not impact too greatly on the twilight meeting at Ellerslie today.
The $40,000 Pick6 puzzle was tough enough with summer-like conditions.
For the sake of sanity in this humidity, we're assuming the needle doesn't dip too far beyond yesterday's good 3 rating.
If it stays reasonably firm there are a couple of exciting types to follow from the in-form Roger James and Paul Mirabelli Cambridge stable in Celeris and Mi Alpha.
Volksraad mare Gin Dartre also needs a reasonably firm track to perform at her best.
With conditions to suit, the Craig Thornton-trained 4-year-old looks a stand-out in the card's feature, the $20,000 APN Print 1400.
LEG ONE
It may have only nine runners, but you could make a case for all of them. Krug moves like the 2100m at this stage of his career is what he's been needing. He closed well last time out over 1600m and is a past course performer.
One-time Derby hopeful Harris Tweed is also building to a middle-distance breakthrough and can't be left off multiples. Perennial placegetter El Nadia is also worth including. She handles rain-affected tracks and has run two of her best races at Ellerslie.
LEG TWO
Another good betting race with a number of lightly-raced chances up against the group three-placed Alberton Princess. Back to 1200m the Richard Yuill-trained 3-year-old has to be in the mix. But don't leave out the speedy Neon, beaten favourite in a strong form race on debut at Te Rapa. This looks no tougher and he should have improved with the run. Balenciaga and debutante Into The Light add to the puzzle.
LEG THREE
The educated money was spot on when Celeris won in a sub 1m 10s time for 1200m here on January 10. She meets a tougher line-up today and jumps 2.5kg but the way she scored last month, it would be madness to risk those factors bringing her undone. Oxborough Magic offers some insurance at value. He was trapped too wide last time out at Avondale after a close-up third in a similar Ellerslie race.
LEG FOUR
It's been a while between drinks for Gin Dartre, but if the track stays in the good range, this is her race for the taking. Leith Innes climbs aboard for the first time and the talented mare also drops 1.5kg from her close-up third in the same grade last time out. Rival Harshada pipped Gin Dartre that day, but now meets the mare 3kg worse off at the weights.
LEG FIVE
Mi Alpha is close to an anchor on a firm track. He found big Derby hope Gallant and the step back to 1400m last time out at Avondale a little beyond him. Back to 1600m this leg looks close to a formality for the talented 3-year-old. Malukar had no luck when a beaten favourite at Te Awamutu. The daughter of top racemare Staring could push the favourite with the right trip.
LEG SIX
Another great betting race with a stack of talented types to follow in the next few weeks. Zabaat is a multiple must. He ran out of racing room when favourite at Trentham on January 24 but turned in a blinder when flashing home for second here to Shanghai Devil over the same trip on New Year's Day. The beach-trained My My Maree is the main danger. She steps back from Desert Gold Stakes company and doesn't mind a rain-affected surface. The consistent Cetelle will also handle any give in the ground.
