Racing: Hastings looking perfect

Perfect footing should prevail for Saturday's $200,000 Mudgway Stakes at Hastings.

That's wonderful news for the connections of Mudgway runners, also for punters chasing the $1 million Pick6, washed out from last Saturday's New Plymouth meeting.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing's website yesterday showed the Hastings track to be 2.9 and dead.

That was deliberate - the Hawkes Bay Club watered the track to get it into the dead zone so it will dry to be perfect for Saturday.

"We watered the entire track until yesterday and this morning they're watering the outer part of the track," said Hawkes Bay Racing's John McGifford. "We have to leave it alone from this point and it will come into a 2.5 or 2.6 zone."

Hastings can firm up quickly.

"A good dead track would be perfect," said McGifford, "it would suit all horses."

Darci Brahma remains the raging favourite, shortening from $2.75 to $2.50 to $2.30, remarkably short considering the quality opposition.

The market: $2.30 Darci Brahma, $7 Seachange, Kristov, Calveen, $10 Wahid, $13 Bulginbaah, $18 Legs, $21 Fiscal Madness, $26 Pentane, Rags To Riches, $31 Tusker, $51 Sir Slick, $61 Rat Tat.