Racing: High Octane gassed up

You look at High Octane and he gives the impression of a horse just dragged out of the spelling paddock.

He's always big in condition.

But don't be fooled - he's dead ready for a massive effort in tomorrow's $70,000 Merial Ancare Metric Mile at Awapuni.

Because he tends to get too big in condition, High Octane was kept ticking over with the occasional race during the winter by part owner and trainer Gregor Robson.

The Cambridge horseman left a six-week gap between racing at Ruakaka in July and on Mudgway Partsworld Day at Hastings to give High Octane the opportunity to be at his peak for tomorrow's race.

He ranged up to win the 1600m at Hastings before his condition gave out fractionally and he finished fourth, only three-quarters of a length behind winner Samurai.

If you look at High Octane now he looks bigger in condition than any horse you could mention, but Gregor Robson is happy with the metric miler is in peak shape.

"He galloped 1400m in company on Tuesday morning and wouldn't have blown a match out.

"He's very fit."

High Octane has drawn a reasonable gate and with his early tactical speed for rider Andrew Calder he should be able to slot over into a nice position on the one-out speed line.

The rain for tomorrow, that was predicted for Palmerston North, appears to have been scaled back now to a few showers, which won't worry Robson.

"The track was rated a dead 5 on Wednesday, so it should be perfect for the race.

"It would take a fair bit of rain to bring the track undone now."

Robson rates Six O'Clock News, Elblitzem, Alagant Satin and Can't Keeper Down as the potential dangers.

Co-trainer Paddy Busuttin doesn't disagree that Six O'Clock News is a live chance.

The big stayer surprised a few with his close second to Samurai over 1600m at Hastings last start.

Often stayers will have the dash to be competitive over 1400m to 1600m early in their preparations, but quickly lose that zip and look for a middle distance.

Busuttin does not think that is the case with Six O'Clock News this week.

"I said to the boys [owners] when he came back in this campaign that I thought he'd strengthened up enough to win a nice mile on the way through.

"He's capable of doing it.

"He's improved a lot with that second at Hastings."

The difference this time is the barrier draw.

At Hastings, Six O'Clock News drew gate No 3 and Noel Harris was able to save ground along the inside and lodge a rails' challenge late.

This time, he has drawn the outside of the field, which will require greatly different tactics.