The two quality mares, both already Group 1 winners, trialed more than satisfactorily recently at Taupo.
"I was delighted with their efforts and even more delighted with their progress since," says trainer Stephen Marsh.
Unquestionably, Kawi is best on a track rated between 3 and 5 - he was good enough to win this race on a Slow 7 last year (Makfi Challenge Stakes) - but is such a tough competitor he will produce something regardless of conditions. He also won in 2015 so is on a hat-trick.
Trainer Allan Sharrock has made no secret that he believes the topliner is as well as he has been through his career.
On a wet track Underthemoonlight can run another huge race and the real blowout prospect is Luna Rossa with Perfect Fit for odds provided the track is not too deep.
You won't get fancy odds, but one of the best of the programme is Francaletta (No13, R3).
She won them in a row last preparation and was always going to be better this time in. She has had three barrier trials lately and should be super fit for this resumption.
Super smart local mare Miss Wilson (No2) will be very competitive, but the result will depend on whether she can give Francaletta 5kg. That quinella would not surprise and if looking for more insurance, include Capella (No5) provided the footing is still reasonable.
Longchamp (No3, R1) will go close in the opener after his gallant second under a big weight disadvantage last time. Amarula (No1) will run a race.
The El Roca - Sir Colin Meads Trophy has drawn the field you would expect from the pool of 3-year-olds at this time of year. Getty (No1) is classy and is fit from his two winning performances.
He will race on the speed and should get a reasonably good start from the No6 gate.
Stablemates Bostonian (No2) and Sacred Rebel (No7) are talented and so is I Got You (No4) and the badly-drawn Lincoln Hills (No6).
Three-year-old rankings will take some form after this race.
You may have to take exotics to get any sort of a result from Highlad (No1, R8). He resumed with a huge win at Te Rapa, being very strong in the closing stages. Given his toughness he should shoulder his 60kg topweight well.
If you believe the Logan/Gibbs stable will have a big say in their local Ruakaka meeting - and why would you not - Toorak Tower (No2, R1) should get the train off to a flying start. He did not win by a big margin last start, but this is not an outstanding line-up he faces. Creative Genius (No3) looks the potential danger.
Bee Tee Junior (No2, R2) looks a great chance.
He won well at Te Rapa under 57kg and with a big claim will go around with less than that in the same grade. This should suit nicely.
This track will be better than the one Youwantmore (No4) won clearly on last start and that may present a question, but she is an improving mare.
There are showers forecast for the north and that may help.
Cosmic Storm (No7, R3) was slightly disappointing at Te Rapa last start, but she is better than that and is worth another chance.
Angeline (No9) is an improver and another multiple operator is Kirkintilloch (No2).
Race 4 has drawn an interesting field. Charles Road (No3) displayed real potential as a 3-year-old last season and should be in for a good campaign. He had a nice quiet trial at Taupo and should be capable of doing something close to his best on resuming here. Rockabyebaby (No6) is one of the Logan/Gibbs team and is expected to reach better grades than this.
Race 5 is another great betting vehicle. Selfie (No9) is capable of showing up in a fresh state, particularly from an inside barrier. It would be too much to expect Volkstok'n'barrell (No1) to lump 64.5kg and win at his first start back, but he will run a race. He has had his issues in the last year and a half, but he looked totally free in his action galloping between races here last meeting. Ronchi (No3) and Maid Of Steel (No5) are very capable. Nice race.
Local Prom Queen (No1, R67) has done enough both here and at Riccarton to warrant clear favouritism. She has topweight, but it's not prohibitive. Dragon (No5) and Bucky (No4) are talented types on the improve.
Royal Fashion (No1, R7) is a class mare worth following. She might be too good here.
Swissta (No3) and Bella Gioia (No4) can be right in it.
