KEY POINTS:
The $2 million Kelt Capital Stakes runners are at Hastings on Saturday - with the exception of Magic Cape.
Last season's 2000 Guineas winner tackles the $70,000 Jim and John Evans Classic at Pukekohe to prove to trainer Shaune Ritchie he's good enough to tackle New Zealand's richest race in two weeks.
At heart Ritchie knows the horse has the talent, but is taking what is perhaps an astute soft option leading into the Kelt.
And the Cambridge trainer knows he will get the best guide possible - if Magic Cape does not go close to winning, or is not unlucky, Ritchie pretty much knows he is wasting his time in the Kelt. Magic Cape comes into Saturday's race with just 52.5kg, a luxurious weight for a 4-year-old who was a group one 3-year-old winner.
His wind-up finishing sprint will be perfectly suited to the long Pukekohe home straight and the prospect of a rain-affected track is ideal.
So is the field that is talented, but considerably lesser than meeting Seachange at weight-for-age.
"Put it this way, I'd rather tackle this field than give weight to Seachange over 1600m," said Ritchie.
"If we're going to tackle Seachange, I'd rather it was at 2000m than at 1600m."
This morning Ritchie will, as required, be reporting to the stewards that Magic Cape missed a gallop last Saturday morning.
"He slightly knocked a joint, but it's nothing serious," he said.
"I had the vets check him out before he galloped on Tuesday and there was no issue.
"I really don't expect the missed gallop to be a problem, but I'm duty-bound to report it."
Ritchie said he was delighted with Tuesday's trackwork.
"I've been mixing his work with swimming and he seems to be thriving on it.
"I'm a little bit surprised at the strength of Saturday's field, but I won't be using that as an excuse. As a 2000 Guineas winner he comes in well at the weights as a 4-year-old and we'll know exactly where we are after the race.
"At his level in the weights he's in a position to be a handicap horse this spring, but the Kelt is where the money is and if you're half good enough, that's where you have to be.
"The handicap races Magic Cape could be set for are 10 per cent of the Kelt Stakes."
The Pukekohe track was yesterday morning rated at 4.3 and slow, but a fine day yesterday should have brought that rating in.
Ritchie is delighted that there is give in the footing, but does not want to see the rating deteriorate.
"As much as I'm happy with the track the way it is at the moment, because he can handle the wet, I don't want to see it get worse.
"A hard race second-up from a spell would be the wrong thing for him when you're only two weeks out from the Kelt. Rain on the day would be a worry for me."
Magic Cape was ridden by comeback jockey Jason Waddell when he resumed to finish third at Tauranga recently, but he will be ridden on Saturday by his 2000 Guineas rider Patrick Holmes, who is returning from Australia for the mount.
