By MIKE DILLON
It was a nervous Roger James who yesterday saw only 11 nominations for the $120,000 Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes at Awapuni on Saturday.
Fewer than 10 runners in the group one feature would mean James' unbeaten filly Spring Rain is out of contention for the $1 million three-race bonus.
Spring Rain won the first leg of that treble, the Wakefield Stakes at Trentham.
Victory this weekend would mean only the Ellerslie running of the Sires Produce at Easter stands between Spring Rain and the million dollars.
Last autumn Melbourne trainer David Hall missed out on a $A500,000 South Australian fillies triple bonus with Episode when only six fillies lined up in the final leg, the SA Oaks at Morphettville.
Classy Sydney colt Pins was lucky to land the $A250,000 Melbourne triple crown three weeks ago after Redoute's Choice was scratched on the morning of the $A1 million Cadbury Guineas, reducing the field to seven runners.
The insurance company underwriting the bonus waived its clause that eight runners were required.
Manawatu Racing Club racing manager Brent Wall is extremely confident all 11 runners will get to the start.
"I rang the trainer of every nominee yesterday. They all said they were running and every one gave me a rider.
"At the end of the day it is a group one race."
The connections of Spring Rain will feel even more assured when the final acceptance payment of $562 is paid today.
James said yesterday, that, while a million dollars is a million dollars, it will cease to be important if he does not win the race.
"My first concern is winning it. After that I'll worry about the money."
James' concern is justified. While Spring Rain has looked outstanding so far, she has yet to meet two late emerging stars in Alberton Star and the unbeaten Star Satire.
Star Satire is prepared by Ross Taylor, who trained in partnership with James, and showed she could be anything by breaking the track record at Te Aroha last start without being asked for a serious effort.
"They are the pair I'm worried about, but I have no reason to doubt my filly.
"To date she has answered my every call including leading, sitting back in the field and taking on the colt [Willie Capone] and digging deep, which she did admirably.
"This is a new bunch coming in and it's another challenge."
A challenge is exactly what Taylor wants for Star Satire, who has yet to be put under real pressure in a barrier trial or in her two raceday appearances.
That lack of tough competition does not worry Taylor, despite Saturday's red-hot field.
"I've no doubt she'll find plenty under pressure. I'm not saying she'll win, but I'm very confident she'll give everything she's got when the test comes.
"She's a good-natured filly around the stables, but is very aggressive around other horses and she'll fight when she needs to.
"The extra competition this time will actually help her because she's starting to lose concentration through winning so easy and you can't blame her for that."
Star Satire has led in both races, but Taylor won't be too worried if she sits off the pace this time.
"I believe she'll be better coming from behind. She's got a terrific turn of foot."
Rival trainer Keith Hawtin said while he had respect for Star Satire he thought Spring Rain was the one to beat given her unbeaten record.
"But we have two good chances in Royston and Princess Marengo who will acquit themselves well," Hawtin said.
"Their work has been good and they wouldn't mind a shower or two of rain."
Both horses performed well at their last starts. Princess Marengo was third at Te Aroha behind Star Satire while Royston was fourth at New Plymouth behind Alberton Star.
The likely field is.- Hey Pronto, B Herd; Little Jamie, L O'Sullivan; Porta, D Bradley; Royston, H Tinsley; Spotyalater, P Taylor; Alberton Star, O Bosson; Princess Marengo, N Harris; Secret Liaisons, J Walker; Spring Rain, V Colgan; Star Satire, M Coleman; Trinity College, M Du Plessis.
Racing: More rivals the merrier for Spring Rain camp
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