By MIKE DILLON
We'll see the first genuine winter track at Te Rapa today and Creme De Honor should take advantage of it.
The Takanini gelding is one of New Zealand's finest mudders and looks suited perfectly to the 1600m on a surface which might tie up a few of the runners.
Creme De Honor has had only the one run since a summer spell when he found the firm conditions too much for him at Avondale, but comes to form quickly and will be ready for his big test today.
What a great thing it would be if the Ken and Ann Browne stable could kick a goal today.
All Rhythm, Gold Story and Lost In The Flood give them a fair hand in the Meltzer's Suit'N' Shoes Steeplechase and Gold Miller and Smart Hunter are capable of winning the Warehouse Building Suppiles Hurdles.
Willie Tee (No8, R6) might be very hard to beat in the steeplechase after his terrific second to Harding at Ellerslie last start.
His stablemate Sir Avion (No1, R1) will be at even shorter odds to start the day. He finished second to Harding the week before at Ellerslie and strikes a much easier maiden field this time. The wetter track will suit perfectly.
Knight Errant (No1, R2) may not have the race fitness for such a tough task as today's track may present, but he has never lacked ability, despite a few circus tricks. He showed he was at least on the right road to fitness when he won a trial at Ellerslie last month.
Starzoo (No3, R5) has impressed greatly with her finishing touches lately. She has failed in her two starts so far on heavy tracks, but they were well before she found her current solid patch of form and may be much more ready for this tyoe of race now. Daanakbar (No4) is a value runner.
The Chairman (No5, R7) has worked well since his handy fourth in a useful field at Avondale last week. He looked good in his winning debut on a soft track here two starts back and while he lacks the experience of some of these runners, he should hold his own.
Adonis (No3, R9), Call Me Zeus (No7) and Jaiapeno (No5) stand out in the sprint and coupling them up in quinellas and trifectas looks the way to go. If you want to throw in another one look at Ma Danseuse (No2).
Okiwi Bay (No1, R10) has a tough task under 58kg in his first start back from a spell, but he has a fair bit of class. He has won two of his three starts fresh from a break. The real value runner is Millnorm (No13), who will be improved for his first-up effort at Ellerslie.
Racing: Mudders should relish start of winter racing
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