Racing: Naturo the perfect anchor for Hastings Pick6 pot

It's nice that Naturo sneaked into the $250,000 Pick6 at Hastings today.

Anchors are hard to find in Pick6s, but Naturo definitely looks one in Race 5, the $70,000 Highview Stakes.

If Naturo's Breeders Stakes win at Matamata in February wasn't enough to convince you that she is in the running for the top spot among the fillies at three, then the barrier trial win at Taupo a few weeks ago should be.

With three-from-four Chartreuse engaged and the likes of Italia and Magic Tryst to greatly add to the talent index in this field, the price might be acceptable today.

The Pick6 immediately gets tougher. Cedar Manor (No5), Zarius (No4), Shamrock Star (No8) and possibly Balmuse (No1) are must includes and don't be surprised if Our Johny (No6) beats them all. He is a quality horse and is resuming after a forced spell. There will probably be a little improvement in the horse, but Raymond Connors is smart enough to have him ready for this. . Shamrock Star is stepping up in class and distance, but is a stayer on the way up. Zarius looked smart running home into fifth when resuming at Ruakaka and will lap up the extra distance.

Figueres (No1, R7) deserves to be favourite for a special conditions maiden after his half-length second to Alberto in the Guineas at Wanganui. The only slight niggle is that in five raceday starts he has not raced on ground better than slow and today's footing should be perfect. Its doubtful that will stop him, but it should encourage you to add in at least one other chance. Pinot Grigio (No7) looked smart in three juvenile starts last season. He has not raced since June, but Murray Baker is good at having them fit for a first-up effort. He Kin Danske (No6) and Grant Cooksley scored a nice first-up Foxton win and Saucy Az (No3) is worth a ticket. She found the footing a touch too firm when a handy fourth to Giovanni in a strong field on Mudgway day and although she is unlikely to find more give this time, the opposition is marginally easier.

Then you've got the big one. Who wouldn't want to witness Seachange taking on Darci Brahma and Kristov? You have to take the three to be safe - there's little between them at their best and luck will almost certainly decide the result. Ralph Manning knows he has worked improvement into Seachange (No10, R8), Kristov (No1) is a much fitter horse this time around and Mark Walker knows Darci Brahma (No7) is unlikely to strike the same traffic problems that helped bring him undone in the Mudgway. What a race. Seachange is the one if you have to narrow it down to one for a win bet, but take all three in the Pick6.

Plenty will want to anchor Baldessarini (No2, R9) and you could do worse. He hasn't raced since the group one Telegraph in January, but has been in work a while and will have pulled a lot of benefit from the barrier trials at Cambridge and Te Teko. He is a class act. The outside barrier draw is a slight worry, but don't forget he won the Railway from the outside gate and that was more difficult than this. Jurys Out (No4) is nicely poised from the three gate to be right in the play throughout. He has won on four of the eight occasions he has raced when fresh so don't be surprised if he looks the winner at some stage of the home straight. It's probably a race where you anchor Baldessarini or take five or six. For those punters, Manten (No7), Dezigna (No6) and Clifton Prince (No1) look the way to go and what about Rationalize (No9) as the blowout. Her form in Australia was good.

Kays Awake (No4, R10) is a deserving favourite in the last leg. She always looked as though she would make into a nice horse and there was a suggestion that she's finally arrived when she won on Mudgway day. The step from 1200m to 1400m will do her no harm. Molta (No11) should not be discarded. She looked smart from limited racing last season and has won on the course and over this distance. The Taupo win last start was no fluke for Rosetti Bay (No2). She perhaps mixed her form last season, but if she can replicate her last start effort then she is right in this. In an open field, Out Of Align (No6) might sprint well at 1400m while fresh, Subtle (No1) the same and Happy Harry (No3) did not get the best of runs behind Kays Awake on Mudgway day.

At Paeroa, Madamvizelle (No6, R1) could be a good way to start the day. She wasn't really sighted at Ellerslie two weeks ago, but the track was too heavy. She is nicely drawn to get the right trip and for a smallish mare, the 2kg Troy Harris rips off her back will be important.

You just had to like the way Prangelica (No5, R5) drove home to finish fourth when resuming over 1600m at Ellerslie last start. That low, even galloping action will be well suited to the 2200m today and she is well placed to score.

What a race the $50,000 Evans Classic is going to be. Stablemates El Perez (No5, R8) and Focal Point (No11) feature highly. The footing will suit El Perez again and he looks the safest each-way bet. Don't Ya Lovett (No2) finished nearly four lengths behind El Perez at Ellerslie and because there are no apprentice claims in this race, he meets him 2kg worse this time.