Racing: Pasta Post to stamp his class

It's that time of year again.

The time when the summer horses, with form galore behind them, are joined by autumn types who have avoided the very firm tracks.

And to sweeten the pot for some surprises, a bit of rain is thrown in.

Boy, can those conditions test the punter. Tomorrow we see outstanding but unsound stayer Pasta Post resume in the $20,000 United Cleaning Services 1400.

At least he will if the footing is reasonable. Pasta Post is so talented he's won eight of his career 11 starts and it's anyone's guess what his record would look like if soundness problems had not dogged him.

Stayers race well over 1400m when fresh - Pasta Post has had two goes at the distance and is so far unbeaten. The 59kg looks tough on paper, but he's a lump of a horse and he's more than good enough to carry it.

If the bit of rain predicted for today happened to affect the track, the advantage could swing to another fresh runner in Cent Per Cent.

The former Sydney galloper is underrated and with a barrier trial behind him he's probably in close-enough shape to add to his record of two fresh-up wins. After some head-scratching performances, Beautiful Girl finally put a run on the board with her solid-finishing second to Ego at Matamata.

Ego and Indikator are other chances.

WEEKEND WINNERS

We are going to find out exactly how powerful weight is in deciding races in Race 9 at Trentham.

Or, maybe not.

Amaryllis received 2.5kg off Vincent Mangano when she beat him by 1.3 lengths at Ellerslie last start.

This time, they are on the same weight. Different result? Probably not on this occasion because you have to take into account the ease of the victory.

Unless, of course, the track is rain-affected, then Vincent gets his chance.

Karaka Standout: Burgundy (Redoute's Choice - Grand Echezeaux) makes his raceday debut in Race 5 at Te Rapa tomorrow. He looked good winning at the Cambridge barrier trials and has drawn No 2.

No Standout: There might not be an obvious rising star among the capacity field in the St Leger at Trentham, but try picking the trifecta in three. Or find a horse and declare it can't win on forfeit of your golf clubs.

Best value each-way: She Rules (Race 9) if the Trentham surface is even slightly rain-affected. Goes well fresh and loves a bit of easing in the ground.