Racing: Pick6 hopefuls spread wide and have faith

Monday's terminating $100,000 Pick6 at Ellerslie told you how difficult landing a Pick6 in winter can be.

Primo Canera and Waikiki Prince were both second favourites in winning the first two legs and how difficult can it be at this time of year to include Ken and Ann Browne-trained runners in hurdles and steeplechase races.

Shanamann was far and away the best horse in the Cornwall Handicap and proved it, then a real up and comer in El Perez got home at $2.55.

Sure, the fifth leg winner French Crest was at long odds, but he was one of the five runners in the field that had won his last start.

Don DeOreo had won two starts back at Te Aroha and did not cause much of a surprise in winning the final leg.

Overall, you had to say that wasn't an extremely difficult Pick6 by some standards, yet less than one full unit struck the entire pool.

If there is one lesson to be learned from that, it is that you simply have to GET the result, regardless of how small you have to go in taking it down to a percentage.

Spread wide and hope for an outside result in at least one leg - you almost always get one at this time of year.

So how do we apply that lesson to today's $500,000 non-terminating affair at Te Rapa?

Going wide looks necessary, because there does not appear to be anything that looks remotely like an anchor.

LEG 1:

A lot of punters are likely to be out of business as early as this first race. It's not a big maiden field, but it's loaded with chances.

Waitui Belle (No 11), Tudor Princess (No 10), (No 9) and (No 8) are probably all musts.

Then you've got Jim Gibbs' first starter St Abbs (No 3), a barrier trial winner on debut, and Hayella (No 12). Hayella looked good on debut when third on this track then struck trouble in a stronger field last start. It will be a popular win for club president Dave Smith.

LEG 2:

If you can narrow a leg down, this might be it. Graphite Girl (No 4) had absolutely no luck at Ellerslie last week after drawing barrier No 15 of 15 runners. She was back and wide and Grant Cooksley had little choice but to move forward to get a spot and at least be in touch with the pace. It left the mare vulnerable and she did well to be only two lengths from the winner Luck's A Fortune. It is the other extreme this time - barrier No 1 and Cooksley will be left with more options. If there is a slight concern it is backing up in seven days after a tough run, but she is worth the risk in this field.

This track will come up better than most runners have been used to in the past month. French Beau (No 1) has winning form on good ground and through to slow, so he should be able to manage what should be a good slow surface today. He was only 1.25 lengths off Art Link in a R94 event on this course two starts back and drops to R76 here. Ornate (No 6) could be the Pick6 giant killer. She will be fitter for two runs this preparation, will appreciate the step up to the middle distance and also the fact that the conditions are improved. She is up to most of these at her best. Multi Tasker (No 5) proved costly last week, but perhaps should be given one more chance stepping up to 2000m.

LEG 3:

This is an open handicap in name, but doesn't really look like one. The Guitar Man (No 6) only battled when well supported at Ellerslie last week, but the slightly better footing and back to left-handed racing should see improvement. Overall his form is very good.

From Heaven (No 1) has to carry his full 58kg because there are no apprentice allowances. He won well on his home track at Te Teko and even at the weights rates some chance.

Vinopolis (No 3) failed at Rotorua, but so did a lot of horses that day and back on a bit better track he is probably worth including and Auckland Blues (No4) is capable of an upset. Toss up on including Havascotch (No 7), depending on what your spending is. His form is very solid, but he's stepping up from R76 races.

LEG 4:

Vamperalla (No 5) hasn't been able to find the winning post for a while, but she doesn't look to have lost much ability. She was caught in the last few strides on this track two starts back and her rider that day, Lisa Cropp, is back in the saddle, which could be significant.

Texas (No 6), Spinning Meteor (No 1) and Shar Ari (No 4) are all strong chances and must be included for safety. Spinning Meteor has looked very smart on occasions and even though he has won on heavy footing, today's conditions should suit better.

The chance runner is Figure Of Speech (No 7). He has not won when fresh previously, but he showed terrific form in the wet in the spring. Once again it comes down to your spending.

LEG 5:

This is a very good field. Sea Shells (No 5), Superalloy (No 6) and Zamfir (No 7) are all going to end up in better grades and the likes of Ascot Isle (No 10), Miss Ivy (No 1) and Veil (No 2) are very capable.

The track looked a shade too heavy for Superalloy when he resumed for his second at Ellerslie last start and today's conditions should suit better. He should go very close.

Sea Shells won on this day last year at Trentham and her first-up open handicap third at Foxton suggested she is close to another victory. Zamfir might have been only fourth last start, but she was just half a length from Luckshan on this track and looks well placed to be right in this. Heza Cool Dude (No 3) and James Scott (No 4) are a pair for those going very wide in the last two legs.

LEG 6:

You've done well if you're still live going into this. La Force (No 6) is one of those you have to include. It took a very strong finish by a smart sort in Doringo to deny her victory on this track last start and she deserves a winning turn.

Restitution (No 13) has not placed in either of his two starts this preparation, but he should be a lot fitter for them. Fascinator (No 9) landed the money with a dashing finish at Hastings last start.

There are plenty of upset chances below this trio, but there is little to choose between them. Perhaps the best could be Lisvane Lady (No 7) and Waitui Music (No 5).