Racing: Pick6 riches built round Ex Ex Al

One New Zealand household holds the key to this afternoon's $1 million Pick6 at New Plymouth.

The master lock should be opened by Ex Ex Al, who looks the best Pick6 anchor we've seen for a decent stretch.

Trainer Tracey Bliss says the big, rangy chestnut has gone on the right way since his beaten performance at Te Rapa last start.

The other main key for the six-race punt is held by Bliss' life partner, local trainer Allan Sharrock.

Sharrock believes his first Pick6 chance, Diamond Maid (No10, R7) might just be found wanting in condition on a very heavy track.

Go Thenaki (No2, R8), he says, is never an easy horse to nail down.

"You never know when he's going to show up with his A game. He had a hurdle trial on Monday and every time I've threatened him with his first jumping start he's lifted his game. That might be a clue to his performance this time, but Tracey looks to have a mortgage on the race with Ex Ex Al."

Sharrock would not be surprised if he won the last two Pick6 legs. He has last-start winner Hautap Hunny (No3) in Race 9 and says: "Winning Ellerslie form is good form when you come to Taranaki next start."

He is probably most confident with two runners in the last leg.

"Sheza Dooley probably should have won both her last two starts and should be right in it. Karaka Belle (No4) is going up a grade, but has won her last two very nicely."

It's never easy risking the lot in a million-dollar jackpot on the chances of one horse, but Ex Ex Al looks a special.

Simply being able to keep going in the very heavy ground today is going to be crucial, and Ex Ex Al takes stickability to an art form. In fact, he takes so long to almost lazily wind up to full momentum he gives punters heart attacks.

Once he does though, there is no stopping him.

It's easy to say forget a last-start beaten performance on a racehorse, but it works for Ex Ex Al's Te Rapa fourth on July 29.

It was his first serious race on anything but heavy footing and although the track that day was officially rated as slow, it raced more like a dead track. Although not appearing to be comfortable, the big bloke came from last to grind home nicely to be only 2.2 lengths from Shanamann.

The footing today will be as heavy as he needs and more, and although you would probably like to see the distance a fraction longer than the 1800m, it shouldn't be a factor.

For those that don't like anchoring for a million dollars, Eye Of Horus (No3) and Woodbury Lane (No1) are insurance.

Leg 1
Coin Collection (No1), Good Shot (No3) and Waiknotme (No5) are must-includes.

The 2kg Chad Ormsby will pull off Waiknotme will become important late in the race. Puahue Magic (No6) will probably have benefited from a short break and the track at Te Rapa last week was probably a fraction too firmish for Good Shot, who still managed to finish within three lengths of Thunder Road. Calmbee (No9) and Doctor La Bonga (No10) are value runners.

Leg 2
St Maria Deleuca (No4) will start favourite and deserves high ranking on form. The less consistent Republican Star (No6) finished only 1.25 lengths behind her in second place on this track on June 6 and this time meets her 4kg better off. A 4kg weight differential in today's footing is massive. Put them both in.

Ocean Storm (No2) rates highly if Roger James decides this morning to race here in preference to Ellerslie. This is not an easy race. Mighty Tata (No9) deserves a look, even if only because of two wins on the course.

Leg 3
Plenty will leave Kenny Starfighter (No2) out because of the 1200m, but that would be a mistake. His sole win at this distance was in this race last year and they ran the 1200m in a bit worse than 1.14 - they'll run 1.18 today and that will assist him further. He can power home when he gets the right conditions and he's going to get them.

Plenty will drop Mick Curtis (No1) for the same reason. Another mistake. He won fresh last campaign over 1400m and this will be more like 1400m. He is underrated. Cullcha (No8) and Tom Tom Cat (No4) have respect.

Leg 4
Ex Ex Al. He failed at Te Rapa last time but don't expect it to happen again.

Leg 5
Tricky race. If you were going to take the field in one leg, this is the one. Lisa Cropp got on so well with Hautap Hunny (No3) to win at Ellerslie last start and they make a lot of appeal in what is a hugely even line-up. Waitui Belle (No13) has been carrying full weight lately and will benefit from a 2kg Chad Ormsby allowance and Kirianna (No6) hasn't had a lot of luck in similar fields lately.

Leg 6
It will pay to go skinny in a few of the early legs, because there is barely a runner in this last leg that cannot win.

Osmeheeps (No5) turned in a big second for new trainer Alexander Fieldes last start and he should be further improved. You wouldn't want to be going into the race without Allan Sharrock's pair Sheza Dooley (No1) and Karaka Belle (No4) and you also have to include Star O' The Ball (No2). The genuine mare has been running in stronger fields than this and is a course winner. Placed form around Ex Ex Al and Eye Of Horus gives Long White (No3) a hope.

Conclusion: Ex Ex Al looks an anchor and Kenny Starfighter is close to one. The other legs are tough.