KEY POINTS:
Since Gee I Jane is a leading chance in today's $200,000 Telegraph Handicap then so too must be Kay's Awake, says Waikato trainer Peter McKay.
His theory stems from the Railway Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 1 when Gee I Jane finished second and Kay's Awake fifth.
McKay sees the effort of both horses as on a par and that's the reason he believes his horse, Kay's Awake, must be accorded a good chance at Trentham.
Kay's Awake came from last in the group one $200,000 Railway to finish 1.3 lengths from the winner while Gee I Jane was beaten half a head, just over a length in front of Kay's Awake.
McKay said Gee I Jane had the jump on Kay's Awake at the top of the straight as rider David Walsh had to decide whether to take Kay's Awake inside or outside Gee I Jane.
"He's gone to the outside and she's finished as quick as Gee I Jane," McKay said.
"When Gee I Jane kicked she put 1 1/2 lengths on Kay's Awake but was only a length from her at the finish. They all talked about Gee I Jane's run, but to me, Kay's Awake finished just as quick."
Kay's Awake got a long way back in the Railway and McKay hopes that will not be the case today from barrier six.
"She was actually a length behind the second-last horse with 600 to go in the Railway and they were spread over about 15 lengths," McKay said.
"She doesn't have to race that far back. Hopefully she can race about midfield, get cover and get some luck in the straight."
Kay's Awake was yesterday at much longer odds than Gee I Jane on the New Zealand TAB's fixed-odds market. She was a $15 chance while Gee I Jane was a $4 second favourite.
Gee I Jane goes into the race with three recent races under her girth and her Waikato trainer, Neville Couchman, this week said he had not seen the horse looking better.
Darci Brahma today remained the favourite. He had firmed from $3 on Thursday to $2.80 yesterday.
- NZPA
