By MIKE DILLON
The key to tomorrow's $25,000 Ra Ora/Haunui McGregor Grant Steeplechase is recovery rate.
Recovery from the $100,000 Mercedes Great Northern 12 days earlier and Tony Cole reckons he has the inside running on that score with the big race winner Royal Ways.
"He's recovered really well from it, certainly better than most of them would have," said Cole yesterday.
"He was tired for a couple of days, but you expect that and now he's right back on his game."
Cole is not too disappointed with the 1.5kg weight increase for winning the big race and while carrying 65kg around Ellerslie is never easy, he sees it as a winning possibility.
Ken and Ann Browne have five of the 10 acceptors, with all their big guns engaged.
Their Mercedes top fancy Boon's Boy will again attract plenty of support, but Cole rates stablemate Drops O'Rain as more dangerous.
"He's a proven three mile horse around Ellerslie with his Pakuranga Hunt Cup win and that's a very important factor.
The two legs of the TAB double are about as wide open as they could be, although Opaki visitor Patronage, owned by Graeme "Steel Balls" Bruton, is almost certain to start favourite in the $12,000 Ashford Farm Handicap.
A big punt on Patronage in the corresponding race on Queen's Birthday at Ellerslie did not come off, but trainer Jim Wallace was not disappointed with the horse's fourth.
"He always takes three or four runs to get fit and that race seemed to tidy him up nicely," said Wallace, who expects one of last winter's flat stars to go closer this time.
Mr McGerkle looked another big improver when he chased Clarify home last start, but his favourite wet, loose footing may not eventuate unless there are showers to ease what looks like being a tough, holding track.
Clarify's win was no fluke and regardless of the conditions he rates highly again, while Dollars 'N' Gold and Master Pom are the value runners.
Petanque is rapidly heading into veteran territory, but he retains enough ability to say he can be hard to beat in the $18,000 Magness Benrow-Fisher & Paykel 1200.
The winner of six races at Ellerslie resumed two weeks ago and even with a 4.5kg allowance failed to find the placings, but he is rising eight and it is not unreasonable to believe that he may have needed just one race.
The weight special in the race looks like being Stylish Prospect, who was beaten two and a quarter lengths by Yes Or No here two weeks ago.
With an apprentice allowance this time, Stylish Prospect meets Yes Or No 3kg better off.
Racing: Royal Ways back on his game
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