Racing: Ryan Mark a likely Pick6 anchor

Central Districts galloper Humidor is creating a big impression and is a must for Pick6 punters today at Hastings. Photo / Race Images.

For a share of a guaranteed $300,000 Pick6 at Hastings today it might look reckless to anchor a couple of races.

But in balance, it might be the safest approach. There are at least two races that look potential one-horse races and a couple of others that look anything but.

The pool will probably rise above the $300,000 guarantee, so a smaller percentage will be ideal if you can jag a decent priced runner in the races you need to go wide in.

First leg: Francaletta (No 6, R4) is the warm favourite for the Baker/Forsman stable and no surprise after her dynamic debut win at Matamata.

However, it may not pay to anchor her. Miss Silverback (No 7) covered a huge amount of extra ground around the home bend when winning at Taupo last start.

O'Reilly's Choice (No 10) has a wide barrier to contend with and finished only fifth last start, but that was behind Ugo Foscolo and Hall Of Fame, a much stronger line-up than this.

He took a couple of lengths off both those horses in the final 300m. Impulsive Habit (No 15) is one more chance if extra cover is desirable.

Second leg: Ryan Mark (No 1, R5) is one you could anchor. He went to Ruakaka in the Valley Girl/Hasselhoof race and looked huge in condition and raced that way.

He will be a lot fitter for a race that is significantly easier and the 3kg Timothy Johnson takes off him brings him down to a manageable 57kg. His Hastings record is four starts for two wins and two placings.

For those not wanting an anchor, Silver Eclipse (No 4) and Eletist (No 5) look good savers, with perhaps an outside chance given to Ginner Hart (No 3), who has a good record at this meeting and looks well placed at the weights with Sam Weatherley's claim.

Third leg: This is definitely not a race to anchor, a mixture of experience and potentially enormous emerging talent that could get into the frame late here.

If you want to take a narrow Pick6, Sassy 'N' Smart (No 6) is probably your choice. She was knocked out of contention in the Diamond Stakes last autumn then could not manage the wet track at Manawatu.

Worth remembering is that stable jockey Matt Cameron chose to ride Sassy 'N' Smart ahead of Heroic Valour who won the Diamond.

Bella Gioia (No 4) has to overcome a wide gate, but will have fitness on her side if she does. Mystery Show (No 5) is under-rated and Volpe Veloce (No 2), Gold Rush (No 3) and Honey Rider (No 7) are musts if you want a spread.

Fourth leg: Humidor (No 11, R7) is a potential anchor. He is the veteran of only seven races, but looks a stayer of enormous potential.

He is jumping from R75 to open company, which is never easy, but he drops from 58.5kg to 53kg. That is easy. Not a lot among the rest of the opposition, but forced to sort out one, you'd probably go for Savaria (No 7).

Fifth leg: It will be a surprise if Kawi (No 1, R8) is beaten in the Windsor Park Plate. It will certainly be that to the punter who plunged $40,000 on Kawi at $1.90 at the Te Rapa TAB yesterday.

Kawi is such a dominant favourite - so far of the $63,000 bet on the race, $60,000 is on Kawi. If there is a danger and bad luck is a constant danger in any race, it's Rasa Lila (No 7), who will be ridden by visiting Sydney hoop Jason Collett.

Sixth leg: This is a race you have to go WIDE in.

You need Get That Jive (No 3, R9), Kolonel Kev (No 4), Lady Zafira (No 7), Mae West (No 8), Darci Mac (No 11), Shadows Cast (No 13), Promise To Reign (No 14) and Galaxy Miss (No 15). And a LOT of luck.