Racing: Seachange happy to run on dead track

Seachange will run in today's $1 million Kelt Capital provided there is no overnight rain in Hastings.

Ownership manager Rick Williams told the Herald that only a worsening of track conditions would see Seachange withdrawn and sent to Australia to race.

"They are saying the track is around 3.4 at the moment and if that's the case we're probably looking at a dead track tomorrow and we're happy to run on a dead surface."

Williams had just spoken to his trainer Ralph Manning and rider Gavin McKeon, as they walked the Hastings track.

Ralph said he wasn't happy to run if the track got worse and this race means a lot of money to him.

"But we want to run hey, it's $600,000 to the winner - but she'll try so hard it'll stuff her up for Australia later if the track is too testing.

"She'd try her guts out because that's the only way she knows."

The forecast was for improving overnight weather with fine conditions today.

One who believes a decent surface will prevail is injured jockey Hayden Tinsley.

"Hastings is always better than the official track reading.

"You never get to Hastings and find its worse than they say."

Tinsley has tipped Seachange to beat Legs and Balmuse.

"That's very much based on the fact that the track is only dead. I wouldn't be confident of my tips if it rained tonight."

All Black and racehorse owner Marty Hollah has tipped Wahid to beat Seachange and Pentane.

Hollah is part owner of promising 3-year-old colt Royal Emperium, who won stylishly on debut at Gisborne two weeks ago. The colt is one of the prominent runners in Race 1 at Hastings today.

Noel Harris, riding Arlingtonboulevard at Matamata today, said like many he was confused by the race the way the conditions had come up.

"It's hard to tip Seachange and its just as hard not to.

"Just the way they'll run the race it's probably going to suit Pentane, so I've gone for him."

Ross "Butch" Fisher, form analyst and manager for Opie Bosson, says he's similarly confused.

"I admit I'm not confident about this race. I've gone for Pentane to beat Seachange, even though it's difficult to tip against a mare as good as her."