KEY POINTS:
Waikato trainer Ralph Manning is in no doubt about what he expects from his star mare Seachange tomorrow.
"If she runs up to her New Zealand form she should kill that field," he says.
The multiple group one winner chases a breakthrough Australian victory in the group three A$125,500 ($142,000) Mannerism Stakes (1400m) for mares.
It's a significant class drop from Seachange's previous start a fortnight ago in the group one Orr Stakes in which she led before finishing fifth, two lengths behind one of Australia's top gallopers, El Segundo.
Under set weights conditions of tomorrow's race, Seachange carries topweight of 57.5kg and drew the outside barrier in the 10-horse field.
Manning was unconcerned by the draw, saying he expected Seachange would settle handy but definitely not lead as she did last start.
Australian jockey Michael Rodd retains the mount after riding her for the first time in the Orr when she was caught in the worst of the tricky track conditions.
"She was a victim of circumstance last start and everything was heading out wide," Manning said. "The draw's not a major. She's had bad draws her whole career and it might even help if the track's that way again."
Manning said Seachange galloped "super" at Caulfield on Tuesday and had a quiet hit-out at Kyneton yesterday.
The trainer's only fear was forecast rain in Melbourne tomorrow, with Seachange unhappy on a shifty track.
Hardest to beat will be the John Smerdon-trained Coniston Gem who won her sixth race from seven starts at Caulfield a fortnight ago.
* Meanwhile, two of New Zealand's high-profile recent exports will line up in other races on a star-studded programme at Caulfield.
King Of Ashford, formerly trained by Karen Zimmerman at Otaki, tackles the weight-for-age St George Stakes (1800m) with a possible view to next month's Australian Cup.
King Of Ashford resumed racing in his first start for top Australian trainer Lee Freedman with a huge win under 60kg over 1400m at Caulfield a fortnight ago.
Another Freedman acquisition, the former Richard Otto-trained Sphenophyta, resumes over 1400m in the Carlyon Cup.
Sphenophyta is being prepared for a Sydney raid on the Doncaster Handicap (1600m) in April.
- NZPA
