KEY POINTS:
Do not try telling jumps jockey-turned trainer Aaron Tata it is just a minor midweek meeting at Pukekohe today.
The very reason he's still in the saddle - with hurdler Just Jeff - looks to ignite a fresh campaign in the highweight.
Then an hour later he saddles the best advertisement his fledging training operation has had so far, Matamata Breeders' placegetter Khepri.
If Khepri wins the Frank Sing Lawyers 1200 - or at worst is an unlucky loser - she firms up plans for a start in the $175,000 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) Saturday week.
It's a quantum leap from a midweek maiden, but Tata is adamant the Faltaat filly deserves her shot.
While her Breeders' placing was aided by a below par Crossyourheart, who bled during the running, Tata believes the run proved his stable star is well above average.
But then again Tata, who has handled Khepri right through, has known that privately for a long time.
He's just thrilled that owners Monty and Judy Henderson got a quick black-type payback for the faith they've shown in handing him the reins.
"She was supposed to go to another trainer but has ended up staying here so we're rapt,' says Tata.
"To get black type with her at Matamata was just what everyone dreamed of - that was the first horse I've had in a group race."
Tata feels Khepri should have struck black-type gold even earlier than Matamata.
At Ellerslie last November - in just her second career start - Khepri had her chances extinguished by a final bend skirmish in the listed Murdoch Newell Stakes, won by Crossyourheart.
"Craig Grylls said she was travelling as good as the winner when she got knocked sideways," Tata said.
With Breeders rider Lisa Cropp suspended, Michael Coleman takes over for Khepri's Sires Produce trial today.
Tata's only instructions will be to give his filly plenty of time to find her feet in a race stacked with promising types.
"She normally jumps handy, but we don't want to chase them," he said.
Tata is confident that Just Jeff can strike first for his stable in the opener.
Two race-day flat tune-ups and a solid school over fences have the 7-year-old forward enough to threaten a field of this class.
"I think he's just about ready," said Tata, who also takes the mount. "If he schools well he normally fronts up next start."
Tired of wasting to make raceday weights, Tata, 35, admits Just Jeff is the only reason he's fronting again to ride this winter. "I was prepared to give up to concentrate on training, but I'll keep going for another year because of him. I think he's in for a big season."
