Racing: Tough choices in $500,000 Pick6

From the No 2 gate there will be no excuses for Lady Kipling in Leg 4 at Te Rapa. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Six races in three greatly varying districts - you deserve a decent slice of half a million dollars if you get it right in today's $500,000 turbo terminating Pick6.

Leg 1 Te Rapa R8: Undertheradar (No3) is the must on all tickets.

He's come to form at the right time, he's super consistent and from the No 4 draw he's going to enjoy the perfect passage. He deserves to be favourite. Roddick (No9) chased him home at Ellerslie last start and is also in his best form. After disappointing for a time, Yin Yang Master (No7) has been in more solid form lately. He was a winner on this track two starts back and wasn't the worst at Ellerslie last time and will appreciate the 2400m. Celtic Chief (No5) is a real chance and the best upsetter is I'll'ava'alf (No8). He covered a huge amount of extra ground to get handy on the home bend at Ellerslie last week and wasn't that far away even though placed 10th. He goes up a grade, but drops from 59kg to 50.5kg through being ridden by apprentice Anna Jones. Watch for a big run.

Leg 2 Ascot Park R9: Having a Southland race here is as popular as a Toronto mayor. Sir Singo (No6) is almost certainly a must. He goes up a grade here, but drops from 61kg to 56.5kg and went close under the big weight last start. Jamie Bullard rides as well as any in the South Island. Belle D'Or (No1) and Split Decision (No3) are dropping back from open company and each has a 2kg apprentice allowance, putting them right in contention. Bragging Rights (No10) has talent and the blowout could come from Confused (No5), which most of us will be at the end of the day.

Leg 3 Manawatu R8: The good barrier makes Casino (No10) the horse to beat. Overall the field was stronger when he finished seventh last start, but mainly what helped put him out of contention was mid-programme rain and he was in the last race. Better conditions today should see him much harder to beat. If I Can I Can (No12) finished a close second in that race and is clearly on the verge of a win. She will be greatly assisted by an inside barrier. You need to go as wide as the budget will allow here - it's wide open.

You either anchor Casino and close your eyes, or take as many as you can afford.

High Fashion (No11) will be improved and Dillinger (No5) and Ballybrit (No3) are value runners. Probably the toughest leg.

Leg 4 Te Rapa, R9: You should be safe with Lady Kipling (No1) and O'Fille (No3). At level weights Lady Kipling is beautifully poised.

Her form is fantastic and from the No 2 gate there will be no excuses.

O'Fille is continually underrated. She can match most at her best and everything suggests she is rapidly approaching that.

Leg 5 Manawatu, R9: If this was at level weights and Barnie O'Marnie (No1) had a decent barrier he'd be $1.75. Unfortunately he has 59kg, no apprentice allowance and will come out of gate 16. That's hardly ideal for a horse that's had just three starts. But, you can't leave him out, he's pretty good and the decent track is going to suit him.

Rock Band (No3) didn't get the best trip from a wide gate at Otaki last start and is far better off from an inside barrier this time. He was a nice second the time before and is a must-have. From there, well, basically panic. Falzano (No11) and Brave Kat (No10) are good roughies, Dragon Beauty (No9) is difficult to ignore and Lieutenant Lincoln (No5) is a potential quick improver.

Leg 6 Te Rapa, R10: The Pike/Donoghue stable is currently on fire, which makes Sacred Star (No6) the top tip, even though going for his third straight win. He's strong late in his race, which he will need to be here and has drawn perfectly. Revelator (No17) is off the ballot and looks a big chance, despite the wide barrier. He was unlucky at Ellerslie last start, simply flying the last 100m to be just beaten.

He's a horse on the improve. Carlotta (No8) is difficult to follow.

She was slow out of the barriers at Pukekohe last start, but the time before looked good finishing second at Ellerslie. Moneytree (No9) has had no luck in his last two and Bronte Lass (No5) was stylish winning at Awapuni.

Good luck.

Getting the Pick6 bank might be important.

One of the better chances to do so is probably Way In (No3) in Race 3 at Te Rapa today. Way In didn't get the best of passages at Pukekohe last start, but still showed a lot of grit to push to the line powerfully, just being beaten by talented Jackofall. At No7 she is drawn a few gates further out than you'd like, but rates. The rider this time is Josh Adams who is making a big impression since arriving from Sydney.

You just had to like the way Liberare (No5, R1) got to the line to win at Pukekohe. She looks a mare on the way through and although this is a bit tougher she is worth support.

Procurement (No14, R4) could not have been more stylish winning on debut on this track. She has drawn the rails and although it's difficult to win your first two races these days, she will give it a great shot.

Bellazeel (No15, R7) might be at $20, but with 53kg she is a real upset chance in the Gold Cup. She was good late when winning at Ellerslie last start and the 2400m is perfect.

More than Sacred (No11), Annie Higgins (No2), Atacama (No15) and possibly Boninsky (No4) for the multiples.