Racing: Track may suit Miss Maren

Miss Maren has the necessary class to win at Matamata tomorrow. Photo / Supplied

You are going to know whether to fancy big-winning Miss Maren in tomorrow's $45,000 Wealleans Matamata Cup by the track rating.

The extent of the predicted rain tonight will decide that.

If the track comes up reasonable, local trainer Ken Kelso expects a quick turnaround on the form Miss Maren has shown in two New Zealand starts since arriving from Australia.

Kelso, along with any number of local and visiting trainers, will be disappointed if conditions deteriorate.

"The fine weather has brought the track here at Matamata back beautifully," said Kelso yesterday.

"I've just watched a horse gallop on the course proper and it hardly marked the surface.

"If they raced here today the track would be perfect."

Lately, Miss Maren's trackwork has improved parallel to the conditions.

"She'll be competitive this time if we don't get too much rain.

"There is still improvement in her, but I'm much happier with her than I was.

"Conditions around a good 3, dead 4 or dead 5 would be ideal for her."

At her best, Miss Maren is a match for tomorrow's field.

Last spring, she finished second to Scenic Shot in the A$750,000 Mackinnon Stakes on Derby Day at Flemington at her next start after her close third to Vosne Romanee and Ginga Dude in the Kelt Capital Stakes.

The only slight concern Kelso has, even if conditions suit, is Miss Maren's temperamental approach to the starting gates, something that surfaced in the Mudgway Stakes at her first start back in New Zealand.

That was in the open-topped Hastings gate after which Miss Maren was fine with the overhead stalls at Ellerslie.

"This time she has to go back to the open gates here at Matamata."

One who won't mind if it rains is another locally trained runner, Atom Cat.

He had been in sparkling form until last start when he finished sixth of eight runners behind Matost and Sand Hawk on a very heavy track that it was thought would suit.

"I don't know what to make of that run," says trainer Graham Richardson.

"On the surface, he was very disappointing because he went up to win in the home straight and couldn't round it off.

"I've changed his routine around a bit and I'm happy with him going into this race."

Richardson says he wouldn't rule Atom Cat out of contention if the track stayed in reasonable shape.

"I know slow is his go, but this time last year he beat Spare A Fortune over 1400m at Te Awamutu and ran 1:22.3."

Richardson would love to win his local cup. "It's nine years since I won it with Platonic. It was a good field that day, Ethereal finished third."

Matost, with three wins from his last four races, rates as the north's most improved horse.

He made the transition to open company impressively last start and looks a dangerous lightweight.

The race has drawn an even field with Elblitzem, Taking The Mickey, Headsup, Dashing Donna and Salvatore all winning chances.