KEY POINTS:
Pindy ticks all the form boxes for today's $40,000 Waikato Draught 1400m at Te Rapa.
The transferred Ellerslie race has drawn an outstanding field of horses looking to springboard their spring hopes.
You wouldn't normally expect to see horses like Nom Du Jeu, Gaze, Magic Cape - all genuine group one performers - in a race like this.
But Pindy can hold his own in such elite company.
He's always been underrated, despite winning seven of his 15 starts. He is a previous winner at Te Rapa, has won for times at today's 1400m distance and has previously won when fresh from a break.
For added insurance, Pindy won a recent barrier trial at Te Awamutu.
If you needed even more, he races best on the pace and the improved Te Rapa track - with its rail back in the true position for today's ARC meeting - should suit on-speed runners.
The No 9 barrier is a little awkward, but Pindy tends to relax wherever he is and if he was forced to race outside the leaders he shouldn't be greatly disadvantaged.
Nom Du Jeu hasn't raced since winning the AJC Derby and backing up a week later to finish a close second to Sarrera at weight-for-age.
He raced fresh to win a recent barrier trial at Te Teko, but co-trainer Murray Baker says he wouldn't be surprised if the horse has lost enough of his freshness as a result of that barrier trial to take him out of winning contention.
"He's a stayer that's heading to the Kelt. And even the 1600m of the Stoney Bridge Stakes next time will be a stepping stone to that.
"I'll be happy if he's just running on nicely behind the placegetters."
Paul Moroney echoes those thoughts about Shariat's On Fire, another stayer resuming from a winter break.
"He's raced well and won when fresh before, but never against this class of horse.
"He's been given a long, slow build-up with two quiet trials and he's on an upward curve.
"He's no chance to make the Kelt field now and we'll aim him at races like the Counties and Avondale Cups.
"We just want to see him finding the line late."
Magic Cape's trainer Shaune Ritchie described today's race as a 'mini-Stoney Bridge'.
"He's coming along nicely and ricking a joint last week hasn't greatly affected his preparation. He should be further improved by this race."
The smart Ginga Dude will have his first race since being prepared by one of his owners, Graeme Boyd.
Ginga Dude looked on the way back with a nice third to Gaze at the recent Te Teko barrier trials and should have improved considerably.
To further complicate the form, Antipodean has not raced since April and has a freakish record when fresh. He might well lead Pindy and could make matters interesting.
And Gaze definitely has the class to win. Don't miss this race.
