By MIKE DILLON
The Sunline camp is not taking tomorrow's $100,000 Waikato Draught Sprint cheaply.
"These are the sorts of races you can get rolled in," said co-trainer Stephen McKee with a word of warning yesterday.
"When it's not your main mission and you can't afford to have them 100 per cent fit you're always vulnerable," he said.
Sunline is a freak, not only in her ability, but in her clean-windedness.
"Basically one gallop and she's ready to go," said McKee.
That ability has been an enormous factor in Sunline's phenomenal record.
McKee said Sunline has had one or two hit-outs fewer in training than when she won the Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at the Counties meeting in Pukekohe after being freshened following her Cox Plate win.
"Having said that, I feel she looks better than when she won the Counties race."
That is a terrifying thought for tomorrow's high class opposition.
Sunline's almost exclusive fast work venue in summer is the plough, the only exceptions were one gallop on the grass at Sha Tin before winning December's Hong Kong Mile and one in August before victory in the Manikato Stakes in Sydney.
The champion mare was sent along quietly on the grass at Takanini yesterday and McKee says the camp was delighted.
"She feels like she really wants to do something.
"I'd say when she gets into the gates with her mates on Saturday, she'll be pretty fired up.
"She's busting to go."
The Sunline camp has the luxury of knowing that if the going gets a bit tough through comparative lack of seasoning compared to the opposition, Sunline's sheer determination, bordering on fanatical, will kick in.
"Horses like her, even if they're not properly fit, try that bit harder and get themselves there.
"Champions always do a bit more."
McKee says the camp is not worried whether Sunline leads.
"She was a fraction slow to jump away at Counties and was happy sitting outside them. We wouldn't be disappointed if the same thing happens again.
"If she sat outside the leader, anything challenging would have to come three wide.
"Spring Rain and Life Of Riley will probably go hard early, so we'll just wait and see what happens."
McKee says he rates the swoopers from the back of the field the dangers.
"Horses like Fritz and Surface and even stayers like Kaapstad Way and Showella are capable of swamping you late in a race like this."
Racing: Watch out, star's busting to go
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