KEY POINTS:
Trainer Peter McKay is not too concerned that the weight-for-age scale has suddenly shot 3-year-old Alamosa up to 55kg against the likes of Sir Slick in today's $200,000 First Sovereign Trust Otaki WFA.
The weight-for-age scale was altered upwards for late summer and autumn 3-year-olds when it was deemed that the very best of that age were simply too good at the weights for the older horses.
Outstanding gallopers like Bonecrusher and McGinty were virtually unbeatable at weight-for-age in the autumn of their 3-year-old year, which caused the change.
Alamosa won the handicap-based Thorndon Mile carrying 52.kg and this time there is a 4.5kg swing in favour of Sir Slick compared to the Thorndon Mile weights.
Sir Slick carried 60.5kg that day and has 59kg under this scale.
Four and a half lengths separated the pair at Trentham, but that had much to do with the way the track raced after being overwatered, making it virtually impossible for leaders like Sir Slick.
That scenario sets up a fascinating clash today when you throw Fiscal Madness, Dorabella, Final Reality and Dezigna into the mix.
Peter McKay is unconcerned about the Alamosa's weight.
"If it were a handicap he'd be carrying around that weight with the record he's put together, so it'll be a fair contest." McKay is even going into this race a little happier than he was before the Thorndon. "We brought him back to Matamata between the two days at Trentham and I worried that he might have been a bit flat with the trip back to Wellington for the Thorndon. He wasn't and it's something I don't have to think about this time."
McKay doesn't necessarily see Sir Slick as Alamosa's biggest danger. "I think Fiscal Madness will be tough to beat. He carried a big weight (59kg) to win the Anniversary Handicap at Trentham then he finished only fourth in the Whakanui at Te Rapa.
"But I don't think he's at his best at 2000m. I think the 1600m of this race suits him better.
"Dorabella is a class mare. She has to carry only 1.5kg more than Alamosa so if she's in her best form she's going to be difficult to beat."
McKay says he won't be giving new rider Michael Walker too many instructions.
"I'd expect Alamosa to be in the first four in running - you don't want to let Sir Slick get too big a break on you - and I'll leave it up to Michael when he makes his run into it." Finishing second to Mission Critical in the group one Whakanui Stud International is not bad form, but you got the feeling there was improvement in Sir Slick from Te Rapa.
The tactics this time will be interesting, but you'd like to be betting Bruce Herd will set up an electric pace on the natural leader.
Co-trainer Howie Mathews was delighted with the quiet trial workout Dorabella had at Foxton on Tuesday.
"She hasn't had a run since the Ellerslie carnival, but I'm happy where she's at. "The trial was just nice and it's topped her off beautifully for this," he said.
Fiscal Madness raced too fiercely for his own good over the 2000m at Te Rapa and wilted late.
He will be ideally suited to the pace Sir Slick will set here and was placed at his only run on this track.
He has been in rare form and should be right in this trifecta.
CHASING DOUBLE
* Alamosa is in good shape to try and add this group one race to his Thorndon Mile victory.
* He jumps up to 55kg under the weight-for-age scale, but trainer Peter McKay feels it is a competitive weight.
* Sir Slick should be better suited here than in either of his last two starts.
