By MIKE DILLON
Sunline will definitely run in Saturday's $100,000 Waikato Draught Sprint at Te Rapa.
Trainer Trevor McKee said yesterday he had already contacted Greg Childs in Melbourne to engage him for the group one sprint.
"I just want to see how she gallops at Takanini on Tuesday morning, but at this stage she is 99 per cent certain to start," said McKee.
The Sunline camp has been worried the champion mare has done too well since returning to serious work following her dashing winning performance in the $HK10 million Hong Kong Mile.
"We can't leave her too long without doing anything," said McKee.
"She gets cranky and she gets too fat."
Sunline has had two 600m gallops and a strong 1000m hitout on Saturday morning.
That gallop convinced the McKees to be serious about Te Rapa.
"She ran the fastest 1000m of the morning under double wraps," said co-trainer Stephen McKee.
"It was terrific work."
Trevor McKee leaves for Dubai on Sunday to inspect facilities and the track before finalising a trip for either the $US6 million Dubai World Cup or the $US2 million Dubai Duty Free, a 1777m race on turf.
He will be accompanied by part owner Thayne Green.
At Te Rapa on Saturday the Sunline camp was presented with a Trade New Zealand Export Commendation.
"This is a rare award," said racing Racing Minister Annette King.
"It's usually reserved for top commercial companies who have done outstanding things in export.
"The $10 million in foreign exchange she has won in three years of racing is huge and has helped to generate millions more in interest in our bloodstock."
Sunline's appearance guarantees the club another huge attraction. Also down for the Waikato Draught Sprint are Showella, McDonogh Stakes winner Fritz, Spring Rain and Kaapstad Way.
Racing: Winning combination back in action in Waikato feature
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