So 54kg is just about right for the 5yr-old in the $25,000 Queenstown Cup at Cromwell tomorrow.
The Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong-trained mare earned her way into one of two features on tomorrow's nine-race card courtesy of a win in rating 75 company at Riccarton on November 11.
Her regular, Doni Prastiyou, will team up with the daughter of Sir Percy again tomorrow, and feels sneaking in near the bottom of the weights will work in Merci Cherie's favour.
''She's not a very big horse, but she's got a brave heart,'' Prastiyou said.
''She can't carry top weight so 54 or 55kg is ideal and the best weight for her.''
Prastiyou has been aboard Merci Cherie for 14 of her 20 race starts, including the last 10, and the pair clearly get on with each other.
''She's given me five winners - she tries hard and if she's good enough, she'll be there,'' he said.
''Hopefully, they'll run along and I'll just sit behind and come home good.''
The Kevin Hickman-owned mare is at her best when she gets to a mile (1600m) or further, winning twice at a mile and twice over 2000m - close enough to tomorrow's distance of 2030m.
''She actually loves it - the further she goes, the better she gets, and she's strong to the line,'' he said.
''She's the sort of horse that loves chasing the leader and chasing the speed.''
No Emotion was in fine form during the New Zealand Cup carnival, running second placings to Sanasar and Vive La Difference, and My Chino looks the other serious danger despite carrying 59kg.
Prastiyou also has a ride in the other feature, the $25,000 Wanaka Cup.
He will take the ride aboard Magic Epic in the 1400m feature and expects the Jo-Anne Dalton-trained 8yr-old to settle much better than he did when running fifth to Hayley Maree at Wingatui on November 3.
''The last start, Jo-Anne put some new gear on and he was not comfortable with the new gear on,'' Prastiyou explained.
''He charged forward just pulling hard and I just had to let him roll a bit forward and do a bit in front, and he ran home good, actually.
''This time, he has a better draw and hopefully he'll put himself in a nice possie with cover and sprint home.''
Magic Epics leaves from barrier 7 and Prastiyou will not rush the Pins gelding to a spot.
''It's a long back straight, so I will take my time and slot in somewhere just behind the speed.''
Prastiyou's one other ride is Bobby Al in race 1.
His form is hard to knock, but Prastiyou might be forced to ease back from the wide barrier draw of 14, although scratchings might bring him in to barrier 10.
Tips
From the talent
Jake Lowry: Tommy Tucker (Race 5, No 4)
Darryl Bradley: No Emotion (Race 7, No 5)
Courtney Barnes: Querer (Race 9, No 7)
Toni Direen: Itemize (Race 4, No 7)
Kelvin Tyler: Fantamo (Race 6, No 9)
