Trainer Terry Kennedy and rider Chris Johnson are a combination to follow at today's Melbourne Cup day meeting at Wingatui.
Kennedy will leg the rider known as the Magic Man aboard seven of the 13 runners that will step out on their home track.
Johnson may have to start his day by taking a back seat with Ray's In Command, who is rated behind Sadler's Lass in early betting.
Sadler's Lass and rider Jacob Lowry will be looking for more luck than in her last start where they ran into a traffic jam.
"She should go well. She just had no luck in her last start at Oamaru,'' Kennedy said.
He is far from writing off the chances of Ray's In Command's, who finished seventh in his last start at Gore.
"He didn't even have a run really. Hopefully he gets a bit more luck [today].
I have put blinkers on him and that should be a big help.''
The Wingatui track was yesterday rated a slow7 in going. That is good news for Bakela (Johnson), who has had to slog through heavy going in his past four starts.
"He sprints better on a better track. He went a good race last time he was on a slow track when he ran second at the Grand National meeting. I am picking the track will really suit him,'' the trainer said.
The Kennedy-Johnson combination start Kerany in rating 72 company over 1200m in race 3.
The 4yr-old has not had a trial or jumpout prior to her return to racing, which could leave her vulnerable to race-hardened opponents.
In race 4, Johnson must jump Always On Call from barrier 10, a tricky spot in 1200m races at Wingatui.
However, Kennedy has few concerns.
"The draw is not an issue because she likes being out in the open and attacking. It looks like a good race for her and I think she will go well.''
Kennedy will start both Ginny and Havana Heights in race 5, for maiden horses over 1400m.
Johnson will ride the outsider of the stable's two chances with Ginny rated behind Havana Heights in early betting.
Courtney Barnes will ride Havana Heights, who impressed in a recent jumpout win at Wingatui.
"She is going really well and I expect her to go a big race. She went really nice in a jumpout here and she ran a pretty good time, as well.''
Ginny's form has been patchy but it may not reflect her true ability.
"She hasn't had much luck in her two starts and she is not the worst horse going around at all,'' Kennedy said.
He has three horses in race 6, 1400m maiden race.
The stable has not had much luck with barriers, with Kentucky Cougar (15) and Reliable Belle (13) drawing outside Neruda (8).
Kentucky Cougar was "a little bit disappointing in her last start at Gore, but I think it was the [heavier] track.''
Kentucky Cougar and Reliable Belle, who has her first start for Kennedy after racing in the North Island, would go have similar prospects, the trainer said.
"I don't think there would be a lot between them. Reliable Belle has gone some good races up north, but she will be better over a bit more ground, to be fair.''
Juliette is likely to be Kennedy's only starter in race 7, as Marquita Miss has battled a hoof problem this week.
The 5yr-old is another of Kennedy's team that could run better than her recent form suggests.
"She is going really well and I think we will be very competitive.''
The Kennedy and Johnson combination complete their day in race 9 with last-start winner Secret Sound.
"She has got ability and she tries had and she hasn't done anything wrong yet. That is all you can ask.''
