They are making their debuts on the same day and possess their share of talent but there the comparisons between Franco Noah and Chitura stop.
Chitura brings sizzling recent trial form into race 4, while Franco Noah comes into the meeting without having stepped outside McRae’s property for more than a year.
Injury issues had stymied the career of the talented 3yr-old, McRae said.
"I thought he was a pretty good 2yr-old and he qualified pretty quick and then developed problems with a leg and took a long time to get over it.
"I don’t know is he will be what he was but he is pretty good at them moment so we are going to roll the dice and go to Winton fresh up.
"It is a bit of a tough ask with no runs off the place, but he has got good natural ability."
Franco Noah takes on a largely inexperienced field in his attempt to finally start his career. His main dangers looks to be the consistent Kiwis Are Flying and Convair Hustler, who will be having his second start.
The second of McRae’s first starters, Chitura, has had three trial and workout runs as preparation. In the most recent, the 3yr-old filly produced a sizzling 55.5sec last 800m and 27.0sec last 400m to win by three lengths.
"She is a nice filly," McRae said.
"It is a bit of learning curve, but barring bad luck she should be pretty hard to beat. There is a slight question mark over the draw. First-up after qualifying she might be a bit vulnerable early on."
McRae was to have lined up the speedy Nemera Franco in race 7. However, the horse has been plagued by hoof issues.
The scratching could leave the race open for Nemera Franco’s former stablemate, Tara Tutaia.
McRae trained the horse for all of her 15 career starts, before she recently moved to Allan Beck’s Winton stable.
Things did not go to plan in her first run for Beck at the Invercargill workouts when she broke gear.
Should Tara Tutaia be able to bounce back and produce her best she would be one of the leading chances. With the scratching of Nemera Franco, driver Craig Thornley is able to stick with Tara Tutaia.
Beck will steer his other stable runner, Bettor Enforce. She ran sixth in her last start against the impressive Lawrence when having to sit parked for the whole race.
Beck has the consistent Shelby Bromac who will race a classy bunch in race 9.
The line-up includes the ultra-impressive debut winner Mr Kiwi, tough type Vin Scully and the highly regarded Duke Of Wellington.
Despite meeting such good company, Shelby Bromac’s consistency makes him a realistic each-way chance.
Beck will also line up Kath’s Finale in race 4 and Shorty’s Mate in race 8.
