The bookies are pretty much ruling out their chances, but the Otago representatives in tomorrow's New Zealand Cup will gratefully receive any rain at Riccarton.
The Joanne Hillis-trained Wild Bill and the Nikki and Barrie Blatch-prepared Sureasyouwereborn were at $51 and $61 respectively with the TAB bookmakers yesterday - seemingly paying the price for their last-start runs.
Sureasyouwereborn was a conspicuous last in the listed Metropolitan at Riccarton last Saturday, but co-trainer Nikki Blatch said there were no concerns with the mare heading into tomorrow's $225,000 feature.
''Whether it was the float trip the day before and the firm track, I'm just not sure. She's worked fine since and she seems OK, so we'll box on,'' Blatch said.
''We'll put it down to a bad hair day and hope that it was one of those things, because we can't find anything wrong with her.''
Sureasyouwereborn's fourth in the Spring Classic had plenty of merit and Blatch said the draw of 14 - which should become 10 after the emergencies come out - should suit the mare's racing pattern.
Samantha Wynne is in the saddle.
''If we could get a bit of cover this time - I don't think running out in front is her go,'' Blatch said.
The clouds which hung around Riccarton on Coupland's Mile day eventually opened on Wednesday night, bringing 8mm of rain to Riccarton.
Another 4mm of irrigation was applied to bring the track back to a dead5, and showers are forecast for today.
Joanne Hillis arrived at Riccarton yesterday morning to be greeted by light rain, although she would happily take more.
''We'd like a wee bit more dampness, but I don't think that's going to make too much difference . . . with the wind they've had as well,'' Hillis said.
Nothing panned out for Wild Bill in the Spring Classic, although Hillis said a difficult float journey from Wingatui did not help his cause that day.
''He didn't have the best of trips on the way up,'' she said.
''He travelled with Agnus Brown and she threw her toys out of the cot so it wasn't the best of trips, really.''
The son of Viking Ruler ended up right on the speed, fading late to finish seventh.
''He might have gone a wee bit hard, and he's probably better with a bit more cover, maybe.''
The job to find cover will be left up to leading North Island jockey Matthew Cameron, who Hillis approached some weeks ago.
He confirmed the engagement in the last few days.
Wild Bill has prepared for the 3200m journey with some varied training routines since the Riccarton run on October 24.
"He's done a bit of beach work and a fair bit of work at the track, so hopefully the mileage is in there,'' she said.
As for whether Wild Bill will handle the distance, Hillis will know more after tomorrow.
''I had a wee yarn to Brian Anderton. He said you have just got to go with what happens. Either they're capable of it or they're not capable of it and you don't know until you try, really.''
The best chance of an Otago victory of sorts could be with Blood Brotha.
The 10yr-old - bred by Brian, Lorraine, Hec and Pat Anderton - was great running second in the Metropolitan and carries only 54kg tomorrow in his quest for a third New Zealand Cup.
