The combination of Mark Jones and Samantha Ottley has been one to follow in the south this season and they look to have the closest there is to an anchor in the pick six at Wyndham on Sunday, with Whittaker in the last.
After sitting parked, Whittaker was dominant at Invercargill in the C0 grade. The step to C1 is unlikely to worry him and the three draw should only make it easier.
A junior drivers race kicks off the six and it is hard to go past Don Domingo from the two gate. He was cut down by Raukapuka Ruler taking the passing lane to make it three in a row last week at Addington but should be harder to get past here.
Don Sebastion, Bettor Enforce and Glenburn Joy are others worthy of inclusion.
Race seven is the second leg and looks a bit harder but despite being unproven from a stand, Rakarover has got to go in. He has drawn three, ironically, his first front-row draw this year, and first time inside six in his career, but looks well equipped to cope.
Equally as unknown from a stand is Southbound Train who looked okay when third on debut at Wyndham, although four and a half lengths behind Rakarover. Vera Mac, Navajo Art and A Smart Excuse were second third and fourth from a stand at Invercargill last week while former local Jimmy Nga is well versed from behind the tapes. Power Surge is a risk on debut but has stand-start workout form from Canterbury last year.
Shezza GNP was beaten last week in her first run for the season. From one off the gate again, this time second up, she looks the one to beat in the third leg with Aidan Junior the hardest.
Race nine is shaping up like a battle between Kayteeoh Denario and RR Sand Dollar with Dexter up against Blair. The one draw in the Equine Stakes didn't work out for Kayteeoh Denario who was crossed and shuffled. With a wall in front of her turning in, she waited then flew for third. Expect Dexter to make the draw work better for him.
RR Sand Dollar sprinted hard from the 800 last week and just went down. Other Canterbury runners worthy of inclusion are Dancing In The Dark, Layton's Lass and Aymar.
Seaswift Joy can do no wrong and looks the best in race 10 on her adopted home track. However, it is her first from a stand so for insurance look to Rakarolla from 10 metres, along with and Statham and Highview Freddy off 20.
Mac Henry