Ashburton-based Shane Humby has one of the better winning strike-rates in the country but he is a trainer who does not race his horses just for the sake of it. So, when they do step out there is always a plan and you generally get a solid run for your money.

Humby sends out Tribal Fusion in the Fever Tree Stakes (Non-Black Type) at Scottsville today and the six-year-old is not likely to blemish his record of earning a stakes cheque in all but three of his 15 races.

His build-up to this event has been solid and he steps out over what is arguably his best distance. Mr Roy, also in today’s race, got away from him last time out and although closing fast, Tribal Fusion came up just short. Anton Marcus has stayed with the ride and Mr Roy is not likely to get away with those tactics this time around.

Top weight Sniper Shot has been scratched so that leaves the filly Fiorella and Hard To Play as the most likely dangers. A winner of the KZN Fillies Guineas beating Snow Dance and running Met winner Oh Suzanna to a neck in the Woolavington 2000, there is no doubting Fiorella’s ability.

But she has been winless since and her trip to Kenilworth for the Majorca Stakes ended in tears as she faded tamely to finish with just one behind her.

Duncan Howells was left puzzled, as all three of his runners on the day performed way below expectations. “I don’t know what went wrong,” he said yesterday. “I have gone through every possibility and cannot put my finger on it. Thanksgiving pulled a muscle in his race but other than that, I have no idea!”

Fiorella is by far the best rated runner in the line-up and is unbeaten in two starts over course and distance so if she can find her best, Tribal Fusion will need to pick up his feet.

Hard To Play has won five out of 14 starts and Wendy Whitehead’s gelding warmed up nicely for this race with a close-up third to Di Mazzio and the now scratched Sniper Shot, with Tribal Fusion a length back in sixth. Tribal Fusion has had a run since and Hard To Play has his third run after a break.

This looks to be a three-way contest but Tribal Fusion gets the nod ahead of Hard To Play with Fiorella a big runner if she finds her best form.

Pick 6 punters have taken a hit over the past two meetings, the 40-1 chance Silver Cent landing a knock-out bow for most in the last race on Sunday, but things could swing in their favour this afternoon.

In the opening leg, Robbie and Shannon Hill have declared blinkers on the consistent Canadian Bolt who was scratched earlier in the week with this race in prospect but they could be up against it again in Ruby Spirit. The Howells runner was narrowly beaten on debut by the consistent Hondo and although drawn on the wide outside of the Scottsville track, considered by many as a death trap but never proven, he could prove a touch too classy and consign Canadian Bolt to a third consecutive runner-up berth.

Dennis Bosch’s runner Chantyman is a smart five-furlong specialist in spite of his breathing problems and is looking for three on the bounce against old rival Ishnana who also has some smart form over course and distance. Marcus has deserted Chantyman in favour of Garth Pullers runner and with blinkers back on he will be competitive again. With only seven runners in the line-up, it is likely to be a seriously tactical affair.

Marcus will be driving Farm Yard Tractor in the fifth and will be hoping that the gelding is a little quicker than its namesake. If not, then the list of possible winners is a lengthy one with all of Keelan Dynasty, Dancing Moonlight, Roy’s Flash and Stolen Paradise in the mix.

By Andrew Harrison