The stars are out on Saturday for the first New Zealand Group 1 of the new season at Hastings and the weather will have a major influence on the result.

The Makfi Challenge Stakes has attracted all the heavy-hitting weight-for-age gallopers from across the country, but the prospect of challenging track conditions threatens to dull the brilliance of many.

One trainer who is unlikely to be as inconvenienced as most is local horseman John Bary, who will be
represented by (NZ) gallopers No Excuse Maggie (No Excuse Needed) and Survived (Zed).

“Realistically, if we get no rain from now until Saturday then the track can get back to a Slow 9, but if there’s a shower it will be straight back to a Heavy 10,” Bary said . “The forecast isn’t great and it’s a shame, but that’s the spring weather.”

He concedes that No Excuse Maggie, good as she has been, isn’t a genuine Group 1 horse but the going gives her an ideal opportunity to add further value to her future broodmare prospects.

“She’s proven on it and is match fit and that will be the theme of the day – anything that’s fit will go well right across the board,” Bary said.  “She’s freshened up nicely and I’ve said before she’s a Listed or Group 3 mare, but with her rating she’s in the weight-for-age bracket.

“David Walsh came over to ride her on Tuesday and he was happy so she’s half a chance.”

Survived hasn’t raced since his Queensland campaign and Bary is thrilled with his condition leading into Saturday’s big test.  “He’s gone on dead tracks and is a young horse who is naturally fit,” he said.  “I’m confident I’ve got enough work into him and it’s just whether he can make up ground with his big finish on a heavy track.

“I’ve been lucky to train a couple of Group 1 winners and he’s up there – he might not be as good mentally yet, but I can’t fault him at this stage and his last two gallops were Group 1 work.”