KEY POINTS:
Lord Turffontein may have a nasty barrier draw, but he's the best backed runner for tomorrow's Telegraph Handicap.
TAB bookmaker Thad Taylor said last night Lord Turffontein was currently a $6.50 favourite for the 1200m sprint and was being solidly supported on both sides of the Tasman.
"We've had a $2000 bet on Lord Turffontein, $1000 on Il Quello Veloce (currently $10), $500 on Jacowils at $31 and $500 on Pinsoir at $11," Taylor said.
"We are not seeing any large Australian money yet, but it will definitely come. With an Australian horse in a New Zealand race, there will be good support for Lord Turffontein, because they know him and he will probably start even shorter than $6.50."
Taylor reckoned the 19 barrier draw was "not a disaster but hardly ideal" for Lord Turffontein. "He was always going to get back and we think he will be hard to beat by all accounts. We expect to see him charging home."
Trainer Anthony Cummings said he would leave tactics up to jockey Glen Boss.
"The draw is not great in such a big race," he told racenet website.
"The tactics will be left up to Glen. There's not much to tell him really, it's either forward or back.
"I just know the horse is in good shape. He trialled well at Cranbourne last week and travelled over to New Zealand well."
Taylor said the main shortener after Wednesday's barrier draw was the 3-year-old Fully Fledged, coming in from $9 at the close of the futures market to open at $7 on the final field book.
"We have led on the back of the draw with Fully Fledged and he has been reasonably well supported," he said. "Lord Turffontein, Il Quello Veloce and Pinsoir are the most solidly supported at this stage."
However, betting activity was slow as punters took their time to assess a race with many chances.
Mufhasa was the $7.50 third favourite last night.
- NZPA
