By Mike Dillon
One start in a year and 140-9 formline is a punter's nightmare.
But do not dismiss La Sileen because of that in the $15,000 Foley Memorial at Avondale tomorrow.
The high class mare is the rapid improver in the race after just one run in nearly 12 months and in terms of ability she rates lengths better than this field.
She stylishly won the Waikato Cup 15 months ago and started as one of the Auckland Cup favourites, only to be hampered by a twisted racing plate.
That form is enough to win this race.
La Sileen resumed at Matamata two weeks ago and was badly hampered by a racing pattern which worked against back runners.
La Sileen apart, Denholm and Mystery Escape are far and away the best in the field, but there are doubts about both.
Denholm's 12th behind Aerosmith, beaten only three and a quarter lengths, was not the shocking effort some claim.
Despite the fact he has broken the hearts of most punters, Denholm is a smart handicapper and a couple of showers would see him right in this race.
No one can assess the chances of Mystery Escape. It is his first start in 15 months and while he has enormous ability, going into 2000m first up is a huge ask.
He has done plenty of work, though, and has trialled over 1550m at Cambridge so if you like taking risks, this is one worth taking.
Skimmer and O'Toole are chances and Spanking will come right into it if it rains.
Macarena will almost certainly be favourite in the second leg, the FAI 1400, but Ocean Ranch will take beating.
Ocean Ranch sat wide at Te Rapa in his first start back from racing in Australia and did remarkably well to wind up third to Rise Above on a day when it was impossible to come from the back or wide in the field in the first half of the programme. There should be improvement in his form.
Macarena did remarkably well to finish less than one length from Tall Poppy carrying weight-for-age at Tauranga last start and has drawn perfectly at No3.
She is the dramatic improver in her grade and will take a lot of beating.
Horse Racing: La Sileen a class above rivals
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