By Mike Dillon
Chris Munce had no doubt Tall Poppy is a $A1 million Doncaster Handicap chance after the mare's destruction job at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Anyone who saw Tall Poppy race away with the Racehorse Owners Trophy wants to get on if the odds are right for the Docaster.
Munce threw in a couple of conditions.
"She would probably need to draw a good barrier to give herself a chance and she would probably need to come back to her rider a bit because at the moment she is a very free goer.
"But she's had only the 11 races and she can't help but get better."
Owners Rex and Gerald Fell paid "six figures" to secure Tall Poppy's dam, former outstanding racemare Fun On The Run, from the estate of the late Peter Kelly.
Fun On The Run lacked size and while Tall Poppy is not big, she's big enough, hence the name.
"She's right up there as a potential group one winner," said Munce.
Tristachine's defeat
A couple of factors perhaps combined to bring about the greatest shock of the carnival - Tristachine's defeat in the Eclipse Stakes.
The unbeaten hotshot made a tardy beginning, was last and being niggled at by Opie Bosson coming to the home turn before running on for a close third.
Paul O'Sullivan felt that the Sir Tristram factor is now starting to kick in.
"Even in her work she's looking like she's ready to run more distance.
"Very few Sir Tristram's go through their careers wanting to run sprint distances."
Even allowing for all that Tristachine looked a fraction awkward when really asked to sprint.
Bosson confirmed the filly had not given him the greatest feel.
"She jumped and stumbled and after that she never really got galloping. It was only in the last few strides that she hit her stride."
Five straight for Straight Back
Not many horses can win five straight, particularly when it includes two at the Ellerslie carnival.
It took Straight Back and his hobby trainer Bryan Wadham to achieve it.
A boat builder by trade, Wadham is employed as a carpenter these days and Straight Back is the only horse he currently has in work.
The horse gets his name from the fact he was sold to Australian interests from the Karaka yearling sales a couple of years ago and found to be a windsucker when he arrived at Ballarat.
As a result he was sent - straight back.
Straight Back now heads for the Duoro Cup at Trentham.
Horse Racing: Poppy rated serious Doncaster player
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