Racing: Adore Me faces stern task in Taylor

Adore Me driven by Mark Purdon. File photo / Sarah Ivey

She may be a last-start Easter Cup winner but Adore Me could still have to work hard in Friday's $100,000 Taylor Mile after being handed a tricky draw.

The glamour mare will start from barrier six in the 1700m group one which, for the second year, will be open to 5-year-olds as well as its traditional 4-year-olds.

While Adore Me will still start a redhot favourite the race looks anything but a gift as her widish draw is made even more difficult by having two genuine speedsters who race best in front, Fly Like An Eagle and Elios, drawn inside her.

Elios rated 1:55 for 1700m winning a similar race last Friday night and while he is not yet in Adore Me's class he could make her work hard over the sprint trip.

The Taylor headlines a 12-race premier programme which has attracted plenty of South Island interest, especially in the trotting races.

Dominion Hcp winner Master Lavros and multiple national record holder Royal Aspirations strengthen the $30,000 Greenlane Cup, the final lead-up to next week's Rowe Cup.

NZ Trotting Derby winner King Denny, Oaks winner Majestic Time and Harness Jewels hero One Over Da Moon clash in the Sires' Stakes Trot, while leading juvenile pacing filly Democrat Party faces a second line draw in the $120,000 Caduceus Club Classic.

The meeting also sees a $20,000 intermediate trot named in honour of one of racing's great characters, the late John Devlin.