Waikato trainer Stephen Autridge is just hoping the forecast showers don't eventuate at Trentham today as he prepares his Singalong for the $245,000 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) for three-year-old fillies.
The Danasinga chestnut filly has long been regarded an oaks type and has done little in the past couple of months to sway Autridge and rider Noel Harris away from that opinion.
The one factor that has counted against Singalong has been wet tracks.
Since running second to Elevenses in the group one $130,000 One Thousand Guineas (1600m) for three-year-old fillies at Riccarton on November 11, Singalong has not struck a firm track in three starts.
She has, however, still performed creditably. She was fourth in the Two Thousand Guineas, sixth in the Eight Carat Classic and fifth in the Royal Stakes.
Autridge said Singalong was a different horse on firm ground.
"She can come from 10 lengths off them when the ground is firm but she struggles to make up three or four lengths when the ground is wet," Autridge said.
"I'm just keeping my fingers crossed the track stays firm. She's got a lot of pluses in her favour.
"She's been crying out for more ground, she goes better left-handed and she has won at Trentham."
Autridge said Singalong had come through her recent racing well.
The Trentham track should be perfect if the forecast showers stay away. The penetrometer reading yesterday afternoon was 2.2 (firm) and track manager Lyn Biddle said the track would be able to stand a few showers without making a lot of difference.
Autridge rates One Thousand Guineas winner Elevenses as the horse to beat.
"A couple of her runs have been as good if not a little better than ours and she should get the trip," he said.
He believes race favourite La Bella Dama could be suspect at 2400 metres but if the rain comes to take the sting out of the ground, it would help her.
Singalong will again be ridden by Noel Harris, who is enjoying a wonderful trot of late.
After landing the New Zealand Derby and Railway Handicaps at the Auckland carnival, he recorded a notable double aboard Kaapeon and Cheiron at Awapuni last Saturday.
Harris labelled Singalong as his oaks ride back in the spring and is more than happy to stick with her.
"She hasn't got a lot of brilliance but the further she goes the better," Harris said.
The evenness of today's field can be judged by the TAB's fixed odds market which had six horses in single figures last night.
La Bella Dama remained favourite at $5.50 ahead of Elevenses and Ma Victoire at $6.50. All In Grace was at $7 with Singalong $8 and Gordon's $9. The biggest bet yesterday was $1000 on Elevenses at $7.
- NZPA
Racing: Autridge will sing a sad song if the rain comes
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