Racing: Best rider on top baby should be win formula

Despite Thursday's rain, the A$3 million Golden Slipper track at Rosehill is still in good condition.

Track manager Lindsay Murphy did a track reading yesterday and found the footing perfect.

"Lindsay said if the race had been run at midday it would have been on a good surface," Sydney Turf Club manager John Nicholson said.

Nicholson said passing showers were forecast to decrease, indicating the likelihood of a firmish surface this afternoon for the world's richest 2-year-old race.

All of which probably counts slightly against Slipper favourite Snitzel.

When Thursday's rain arrived, leading bookmakers were counting on Snitzel's tough No 12 barrier draw actually helping him rather than looking likely to beat him.

Even if the colt's barrier draw goes back to being a disadvantage, he is worth taking the risk on. He is clearly the best juvenile racing in Australia and Glen Boss is the best jockey.

That's a potent mix and to add to it, in trainer Gerald Ryan you have, one-on-one with an individual horse, as good as any in Australia.

The New Zealand TAB yesterday had Snitzel at $3.50.

If that stands today, it's worth the risk that Boss can find the right path for Snitzel in a race that often resembles a stock car event. Put A$3 million on the line and jockeys are inclined not to indicate when turning left or right. Outside of him there is little to separate the next four - luck in running will do that.

It might sound optimistic, but if you've had your hard-earned on Cheval De Troy in Sydney in recent weeks and you haven't committed suicide, you could do worse than have a few dollars as a saver on the colt at $11 in the A$2 million BMW.

Yeah, sure, Makybe Diva and Grand Armee are arguably Australia's best at the moment, but they have to overcome a couple of factors. There is a slight suggestion Makybe Diva is not quite as good in Sydney as she unquestionably is in Melbourne even though she won last year's Sydney Cup. She also hasn't had to back up in a week before.

And you have to wonder about Grand Armee at 2400m. Certainly Australia's punters are not concerned - they have him at worse than $2. If he gets his own way in front he might be value at that price, but I'd be more inclined to have a little each-way on Cheval De Troy, who will run better than you might think.

If someone told you a pacer and a maiden 3-year-old with the unlikely name of Haddle McDaddle were the best bets at an Ellerslie meeting, you'd call the police.

That's the situation. Haddle McDaddle (No5, R7) has been patiently handled. He was hot favourite when narrowly beaten at Te Rapa on February 5 and it took a smart effort by Surreal to topple him. He had been given plenty of time to recover from that and his recent trackwork has been splendid. It's only a matter of time before he wins one and it should be today. Wine Oh (No14) was unlucky last start.

Classic Flyer (No12, R5) is all the go in the novel pacers' race, coinciding with the Interdoms. His three recent defeats were on all-weather surfaces and before that he strung together some impressive form on the grass. He is a great stayer and the fact that he has to come from the second row behind the mobile should not be a problem on a track this size. Monarch Of The Glen (No11) and Lord McEnroe (No5) for the trifecta.

Sandboy (No6, R2) could be value. He has not raced since the spring, but is the type who might throw one in while fresh. In a tricky race you must have Darcy Bee (No6) in multiples and Star Day (No7) and Rushanwin (No1) could be at good odds.

The Robert Priscott stable holds a strong hand in Race 4 with Zaria (No4) and Anden (No2) engaged. There was a bit to like about Zaria's run behind Tusker at Ellerslie last start and she might be the each-way.

Waikeepadacash (No5, R8) is probably best when there is fire out of the footing and hopefully he might get that today. If he does, he's up to beating this field.

Tadan (No6, R9) is due another win. He didn't get a lot of luck when close up fourth behind Penitentiary on this track last start and that form is good enough to get over the top of this field.

Better Boy (No8, R11) got left wide and out in the open here two weeks ago and took advantage of the open spaces to charge around to the front. Given the circumstances he did well to fight on and be only 2 1/2 lengths behind Kerry O'Reilly in a much stronger field than this. He needs only a little luck to be tough to beat.