By MIKE DILLON
Ringcraft is what Peter Williams calls it.
It's what was missing from his Avondale Guineas favourite Sir Clive on Saturday and what he hopes will arrive in time for the $350,000 Mercedes Derby at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
In simple terms it's mental maturity and experience.
It cost Sir Clive, and New Zealand punters, dearly.
"He's a big kid, he knows nothing," said experienced rider Grant Cooksley as he jumped off Sir Clive after a huge effort to finish third to Danamite and Deebee Belle.
Williams knew inexperience was the one factor that could beat Sir Clive.
"Racing around the South Island you don't get that hard, tough experience you do in a race like this."
Sir Clive cost himself dearly when he stood in the barriers when the field was released in the $150,000 Bayer Classic last start and Cooksley said the colt was no better this time.
A tardy beginning set the scene for a nightmare trip. Cooksley had no option but to push Sir Clive forward in the first 200m and the colt made an ordinary attempt at the bend out of the home straight, which was his first time round a right-handed bend in a race.
Cooksley kept going forward to secure a spot one off the rail, but just as he was about to get there at the 1350m, the leaders steadied and he was forced to stay three wide.
Danamite forged to the lead early in the home straight, chased by Deebee Belle and Sir Clive kept hard after the pair.
Given what he had done, Sir Clive was entitled to wilt, but he kept going strongly.
Yet again greenness cost him. Danamite ducked out in the closing stages and when Deebee Belle overreacted, so did Sir Clive.
Danamite's trainer Roger James felt the horses who finished behind him on Saturday could not beat hm in the Derby. Williams and Cooksley do not agree.
"He can win the Derby," said Williams, who before the race said his horse had to do something pretty smart to be considered a Derby hope.
It is not only mental preparedness that Sir Clive might improve on, Williams is certain there is physical improvement as well. He has had to walk a knife edge for a tough Bayer Classic-Avondale Guineas, Derby preparation.
Cooksley is adamant there will be no problems with the Derby's 2400m. "The way he kept going was impressive and showed beyond doubt he'll manage the 2400m."
Racing: Big dumb kid costs himself Guineas win
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