Racing: Blistering run sets star colt up for Melbourne

Don't judge Darci Brahma's chances in the Cadbury Guineas in Melbourne by the pressure he appeared to be under at the finish of the $100,000 Otaki Maori WFA.

He was entitled to be under pressure. The glamour colt ran the 1600m in a remarkable 1.33.67 and would have broken records for his 600m and 400m sectionals.

Unfortunately the television camera was in too tight on the field to get a perspective of where the 600m mark was for timing purposes and the 400m pole is well inside the run on the point of the home turn, once again not allowing an accurate time.

Hayden Tinsley, on runner-up Kristov, knows those sectionals had to be remarkable.

So does anyone who has seen the remarkable Kristov zip home in races where he has been allowed to cruise mid-race.

"I went on him early then I allowed him to relax between the 1100m and the 700m - I wanted him to have a comfortable 400m in the middle of the race," said Tinsley of Kristov.

"The pack nearly caught both of us up at the 400m and we've run right away from them down the straight - they'd have run a very fast 400m."

Darci Brahma didn't dash past Kristov, but then no horse can, particularly running those times.

The interest in the colt's performance was not whether he won, but a judgment call on how he would fare against the topline Australian 3-year-olds in the A$1 million ($1.1 millon) Cadbury Guineas in two weeks.

Trainer Mark Walker feels he's on track.

"You have to remember he was second-up for this race - there is considerable improvement in him yet.

"I feel we're on the right track. He's certainly had the right prep for Australia.

"He's had two trials and races over 1400m and 1600m. Gods Own, who is favourite in Australia, raced first-up at 1000m and then had a 1400m on a wet track.

"Darci has had the better preparation."

Walker said Darci Brahma appeared to have come through the tough race well.

"I didn't trot him up this morning, I preferred to let him relax in his paddock, but he got down and had a roll, which is always a good sign."

The decision on whether Michael Walker will ride Darci Brahma in Melbourne has yet to be made.

Melbourne's chief stipendiary steward, Des Gleeson, last week expressed a desire to talk to Walker to clear up matters surrounding the New Zealand jockey's admissions that he took drugs while riding in Melbourne.

Mark Walker is clear that he wants his stable jockey on the colt in the Guineas.

"Michael's part of our team, I trust him and I want him on the colt.

"I'll be kicking up for him very hard."

Mark Walker said Redbreb, who faded when raging favourite for the Ford Slipper at Matamata, was once again feeling his shins.

"He's a horse who is probably going to need just a little cut in the ground.

"I'll keep him going and hope that there is rain before the [$150,000] Diamond Stakes on the final day at Ellerslie."

Kristov's performance once again proved what a remarkable horse he is and how well he is being prepared by Phillips Stevens.