Racing: Bridgman casts eye skyward

Lady Kipling will appreciate the extra distance of the Royal Stakes. Photo / Supplied

Matamata trainer Jason Bridgman had only one New Year's Eve wish yesterday - that Ellerslie dodges the forecast drenching today.

If there is a chink in the armour of his dominant New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes (2000m) favourite King's Rose tomorrow, it's a rain-affected track.

"She handled it at two but they're so genuine at that age they try so hard anyway," said Bridgman.

"Her class will take her a long way at Ellerslie, but she's just so brilliant on top of the ground, any rain is going to bring us back to the rest of the field a fraction."

Everything else Bridgman can control in King's Rose's build-up has been faultless.

He is not fazed one bit either by her lack of raceday experience the right-hand way round.

She has tried it only once at speed, when unplaced at Ellerslie in the group one Auckland Diamond Stakes (1200m) last March.

Bridgman is confident it'll be a different story with the slower tempo among the country's best staying fillies.

As impressive as she has been in winning the 1000 Guineas and, more recently, the Eulogy Stakes over 1600m, Bridgman is expecting even more fireworks over middle-distance trips.

From the stout staying bloodlines (Redoute's Choice-Nureyev's Girl) to her relaxed stride, Bridgman says everything about her points to a bigger future as a stayer.

If there is a concern outside the weather for the camp, it's the normally coveted six starting gate.

"I wouldn't have minded drawing out even wider so we can control the race," said Bridgman.

"I don't like her getting cluttered up inside runners but I guess at some stage she's going to get an inside draw and get stuck on the fence so we just have to learn to deal with it."

With regular pilot Opie Bosson on the injured list, James McDonald has the task of picking the winning path.

McDonald rode her in each of her four starts at two, which included a fifth in the group two Matamata Breeders' Stakes.

Eight Carat Stakes placegetter Annie Higgins looks the obvious threat after her late-charging effort for third on Boxing Day.

Adaline toppled hot Royal Stakes favourite Katie Lee earlier this year after a similar effort in the traditional lead-up.

If you are looking for double-figure odds, expect a better run tomorrow from Eight Carat failure Lady Kipling.

She tailed the field for most of the race from her outside gate and was never in top gear in the straight as she leisurely picked off three rivals through the body of the field.

Blinkers go on for the first time tomorrow and trainers Murray and Bjorn Baker are expecting her to turn that form around now she gets over a bit more ground.

Her effort for third from near the rear two starts in the group one Levin Classic (1600m) was phenomenal.

If she overcomes the 13 alley, trainer Donna Logan also wouldn't be surprised to see Queen Of Pop push King's Rose the closest.

She wasn't surprised to see her peak on her run last time out in the Eight Carat.

It was her first run for a month and rider Jason Collett was forced to use more gas than preferred from another wide gate. "If she can get any luck in the running she could be the roughie," said Logan.