Racing: Brighton prepared for Boxing Day test

Brighton contests the Dunstan Feeds 1500 Championship Final at Ellerslie today. Photo / Trish Dunell

Trainer Nigel Tiley is the first to admit that, on paper, stable runner Brighton has his work cut out to figure in the finish of the Dunstan Feeds 1500 Championship Final (1500m) at Ellerslie today.

But Tiley is also well aware that races aren't run on paper and the reality is the five-year-old Buffalo Man gelding can overcome the challenge of a wide barrier and topweight in the special conditions feature.

"I guess when you look at it and you see the wide barrier and 60 kilograms it's easy to start writing him off," he said.

"I know it's going to be tough but if he can get a little luck then I give him a good chance as he is flying at the moment.

"His last run was behind a very smart mare in Yearn and he pleased me that day and in his work since.

"His record says he deserves to be at the top of the handicap, so I know he has the ability to win the race and all he needs now is things to fall his way."

Tiley has engaged leading rider Opie Bosson to take the mount on Brighton, a move he believes will only benefit his charge.

"Opie is all class and you need every advantage to win a race like this," he said.

"I think circumstances will dictate that we have to go back at the start and look for a run through them as I can't see him carrying that weight and going around them.

"We are going to need all the luck we can get and I'm hoping Opie can find it."

Tiley is well represented on the day with talented galloper The Justice League kicking things off for his five-strong team in the first race.

"The Justice League is going well so we're looking to make a good start to the day," he said. "He got beaten by Love Affair last time at Pukekohe, which is no disgrace, so I'd like to think he could go one better on Tuesday.

"We also have Cherry Bay, Odisha, Makdanife and two-year-old Yulong Express in.

"So we have a pretty good representation on the day, with them all having legitimate chances."

Meanwhile, a trip to the races on Saturday as a travelling companion for stablemate Dr Watson was just the ticket for star Central Districts galloper Dolcetto, who will complete his preparation for a Gr.1 challenge when he runs at Awapuni today.

Trainer Sylvia Kay has the Per Incanto five-year-old primed to tackle the Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham on January 20 and believes she has the seven-race winner somewhere near his peak for his Boxing Day run.

Dolcetto made his return to the track at Otaki this month, finishing fourth behind Chambord, after taking a break following an unbeaten sequence of five straight wins over the winter and early spring.

Kay was pleased with the gelding's Otaki performance after he encountered trouble in the six-horse field.

"He had a good run but got into a little bit of trouble on the home turn and lost some momentum but all in all we were pleased with him. The track was pretty firm that day and his legs were very cool afterwards so that was a good thing as well."

Some strong work in the meantime has kept Dolcetto up to the mark but Kay expects further improvement.

Visiting expat Kiwi Ryan Hurdle takes the ride on Dolcetto today with regular pilot Samantha Collett committed to the lucrative Ellerslie meeting.

- NZ Racing Desk