Racing: Carnival Clean Sweep on hold

Derby winning trainers Michael Moroney and Andrew Scott won't know until tomorrow if they have a serious shot at sweeping all three majors at the summer carnival.

Auckland's director of racing, Butch Castles, says no decision on Clean Sweep's place in the Railway Handicap field will be made until the deadline for final withdrawals at 11am.

If the Moroney/Scott winner of this year's 2000 Guineas starts in the 14-strong Railway field it will be through the discretionary powers of the club committee.

Despite her awesome effort at Riccarton, where she beat most of the country's top three-year-old colts and geldings, Clean Sweep hasn't a hope of qualifying on her form alone.

Such is the strength of this summer's line-up, even impressive Concorde winner Gee I Jane has only just missed the ballot.

Yesterday, however, Castles was giving no clues away as to which way the club would go when they meet to discuss the Clean Sweep issue.

"I can't make any comment until then," said Castles. "We'll assess it when we know who's left in the race."

Danart dropped out of contention yesterday, but countering that was the fact the lightweight Devoted was now certain of a Railway run, courtesy of her second in Sunday's Newmarket Handicap.

Scott is taking a philosophical approach to the Clean Sweep situation.

But he admits there's no plan B at this stage if she isn't allowed to start.

"I'm just pinning my hopes on her making the field," said Scott.

"I know that if she makes it and draws a gate she's ready to run a super race. She's training well and looks very bright."

Yesterday Clean Sweep was rated a $12 hope in the TABs fixed odds Railway market.

Scott, who saddled Xcellent to win the Derby on Sunday, is confident the stable has a strong chance in the second leg of the carnival's triple crown, the New Zealand Herald Auckland Cup, with The Mighty Lions.

The veteran stayer has thrived since her gutsy Avondale Cup win and Scott says the tough campaigner only needs an alley near the fence to be a huge win hope on Saturday.

Scott said carpark draws cost her dearly last year in both the Auckland and Wellington Cups.

"I think she drew one from the outside in both races, which means she was forced to cover too much extra ground down the back straight.

"To ensure she gets the two miles she needs to have an economical trip."

Scott says The Mighty Lions is a much happier horse compared with the same time last year before she ran fourth in the Auckland Cup.

He's also sure the stable has made the right call in keeping her in cotton wool since her Avondale win on December 1.

"She's a fragile old mare and when they get arthritis in their joints you can't run them too many times.

"She goes best on the fresh side, as she proved in the Avondale Cup."

Meanwhile, racegoers at Ellerslie tomorrow will get their first look at two of the Aussie raiders standing in the way of further group one success for the Scott/Moroney team.

Auckland Cup hope Bondy and early Railway favourite Not A Single Doubt are scheduled to gallop between races early in the card.

Bondy is rated a $12 fixed odds hope with the TAB, while Not A Single Doubt is at just $4 for the Railway, even before the crucial barrier draws are made.