Racing: Classy filly looks too strong

Zarzuela should be too strong for her potential NZ Derby rivals at Ellerslie tomorrow. Photo / Sarah Ivey

You'd naturally expect the riders of Zarzuela and Corporal Jones to be watching each other in tomorrow's NZ Equine Veterinarian Championship Stakes.

Having drawn barriers No 1 and No 2, that's a given.

This is not a grand final when you've got the $2.2 million Telecom Derby on March 6 just around the corner as the next target, but as a group two race it's an important target.

Zarzuela is the current Derby favourite at $2.80 with Corporal Jones at $10 third favourite, the pair being split by Monaco Consul at $5.

If you needed to know how good Zarzuela is, you found out when she won the Waikato Guineas at Te Rapa last start.

There was little confidence in the camp because of concerns about fitness levels and when you saw the impressive filly you knew why - she looked fat.

"She was way short of her best," said trainer Mark Walker, after Zarzuela came from the back of the field, went around most of the runners and completely bombed the leaders in the closing stages.

It was a superb performance from a high-class filly. Zarzuela could be something very special.

As a fitter horse she is going to take more stopping this time - probably more stopping than the opposition can cope with.

The only possible issue could be the inside barrier draw. It would be silly to suggest the opposition riders will not be trying to make it as difficult as possible for Zarzuela to get her-self off a potentially difficult rails position.

It may be their only chance.

Joey Massino, Military Move, Martial Art, King Raedwald, Time Keeper and Maciano provide plenty of opposition behind the favourites - 3-year-old races this season have been remarkably competitive.

Kuulu is another with a hope.

Elbaz gets a chance tomorrow to prove he's more than the new boy on the block in the Hills Pet Nutrition Cup Prelude.

Everbright, Willy Smith, Young Centaur, Heza Karma Kazi and Six O'Clock News are chances in the $1 million Stella Artois Auckland Cup on March 10 and Elbaz is suddenly chipping at their heels.

Elbaz is only two starts away from a special conditions maiden race, but looks a stayer of high class.

He won well at Te Rapa last start, but his second at Ellerslie the previous time around when he lost five lengths coming out of the starting gates suggested even greater ability.

The key here is that Elbaz has had some hard races and many of the Auckland Cup horses are still on the way to the big races.

That may prove to be a crucial difference.

The toughest may be Heza Karma Karzi, who, at 53kg, is on the same weight as Elbaz, who has won three of his past four and Heza Karma Karzi three of his past five.

Another highlight will be the return to racing of potential top-class stayer Harris Tweed in the 1600m open handicap, early on the card.

The striking-looking son of Montjeu has not raced since his game fifth in the Melbourne Cup. My Scotsgrey, one of the Auckland Cup favourites, broke down at Cambridge yesterday morning.

The New Zealand Cup winner went amiss in a flexor tendon and will be out for the rest of the year.

Trainer Shaune Ritchie has also had a problem with top-class filly Keep The Peace, one of those turned sideways when the field for the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic at Te Rapa last Saturday was disrupted when a horse broke a hind leg.

Ritchie is working hard to get Keep The Peace to the New Zealand Bloodstock Oaks.

CHAMPIONSHIP STAKES

* Zarzuela is out to prove she's the country's best 3-year-old.
* The Waikato Guineas win was spectacular given that the filly was fat.
* The $2.80, $2.2 million Telecom Derby favourite has drawn the No 1 barrier, which could make for an interesting race.