Racing: Classy filly may be too good for the boys

Trotting fans who thought Shezoneoftheboyz was awesome at Addington last Friday are in for a real treat in tonight's $80,000 Trotting Derby.

Because normally conservative trainer-driver Mark Jones is adamant his filly will strip lengths better.

The unbeaten filly will start a dominant favourite even against an outstanding crop of rival 3-year-olds in the classic over the 2600m mobile.

Her win in her final lead-up race last Friday was stunning as she blazed over her last 800m in 57.9 seconds, a second faster than race-rival Khadon in a similar race last Friday.

Shezoneoftheboyz did it with ease, suggesting she could be one of the most talented trotting fillies ever produced in this country.

Before last Friday's win Jones told Herald readers Shezoneoftheboyz would improve on whatever she did last Friday and he sticks by that.

"She will definitely be a better horse this week," said Jones.

"She needed that run last week and has tightened up and is exactly where she needs to be."

Jones is so thrilled with his stable star he says he is willing to go to war with second favourite The Fiery Ginga, who looked the star of this crop until beaten fair and square by Khadon last Friday.

"He is still a very good horse but my filly has to be at least as good as him, maybe better.

"So if we are able to get the lead I won't be scared to park him [The Fiery Ginga] out and leave him there."

The potential for early fireworks does open a doorway of opportunity for speedsters like Chocolate Brownie and Khadon if they can settle off the speed.

But the reality is group one trotting races are, more often than not, won by the best horse in the race, with their racing style tending to be more formulaic and less dependant on gate speed than their pacing equivalents.

So if she races up to last Friday's form, Shezoneoftheboyz should win.

The Fiery Ginga is the enigma of the race for punters.

He has done some freakish things in his brutal career to date but a summer of hard racing seems to have taken the edge off him.

With a lighter race programme and better driver he would be the best 3-year-old trotter in the country but large cracks have started to appear in his once seemingly undentable armour. Still, victory tonight would be fitting reward for the young warhorse who must have a giant heart.

While Jones is happy with his draw in the Trotting Derby, he thinks a wide barrier has ruined any winning chance for his charge, Captain Peacock in tonight's Flying Stakes.

The 3-year-old has won his past four races, including a stunner at Ashburton where he overcame an early gallop.

"But we are really up against it this week, drawn out wide with the good ones inside us.

"So, if he is running on I'll be happy."