By MIKE DILLON
There is no Oakley for Creme De Honor to beat at Ellerslie tomorrow.
Which should see the class Takanini mudder return to the high class winning form he showed last winter.
Creme De Honor took three starts to find his fitness level this campaign before going down by a head in a fighting finish with Oakley here last start.
There has not been a run which suggested an improver more in recent months and with a track to suit guaranteed, the Jenny Vance trained runner will be at restricted odds to score his first win this year.
The 57.5kg from a wide barrier draw may look restrictive, but the weight is only 3.5kg above the minimum and wide and handy may be the place to be.
With the spell of fine weather the track may be better than on previous days of the meeting and the form could change dramatically.
Worth considering in this respect is Mr McGerkle, who has not shown up in two starts this campaign, but who is an accomplished winter galloper with a good record on this track.
The worse the track the better his chances and rain on the day would be a huge bonus.
Similarly, Gencay is certain to be fitter for two runs since coming back from a break. Her third and fourth have been useful efforts and conditions here should suit.
While Lately is probably better known as a stayer, he has a record of four wins and six placings at this 1600m distance.
He produced a big third behind Oakley here last start when back from a spell and while he will soon need more distance, he should still be fresh enough to put in a big run.
Likely Story is an interesting runner. He had his 3200m Adelaide Cup campaign aborted by a stone bruise and while coming back to 1600m successfully would be an ask for most horses, he is capable of a big effort.
It has been a long time between drinks for Kate Lorimer, but the Takanini mare has been in great form lately with minor placings behind Adonis and this looks her chance to win in the first leg of the second TAB double.
Late in the day the outside barrier draw will be an advantage.
Flying Chief does not string consistent runs together, evidenced by his last placing at Te Rapa early in June, which preceded a win on the same track two weeks later followed by finishing nearly 13 lengths behind Adonis here last start.
But he is a very capable wet weather sprinter on his day and this race is well within his capabilities.
* * *
Riding two winners from three rides is a half decent start for any 16-year-old novice apprentice jockey.
Samantha Spratt is up for that when she climbs aboard Paolino in the $10,000 Rotary Club of Newmarket 1400 at Ellerslie tomorrow.
Spratt kicked home Tunza a winner from her first mount at Te Rapa last week and after one further ride on Wednesday, gets the chance on in-form stable runner Paolino.
"I've got the greatest of confidence in Samantha to do the job right," said Paolino's co-trainer Colin Jillings, to whose stable Pratt is apprenticed.
"She's going to be a top class rider."
Carrying 56kg and Lance O'Sullivan, Paolino won well at Ellerslie on May 26 and Pratt's 4.5kg apprentice allowance off her carded 57.5kg will be a huge influence this time.
The 53kg she will carry will make it much more difficult for probably her main rival on paper, Tsar Omar, who will carry his full 58kg with Gary Grylls in the saddle.
The weight differential in heavy winter going will be a deciding factor.
Racing: Creme De Honour stands out
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