Racing: Derby pace will be genuine

Most Derbys are about what horses will stay the distance.

Tomorrow's $2.2 million Telecom Derby at Ellerslie looked as if it could have been more about "where will they be in running?", and "can they sprint the last 600m brilliantly from where they are?".

In a bizzare way, this is one Derby that could have ended up being not about the 2400m, but about which 3-year-old could sprint the fastest last 600m.

Then, along came Matamata trainer Paul Moroney and his high-class colt Monaco Consul.

There is an almost total lack of natural pace in this classic, which in staying races can lead to dramatically skewing the form.

Not one of the 15 runners has led in any of their past three races.

The problem for three of the favoured runners, hot favourite Zarzuela, Corporal Jones and Katie Lee, is that they have drawn barriers No 13, 11 and 10.

That could have meant if they got back they would need to rely on a reasonably solid pace to allow them to finish on and that looked to be absent.

Until Paul Moroney played his hand.

Moroney says the Derby WILL be run at a solid clip.

"Monaco Consul will go forward and if there is not a solid pace on we will leave it up to Leith [Innes], but we'll have no qualms about leading if it means the only chance of a decent speed is doing that.

"There will be no possible chance of a slow pace. We will ensure a gallop.

"We're sure our horse is a stayer - we're not so sure about some of the others."

Moroney also issued a warning: "Monaco Consul has been working every bit as well as before the Spring Champion Stakes and the Victoria Derby, possibly better."

Monaco Consul had soreness issues before finishing well back in the Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, but Moroney said he was now totally free in his action.

"We had our chiropractor go over him this week and he says he's the most supple he's ever been.

"He couldn't fault him. In fact, he was staggered by how structurally sound he is."

Zarzuela is currently the $2.80 favourite, out from $2.20 in the earlier market before the barrier draw.

If they ran the race in lanes she would be closer to $1.60.

Zarzuela is a filly of extraordinary talent. Her consecutive victories in the Guineas at Ellerslie, the Waikato Guineas and the Championship Stakes were achieved with an air of authority, despite trainer Mark Walker feeling before each run that the filly could be vulnerable on fitness.

Walker is certain to have her as close as possible to peak fitness, although he has been trying to leave just a little slack in her with a trip to the AJC Oaks in Sydney as a target.

But that is an incredibly difficult knife edge because there will be little room for lack of fitness in the closing stages of tomorrow's Derby.

If Zarzuela lands the money it will be one of the landmark achievements of the already star-studded training career of Mark Walker.

You will get a good guide to the chances of the favourites at the 600m.

Which will mean the final 200m will probably be as exciting as any of the Derby finishes of recent times.

Strong winds in Auckland yesterday mean the Auckland Racing Club will have to apply further irrigation to the track this morning.

"We applied irrigation this morning and thought that would be sufficient, but the winds have dried it out remarkably," said ARC racing manager Andrew Castles.

"There is a greater sole of grass than was the case for the Christmas and New Year meeting."

The track is rated a good 3.