By MIKE DILLON
Hello Dolly's 485206 formline does not tip you into favouritism for tomorrow's $40,000 Genesis Star Belle Classic, but don't be fooled.
The underrated mare has been racing against only the best - Giovana (twice), Zonda, Kaapeon and Tall Poppy have won the last five races she has contested, any one of which would be a raging favourite for this race.
Last Saturday Hello Dolly finished only 1 1/2 lengths from Tall Poppy in the group one, weight-for-age Lion Red Stakes at Ellerslie.
Having to back up a week later and carry 56.5kg topweight are factors Hello Dolly has to overcome, but owner/trainer Bill Wills is worried about only the second of those.
"I backed her up within a week last season and she went only fair in the second start, but the ground that day did not suit her, so I've given her the benefit of the doubt on that," said Wills.
"Having to give weight (2kg) to a smart horse in Ismailia is not easy, but if she didn't win or go close I'd turn her out for a spell.
"She's done extremely well since running the other day, in fact, she's probably never come through a race better."
Ismailia is the one to beat. The improving mare left the barriers awkwardly last Saturday and did well to finish on into third behind a smart type in Blanchard.
That was under 57kg and she will appreciate the 54.5kg this time.
Drama Queen is the upsetter, her effort here last weekend being a lot better than her 11th placing looked.
She covered a lot of extra ground improving around the field from last and did well to be less than four lengths away in a strong field.
Takanini mares Scheherezade and Krystal Klear are trifecta chances.
Matamata's Mark Walker would love to add tomorrow's $20,000 Westmed Open to the three winners he landed to share the $5000 trainers' prize with Paul O'Sullivan on his home track on Wednesday.
Walker produces Te Akau Dancer in the Westmed with a horror combination of 58kg topweight and barrier 11 at the 1200m.
"The only thing you can say is that he's earned the weight and the draw makes it pretty tough," said Walker yesterday.
Te Akau Dancer, says Walker, has freshened since failing at 1600m, this time in the Thorndon Mile at Trentham in January.
"He's raced well all summer without a great deal of luck."
Te Akau Dancer has been trained specifically for one last crack at 1600m in the $120,000 Japan/New Zealand International Trophy at Tauranga on March 31.
"If he doesn't cop the distance this time, we won't try him again."
Te Akau Dancer will need luck from the draw, but has the ability to win if he gets it.
Graeme Sanders has been hoping for rain for Party Queen to resume racing following a summer spell.
"With the programme I've got planned for her I don't have an option but to run her," said Sanders yesterday.
Vain Ana and Madhuri Dixit are capable of winning in a tricky field.
Racing: Dolly's looking good, despite form
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