By Mike Dillion
One of the most difficult things to imagine at Te Rapa today is Willie Capone running second or third.
Much easier to accept would be for him to totally dominate the $475,000 Mercedes Super Bonus Classique or finish down the track.
We all know the battle they've had to get him to the races today.
The huge problems he had when he spread himself at the start of his fateful Trentham race two weeks ago have essentially disappeared, but the chance of some residual niggles make him a dicey prospect at the odds he'll come up at today.
Everyone hopes he can win . He is a coming superstar. No 2-year-old seen out yet would live with him at his best.
Everyone wants to see that type of horse prosper.
But $1.7 chances need to be certainties. There is enough doubt to rate him at nothing like that. Spring Rain, Princess Marengo and Conquistar have shown enough to test Willie Capone if he is slightly off his game.
Star Blinka (No8, R5) let the team down at Avondale last week, but it may not be smart to drop off her just yet. Better to assume she is fitter for that run and give her another chance. As a backrunner she is suited by the compact field. Java Siang (No3) fairly flew in the closing stages of her 1600m on this track last start and will be hugely suited by the step to 2100m. She looks on the verge of some smart form.
Vivaldi (No6, R10) copped all his bad luck for the season when he had to be pulled out of the Derby in the last couple of days, but could get a minor consolation today. He looks a coming stayer and while 1600m will soon be too short, he has not raced since mid-December and should be sharp enough today.
Grease (No2, R8) might throw in a huge first-up run. His 3-year-old form last season was smart and he gave every impression he would be even better with a bit more time. Derby winner Hades will have plenty of friends, but dropping back from 2400m to 1400m, even with six weeks between, is no easy task and it is easy to see him running on strongly into the minor money.
Idol (No2, R4), third in the Derby, probably has an easier task in the 1600m C3. He is a much more precocious type than Hades, a dour stayer, and should not lack sharpness. Justine (No3) has a great record on this track and should have freshened nicely since last racing.
Promise Keeper (No1, R2) should appreciate a slight drop in class. He only battled at Trentham last start, but from the No 2 barrier in this field makes a fair bit of appeal.
Racing: Doubt still hanging over Willie Capone
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.