KEY POINTS:
The step to 2000m should suit Cambridge mare Zilzie in tomorrow's $70,000 Taranaki Cup.
Zilzie is an emerging stayer who had to be ridden upside down over 1600m in fillies and mares class last start, hitting the front in the home straight and being run down late.
Instead she should be running at them late tomorrow. A suspended Lisa Cropp rode Zilzie last time and tomorrow she has the services of Hayden Tinsley.
* * *
Shikoba went a lot better race in the group one Thorndon Mile than her 10th placing on paper suggests. Mark Walker said he is happy with the mare and is looking for a big effort over 1600m at Ellerslie tomorrow.
* * *
Several of the runners in tomorrow's SkyCity Auckland Cup Prelude need to win to guarantee a start in the Cup itself.
Ntamack, Punt Higher and Genebel have been weighted at 52.5kg in the Auckland Cup, almost certainly not enough to gain them entry into the field. The winner of tomorrow's Prelude is exempt from the Cup ballot, regardless of weight.
* * *
The TAB yesterday had The Pooka as $1.45 for the group three Ford 2YO Classic at New Plymouth tomorrow, which on paper seems good money.
The Pooka was no match for Crossyourheart in the Bloodstock Classique at Te Rapa and finished second after a hard run from a wide barrier.
