Manawatu jockey Hayden Tinsley is not one who fears Diamond Cashel, the likely favourite for the $160,000 Two Thousand Guineas at Riccarton in Christchurch today.
Tinsley, who will ride Tit For Taat, believes the hype surrounding Diamond Cashel could be overrated.
"She's comes across to me as an unlucky horse," Tinsley told NZPA.
Diamond Cashel had still to prove she could match it with the best three-year-olds, he said.
Her only win was in a maiden two-year-old race last season and fifth is her best placing in three starts this season.
"But I'm not really that worried about her. It wouldn't surprise me if she ended with no luck again tomorrow."
Tinsley rated Tit For Taat "the best of the colts" in the field and said the horse would have no problems with the 1600m of group one race.
He based that assessment on Tit For Taat's second in the Wellington Guineas (1500m) at Trentham on October 23 when he was making ground on the winner Spring Rain at the finish.
Tinsley, who struggles with his weight, has only resumed riding in recent weeks after spending more than three months on the sidelines in a break from racing. He said he was making a full return.
Diamond Cashel, trained at Matamata by Paul O'Sullivan, caused a stir in last Saturday's One Thousand Guineas (1600m) for three-year-old fillies when she was pulled up during the running by rider Lance O'Sullivan because of a slipped saddle.
Paul O'Sullivan said some changes to the saddling gear would be made to avoid a repeat of last Saturday.
He had been "super confident" with Diamond Cashel before the One Thousand Guineas and he had no reason to think any differently for today, despite the presence of colts and geldings.
"The colts don't seem any better than the fillies," O'Sullivan said.
Two other fillies backing up from the One Thousand Guineas are Singalong and Chimeara. Singalong was third on Saturday and Chimeara fifth.
Matamata trainer Stephen Autridge said Singalong had come through the race in good condition and Cambridge trainer Sheila Laxon has decided to add blinkers to Chimeara in an effort to produce an improved showing.
The South Island's best hopes appear to rest with the Riccarton stable of Peter and Dawn Williams. They are represented by Sir Clive and McJake.
Sir Clive was fifth in the Wellington Guineas but was checked in the early stages. His previous form was excellent with four wins from six starts.
McJake was seventh in the Wellington Guineas but he too had shown plenty of promise with a record of two wins from five starts. One of the wins had been in a two-year-old race at Trentham in July.
- NZPA
Racing: Favourite comes across as 'unlucky' to rival rider
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