Racing: Filly not your usual Aussie flyer

Just when you thought you could see a positive that Queensland filly Sister Havana is a typical Australian sprinter, rider Stathi Katsidis can find a positive that she's not.

The topline Brisbane rider is happy Sister Havana is not a speed machine going into tomorrow's $1 million Karaka Million.

Australian sprinters can be blast furnace machines - horses that run as fast as they can for as long as they can.

Katsidis has had only one ride on Sister Havana, but is so astute that he's worked out the talented filly is not of that ilk.

"When she ran fourth at Eagle Farm, when I rode her last start, she didn't quite have the speed for the 1000m.

"The first, second and third horses ran past her in the home straight, but in the last bit of the race she got going and took ground off them again.

"That showed me a quality in her that says she is going to keep improving and a quality that says she's going to be suited by this Ellerslie race."

Katsidis has ridden at Ellerslie and knows it's not necessarily a speedster's track that lends itself to leaders.

There is likely to be so much speed in the race that the winner will come from a horse that can hit the line hard.

Katsidis sees Sister Havana as that sort of filly. "A lot will depend on where she ends up after 100m.

"I'll leave her where she lands and hope for clear running.

"The day I rode her she slightly missed going with the others, but she sometimes comes out quickly as well.

"This is a race that's luck orientated. You can't afford to be bounced around.

"Liam [Birchley] has put the winkers on her and I think that will make a difference."

Speed and guts win races like the Karaka Million.

Katsidis thinks he's on the right filly for the right race.

But it won't be easy.

Earlier on the card, with the scratching of Prince of Wales, Green Supreme gets his chance in the NZ Bloodstock Insurance 3YO Mile.

Green Supreme, who is on the rise, was ridden as if he was the best horse in the field at Ellerslie last start and there was no question - he was.

This is a big step up, but he's ready for it. Last week's Trentham winner Joey Massino also can't be ignored.

The addition of blinkers has made a difference to Elbaz and first-race James McDonald is a strong chance to do it again in tomorrow's opener.

Dunstan final winner Seaflyte has been unlucky enough to draw wide, but with a decent crack at them he will still be hard to beat.

In an even field, Loviste, once again with the benefit of Alvin Ng's 3kg, is a decent chance to make it three from her past four. She puts herself in the race and can fight hard late.

It's a shame Likeyourstyle has drawn wide. She stormed home into third in a very strong form race at Te Rapa last start and with fair luck can be in it again.

If he's taken no harm from his tough run when second to Late Cuddle at Trentham last Saturday, Palatine should be difficult to contain in Race 4.

That was a good strong effort and an even better one was when second to the very talented November Rain, beaten half a length, the start before. What beats him should win.

Ballybit is a serious horse and he showed it when chasing hard after the massively talented Green Cash at Manawatu last start. This is a useful field, but there is nothing of the class of Green Cash. With luck he will go close.

Miss Sharipova is not far behind in class, if at all.