Racing: Frail outer disguises huge heart

Shikoba might look frail on the outside, but she's got the heart of a lion.

And she needed it to pull her supporters through in Saturday's $30,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes at Riccarton.

Shikoba started a $2.05 favourite, but the army of punters that created that support were not happy when the filly was checked back to last.

And it's just as well they didn't know what was going through Michael Walker's mind halfway through the race.

"She didn't cop the ground that well," said Walker after Shikoba had to show real grit to get past the entire field to win the Listed Stakes race.

It certainly appeared the huge strides Shikoba took making a winning debut at Riccarton a couple of weeks back were a bit shorter in the tricky conditions on Saturday.

Shikoba has a huge stride for a smallish filly and gets low to the ground, like a horse that will manage more distance than the 1200m to which she has been restricted.

Trainer Mark Walker is aiming Shikoba at the $200,000 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas and the 1600m should not be a problem.

"She'll definitely get up over a lot more ground," said Walker.

Walker sent Shikoba to his Christchurch stable because of her physical make-up.

"She's quite a frail filly and we wanted her to have plenty of time to settle in.

"The plan seems to be working."

Walker won the first race at Riccarton with Triffiq, who he will also aim at the 1000 Guineas.

The Matamata trainer said he has big plans for Arlingtonboulevard, winner of Saturday's $45,000 Mason Appliances 4YO at New Plymouth.

"I've got a definite plan in mind, but I can't make it public until I go over it with the mare's owners this week."

Arlingtonboulevard was hugely impressive the way she powered up to the lead early in the home straight. The strength of her finish gave nothing else a chance.

The favourite Alonzo was unable to produce his big strides in the slow footing.

He finished fourth, but as far out as 400m he looked to have little chance of winning.

"He floundered in the ground, he couldn't find any footing at all," said rider Matthew Williamson.

"The way he was travelling on the corner I thought he was going to drop out and run last - I thought he did really well to finish fourth.'