Racing: Hard track erodes confidence in Kay

The big dry in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty has lessened Mark Walker's confidence in class mare Rapid Kay for tomorrow's $40,000 Tauranga Classic.

The Matamata trainer is worried Rapid Kay could arrive home from the races as she did after finishing a marvellous fifth in the $100,000 Telegraph Handicap at Trentham last start - jarred up in the legs.

"This mare does best on rain-affected footing," said Walker. "She is getting ready for the Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha and I'm not sure how she's going to handle this race."

If Walker is not confident and Sarah Vee has been declared for Otaki instead, punters are left with a puzzling choice.

You almost have to take the view that class alone can carry Rapid Kay close enough to victory. It is difficult to imagine most of the others finishing within threequarters of a length in a group one race.

"Also, what won't help her is that on a firm surface the winners tend to come off the front at Tauranga," said Walker. Rapid Kay is a traditional back runner.

The way the race looks, Barcelona and Alleyrun are set up for some of the money. Barcelona is consistent, races handy, which suits, and almost always fights on better than she did when a fading sixth to Lookatmelads at Tauherenikau last start. From barrier No 2 she is going to get her chance.

Alleyrun is the value. She disappointed at her last appearance on January 15 but before that did well to make ground from the back of the field in the group two Rich Hill Stakes on the final day of the Ellerslie carnival. Before that she finished fast for third to Bhandara in the weight-for-age King's Plate.

Clean Sweep, Sarajay and The Island Storm are chances in a confusing race.