KEY POINTS:
John Sargent walked off Matamata racecourse impressed yesterday morning by the trackwork recorded by Fiscal Madness and Sharvasti heading into the Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on Tuesday.
The Sargent stable has been running hot in the Auckland-Waikato region this season and the leading trainer hopes that good form will continue at Ellerslie.
"They both had their final gallops before the Zabeel Classic on the course proper at Matamata and they strode out well over 1200m," said Sargent. "I couldn't be happier with them and they're both fit and well and ready to run out a solid 2000m.
"Fiscal Madness has drawn out a little wide at barrier nine but there is a bit of speed in the race and we'll be looking to get a sit off the speed."
Leith Innes will take the ride on the 4-year-old who impressed with an effortless last-start victory at Ellerslie.
Stablemate Sharvasti will carry 56kg, a factor that has Sargent confident of a top performance.
"My mare will have a 3kg pull on the likes of Fiscal Madness, Kerry O'Reilly, Hurrah and Mandela and she's got a good formline."
With proven front runners Gorgeous George, Kajema and Maroofity entered, the pace will be on throughout the running of the Group One 2000m, weight-for-age event.
Mandela has returned from a successful Australian campaign including a gutsy ninth in the Melbourne Cup. He was fourth in the Avondale Cup.
While Mandela is unproven in weight-for-age racing, he has a clear edge in race fitness but will need luck from barrier 12.
Kerry O'Reilly is another Melbourne Cup runner kicking off in this weight-for-age feature and is proven in this class. He was second at the start of the season in the Kelt Stakes.
Calveen bounced back to winning form impressively at Te Rapa a week ago and has an explosive sprint finish when following the speed.
Arlingtonboulevard is an interesting runner. The Mark Walker-trained mare is quite capable of winning although her slow barrier speed makes it a difficult assignment over 2000m.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
