Racing: I Do can from wide barrier

New Plymouth mare I Do has been heavily backed to win her second feature tomorrow. Picture / APN

Positivity wins in horse racing.

Which is why the favourite I Do will not be inconvenienced by her shocking wide barrier in tomorrow's $200,000 Windsor Park Plate at Hastings.

Trainer Allan Sharrock refuses to allow it to be an issue.

The Hastings 1600m barrier with its 100m run to the first bend is widely regarded as New Zealand's worst.

I Do has drawn gate number 15, which will become No13 when the emergencies come out.

Sharrock says: "You might laugh, but No15 is better than No16. It's also better than No1."

Unless a horse can clear the gates very quickly and lead, the No1 barrier at the 1600m is indeed very awkward.

Yesterday morning, Sharrock had a long telephone conversation with rider Opie Bosson after which both were relaxed about tomorrow's race.

"It's the second-last race and the track will be cut up on the inside by then. We are forecast to get some rain, so perhaps we're in exactly the right spot.

"I might be putting a positive spin on a negative, but I'm very comfortable."

So, it seems, are punters -- the TAB opened up I Do at $4 and punters climbed on board to the extent the price was pared back to $3.40 and there is no end to support in sight.

I Do has rolled together a 12111 formline and Sharrock says the mare has continued to do everything absolutely right.

"Her work on Tuesday was exceptional and she has had a perfect preparation. It's freakish how she just keeps backing up.

"She's just a lovely racehorse and will always give her best. The other good thing is the pressure is off -- she has won her group one last start. This one's a bonus."

There were some promising runs behind I Do in the Makfi Challenge, most of them finishing on late, but none looked likely to pick her up.

One who has the ability to topple I Do is Sacred Star, who on the surface was a disappointing 10th in the Makfi, although only 2.2 lengths away.

He pulled up big in condition and is likely to be much fitter this time.

"Even allowing for that he was fractionally disappointing and it will be interesting to see if he can improve sufficiently," said trainer Tony Pike.

Regular stable rider Leith Innes is contracted to ride horses owned by the Lindsay family and is required for Zonza in tomorrow's feature.

Zonza's trainer Roger James is seeking a group one double with his classy mare Silent Achiever, favourite for the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield tomorrow.

Vinny Colgan will ride Sacred Star. Shuka and Nashville are improvers and Pussy O'Reilly has several times shown how underrated she is.

Punting pointers

Best: Ginner Hart (R9, Hastings). Has made this meeting his own. Unbeaten fresh from a spell and four times a winner from five Hastings runs.

Better this time: Chambord (R7, Hastings). Flashed home into second when resuming. Provided the rain stays away should go one better.

Value: Tiger Moss (R6, Te Aroha). Forgive anything beaten on the Sept 6 Ellerslie footing. Impressive before that.