By MIKE DILLON
David Ellis could be going for a world record at Hastings tomorrow.
It is doubtful any trainer anywhere has landed a group one victory with their first training success.
Ellis is a reasonable chance to achieve that with Integrate in the $250,000 Kelt Capital Stakes.
If Ellis achieves his Olympic gold medal, it will be because his trainer Mark Walker lost his licence for three months for making false statements over the eligibility of one of his horses to start in a jumpers' flat event in May.
Integrate gets her chance at group one level with the absence of star galloper Cent Home.
Cent Home has been spelled after failing to throw off the effects of a muscular problem which hit after after his brilliant first-up Mudgway Partsworld Stakes at Hastings.
Integrate finished fourth in that race, coming from a long way back in what was a sit-and-sprint scenario. She similarly made ground from the tail to finish fourth to The Message in the 1600m Hawkes Bay Challenge Stakes.
"She had definitely improved since she last raced," said Ellis of Integrate's fitness.
The further increase in distance to 2040m will be in the classy mare's favour.
Her form over distances beyond 1600m at the Queensland winter carnival was exceptional.
Even allowing a soft lead was central to the result, The Message was hugely impressive winning the Hawkes Bay Challenge Stakes, with rider Linda Ballantyne not having to really ask the horse for a gutbusting effort.
There is no other natural leader in the race again and while the opposition riders will be wary of leaving The Message alone in front, he may not be run ragged.
A top effort here would assure The Message of a trip to Melbourne for the Caulfield Cup or Cox Plate.
Cinder Bella deserves a win after being luckless when sixth in the Mudgway Partsworld then chasing The Message home in the Challenge Stakes.
Trainer Karen Zimmerman has always believed the mare's future lay at distances around 2000m.
Aerosmith is a realistic winning chance and northern mare Zespri Gold looks to be the upsetter.
Two smart improvers in Our Mr Bowie and Kaapeon can carve up a decent slice of the stakemoney in the second leg of the TAB double, the Kelt Memorial.
Both are resuming from spells and it would pay to take little notice of the fact Our Mr Bowie was unplaced at the recent Foxton trials. His fresh-up winning record is three victories from five attempts.
Kaapeon similarly goes well fresh from a spell and won well at the Wanganui trials, although he has an awkward barrier draw to overcome.
Racing: Integrate could give gold to rookie
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