Racing: Jimmy Choux can handle the break

John Bary. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today

Trainer John Bary has been worrying about Jimmy Choux all week for today's $70,000 Phil Cataldo Wellington Stakes (race 6) at Trentham, but it's probably just pre-race nerves.

The Hastings horseman is concerned he hasn't worked Jimmy Choux quite hard enough to offset a four-week absence from racing.

That might be important early in a preparation, but Jimmy Choux has had sufficient hard racing this campaign to almost guarantee enough tough conditioning to get through today.

And in the absence of a slight lack of fitness he should be able to win. Particularly with rival trainer Roger James convinced highly talented He's Remarkable will find the 1600m a touch short.

He's Remarkable will be steaming home late and it's a matter of whether the winning post comes up too soon for him.

Jimmy Choux has a stunning sprint at the end of his races and that should be sufficient to get him home. Jetset Lad and Starcheeka look horses for the multiple tickets.

Stellaphyta (No12, R1) and Taken (No3) are a couple of maidens that looked good finishing strongly to be not far away on debut. This is a race that should suit. Both have good barriers here so watch for them to be getting home strongly. Taken each way if he's around the $5 would be a good bet, but put Stellaphyta in multiples, or have a saver on her.

Race 2 is very difficult, but don't be surprised if Merrymaker (No5) puts in, particularly if the track is dead. He is capable of running good races and is improved for his first-up third at Ellerslie. Plenty of other chances, but there was a bit to like about the way Princess Holly (No8) finished off at Hastings last start.

Race 3, the juvenile, could be a trap. With the Karaka Million a week away, the leading lights were never going to be here and the race has an even look about it. Distill (No2) really impressed getting to the line strongly to win on debut at Taranaki, but he has drawn wide here and might need luck. If he gets it he can probably beat most of these on his first run.

The Ellerslie dead-heaters Ready Steady (No10) and Savannah Dancer (No11) are going to get their opportunities from the two inside barriers.

If Mill Duckie (No7, R5) wins the weight-for-age Trentham Stakes there won't be a more deserving winner all day. As a back runner she can suffer from bad luck and that was the case when she covered a huge amount of extra ground in the Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie. Her third was massive and the small field here will be a big assist. Veloce Bella (No6) looks the biggest threat.

There was no greater certainty beaten at Manawatu last week than Not Tonite (No5, R7). Despite the fact King Raedwald (No11) is going to take plenty of beating, he's worth an each-way ticket. Play around with these two in all bet types and throw in Sharp Princess (No3) as well.

Fazzle (No2, R8) is a mare with enormous potential and she was fabulous winning with a great late dash at Ellerslie last start. Walk Away (No8) is another with huge ability and although he is better over more distance he's nice and fresh and will run a big 1400m.

Few are currently riding better than his jockey Chad Ormsby. There are plenty of main hopes here, but these two will be competitive.

Let's hope the 10mm of irrigation the Wellington Racing Club applied to the track Thursday night - taking it to a dead 6 - does not come back to haunt them when combined with the drizzle that was predicted from early in the week. It is not going to worry the three Australians in terms of conditions, but conversely it will have the potential to make it a tough race and Swift Alliance (No1, R9) and First Command (No2) are just 1200m horses. The 1200m is at the top end of their scale and a battle through water-affected ground is not what they need. So, here's hoping the WRC got it right.

Despite theories that you need to be a 1400m horse to win the Telegraph, Swift Alliance and First Command are going to be hard to beat. The simple matter is they're better than the rest of this field. They're tough, they can carry weight and they've been racing against better horses than this. If the weather and or the track conditions works against on-speed runners they will probably be in trouble and there are eight prior races to work that pattern out.

If that's the case New Zealand filly Twilight Savings (No18) and the third Australian Monton (No9) come right into it. The 51kg Twilight Savings has could be the key to the race. Include her in all bet types. Katie Lee (No11) will need a firm track to be any chance.

I'm A King (No6, R10) is good at best and his last two runs showed he's right at the top of his game. He chased home Our Ella Belle last start and she'd win this easily. Tanha Strike (No4) had no luck last time.

At Pukekohe, the Alegrio (No6, R6) and Passchendaele (No5) quinella in the big race looks a decent chance. Few stayers race well at less than a middle distance at their second start back from a break, but Passchendaele might be an exception. The big, roomy Pukekohe track is going to suit her racing style.

Raffles Knight (No10, R9) looks the best bet on the programme.