Racing: Katie Lee ready for toughest test

Waikato horsewoman Debbie Rogerson is excited.

She says she'll become even more excited this afternoon if her outstanding filly Katie Lee draws a good barrier for Saturday's $2.2 million Telecom New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie.

Most see the Derby as a match race between the other hot filly Zarzuela and Corporal Jones, who chased Zarzuela home in the Championship Stakes last Saturday week.

But Katie Lee is the one who could change the dynamic away from a match race scenario.

A good barrier would almost certainly be critical to that happening.

Debbie Rogerson says good gates at the start have impacted significantly on Katie Lee's already remarkable Filly Of The Year series win.

"The only time she has drawn a good gate was when she won both days at Riccarton [1000 Guineas and 2000 Guineas] and at Te Rapa the other day [Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic].

"Almost every other start she's had, she's drawn outside No 11."

Rogerson says she hasn't been focusing on the question of the 2400m Derby distance, simply how Katie Lee has come through a series of what have been relatively tough races for her.

"You never know until they run it, but I'm not greatly concerned about the 2400m.

"I thought she ran out the 2000m very strongly at Te Rapa the other day and although this is 400m further and therefore new to her, it's new to pretty much all of them, really.

"I can't come up with a reason why she won't run it."

Statistics are on Rogerson's side here. Horses who look vulnerable to middle distances often excel against their own age at three years when later in their career their stamina index reduces significantly.

Particularly if they've got plenty of class and bottomless guts, and Katie Lee has large quantities of both.

Rogerson was interested to note that as of yesterday only 16 runners remained in the Derby, when the conditions allow 18 runners.

The 16 is perhaps a little surprising given the stunning stakemoney level.

A further payment of $18,000 final acceptance is due today and Rogerson says that may tell a few further stories.

The $18,000 is clearly the reason there have been dropouts.

"That's a lot of money if a horse doesn't appear to have a chance."

Softening the final acceptance fee is the $14,000 starters' rebate paid to horses finishing from sixth to last place.

Rogerson says the stable has stepped up the work slightly on Katie Lee because of the 2400m trip and the certainty of a tough race.

"She's done the work - she galloped this morning.

"She's continued her work in the water-walker and goes for long walks.

"It must be doing her some good because she's bucking her heels off in the afternoon in her box."

Katie Lee is rated a $7 chance behind Zarzuela at $2.20, Corporal Jones at $5.50 and Victoria Derby winner Monaco Consul at $6.

Hong Kong-based Australian jockey Zac Purton arrives in New Zealand on Friday morning to partner Corporal Jones in the Derby.

Purton has not ridden Ellerslie but will get plenty of help - Lance O'Sullivan will walk the track and provide advice on Friday afternoon.