Racing: King Of Ashford in regal form

Karen Zimmerman doesn't know why, but King Of Ashford has suddenly improved dramatically.

The Otaki trainer is hoping that improvement is sufficient to win tomorrow's $100,000 Davmet Hawkes Bay Gold Cup.

King Of Ashford's latest form has suggested a peak performance for this race and Zimmerman says the horse has improved even further since he last raced.

After winning over 1600m at Trentham two starts back King Of Ashford tackled weight-for-age racing at Awapuni and finished less than two lengths from winner Tusker in fifth place after tailing the field and being the widest on the home bend.

"Don't know why, but his work this week has been better - the best of this preparation," Zimmerman said.

The Awapuni race was over 2000m and although King Of Ashford is best known as a metric miler, Zimmerman has always believed good strong middle distance racing would bring out the best in the talented gelding.

"This 2200m will be no problem to him and he'll go even further," said Zimmerman.

"I'm looking at 2400m for him and I'd like to have him in the Sandown Classic on the final day of the Melbourne spring carnival later this year."

King Of Ashford is a relaxed type who should sit comfortably until asked to move by his rider Lisa Cropp.

He has 56.5kg to carry, 4kg more than the bottom of the handicap, but he is a big, strong type who should shoulder it well.

If Zimmerman has one thought on King Of Ashford's improvement it is the easing of track conditions.

"There's no doubt the footing has been easier on his legs with the recent rain."

The Hastings track on Tuesday was rated as 3.2 and showers around Hawkes Bay have taken it out as far as 3.7.

Hawkes Bay Racing's manager John McGifford said a fine day on Wednesday helped dry the track and with a good forecast he expected the footing to be somewhere around 2.8 for tomorrow.

"I'm happy, that type of track will suit him perfectly," says Zimmerman.

Less happy will be Jim Gibbs, trainer of Kerry O'Reilly, who needs firm footing to produce his absolute best.

"I talked it over with the owners earlier in the week and they thought perhaps we shouldn't run on a track worse than 3.0, but it's his last race for the season.

"He's got nowhere to hide and he'll run provided the track is reasonable," Gibbs said.

Kerry O'Reilly looked good finishing second to Tusker at weight-for-age at Awapuni last start.

He loomed up large to win that race in the home straight and was beaten by the zip-sprint produced by Tusker.

The Cambridge mare cleared a home-straight pocket very late and as many horses do in such circumstances she sprinted exceptionally quickly, giving Kerry O'Reilly little chance to fight back.

If the footing is decent, this race will better suit Kerry O'Reilly.

The often underrated Madam Shinko caught the eye finishing well into fourth behind Haylee Baylee over 2000m at Awapuni last week, pointing to this week's 2200.

She has had one start at 2200m for a win and at 53.5kg in the handicap, the weight she receives from the likes of Kerry O'Reilly and King Of Ashford could prove crucial.

Pacific Dancer is a mystery horse in the race.

He has enormous ability, but his form this season has been patchy. 

 
Coronation Day?

* King Of Ashford appears to be coming to his best form at the right time for the last of the season's major handicaps.
* Trainer Karen Zimmerman believes one of the reasons is the slight easing of the tracks.
* She expects King Of Ashford's first attempt at 2200m to suit him perfectly.
* One of the favourites Kerry O'Reilly, will need a track close to a rating of good to produce his absolute best.