Racing: Kristov needs it firm

Michael Coleman

Kristov, the been-there-done-that headliner, faces new kid on the block Alonzo in Sunday's $100,000 Rich Hill Mile.

The 5.5kg weight differential is the crucial fact, but Kristov's trainer Phillip Stevens is more concerned about the track condition than carrying 58kg topweight.

Understandably, Stevens has enormous faith in Kristov's ability to win when the horse is provided with the right conditions.

You cannot come up with a horse that had a degree of consistency at the top level in recent decades to match that of Kristov.

All Stevens wants is a firm track.

"Ellerslie is his track - he grows another leg when he races there.

"He's proved he can carry the weight and that's a bonus."

Stevens has great respect for Alonzo, who sat three wide and still stormed ahead in the closing stages in much lesser company on the opening day of the carnival on Boxing Day.

"That was pretty impressive. He has to be a danger, but you can make a case for half a dozen others.

"Cog Hill finished a nice second to Kristov at Manawatu and he will take a fair bit of improvement out of that race.

"Cog Hill has drawn wide though where we have drawn No 8 and will start from No 7 if the emergencies come out."

Alonzo also needs good footing. After early rain on Boxing Day, the affected footing prevented any number of horses on the programme, but Alonzo was lucky that he was engaged in the last race when the footing had dried noticeably.

Lisa Cropp rode Kristov perfectly at Manawatu and retains the ride and Michael Coleman will once again be on Alonzo.

For most races the barrier positions at the 1600m at Ellerslie are nowhere near as important as for the 1200m and 1400m starting points, but in major races that contain plenty of chances they are an inconvenience.

Alonzo has gate No 16 so that is another concern for punters who want to support him.