Racing: Lion Tamer may head to Randwick

Lion Tamer asserts his class in the Champagne Stakes at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo / Supplied

A decision will be made tonight on whether Lion Tamer tackles Saturday's A$300,000 Champagne Stakes at Randwick.

The handsome Cambridge colt looked in another class to the opposition when he won the New Zealand version of the Champagne at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Lion Tamer looks capable of winning major staying races as a 3-year-old if he can keep his concentration where it needs to be - on the racetrack.

It seems to be wandering between there and amorous regions.

Rider Michael Coleman said the colt only half-concentrated on what was required of him before sweeping past most of the field in the Ellerslie home straight on Saturday.

"He didn't give me a great feel even going to the start.

"And he wanted to jack up going into the gates."

Coleman was niggling at Lion Tamer on the home bend back in third-last place before he gave the colt one serious crack behind the saddle.

"He suddenly lifted into another gear."

Lion Tamer has the magnificent stride of a top-class stayer.

* Pennacchio bought herself an airline ticket to Brisbane with her stylish fresh-up win at Ellerslie on Saturday.

The Matamata mare hadn't raced since November, but paraded in magnificent condition for Andrew Scott and with just 51kg on her back she was always going to be hard to beat.

It was a timely win for Vincent Ho, who leaves today to continue his apprenticeship in his native Hong Kong after impressing in New Zealand with his potential.

He said that until his father shouted him a riding lesson in Hong Kong only a few years ago his future was in computers.

Ho is going to make an awful lot more money in a raceday saddle than he ever would have sitting in front of a keyboard.

Pennacchio is likely to earn herself a bunch of dollars in Queensland.

She handled the firm track on Saturday well and is even better with a bit of rain around, which is always a chance in Brisbane in winter.

"She's a gun little racehorse," said Scott in admiration as Ho brought the mare back.

"Like today, she's going to get right-handed tracks in Brisbane which suit her.

"She's not up to Stradbroke class, but there are plenty of nice races for her over there."

Martini Red is the big improver out of the race.

* You just couldn't believe O'Reilly Express could finish third again - his 14th such placing without managing to win a race.

To be fair to him, he had no luck, getting posted three wide, having to work to find the lead mid-race then being taken on.

He might still have won if he hadn't taken the home bend awkwardly and worked out three or four places away from the rail.

He was beaten less than one length and that win just has to come. However, he he still managed to garner about $35,500 in stakes.

* New Zealand punters know little of Rendzina, but she'd banked nearly a quarter of a million before she won Saturday's R90 1400m at only her fifth New Zealand start.

"She's well bred and she finished second in a group two race in Melbourne. Her record would be even better if she hadn't had a couple of leg issues," said her part owner and co-trainer Graeme Rogerson.

"I thought she was a good thing in this race." Rendzina impressed when fourth at Tauranga when resuming and was only 5.7 lengths off Juice at group one level at Te Aroha the previous week.