Racing: Looking further than a Mile

More than just the prizemoney hangs on the result of the feature mile at Ellerslie tomorrow for some of its main contenders, with the need to scale the order of entry for the Thorndon Mile on January 28 becoming all the more pressing.

Both Orpington and Atapi now carry a rating of 94, meaning there are 19 nominated horses carrying higher ratings than them, plus Sapphire Belle, who is exempt from the ballot after winning the Couplands Cup at Timaru late last year.

At their last starts Atapi and Orpington finished sixth and seventh respectively in the Rich Hill Mile, underlining that they will both be competitive in the Thorndon Mile should they make the field.

"He's done really well since the Rich Hill Mile," said Atapi's trainer, Richard Otto. "I realise he's on the border for the Thorndon so it would be nice if he could go well on Saturday and move up in the ratings.

"The long-term goal for him is the Doncaster."

Atapi would be a good candidate for the unluckiest horse in racing.

The beautifully bred son of Last Tycoon and former outstanding South Australian filly Pride of Ingenue may have had a stallion career in the offing had he been able to place at group one level as a 2- or 3-year-old.

As it was, he ran fourth in both the Ellerslie and Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes, in the former of which he was unlucky not to be promoted, and was gelded as a 3-year-old.

Last year Atapi regained his best form in Queensland, placing in the Grand Prix (G2) and winning the Sunshine Coast Guineas (listed). Although the latter win was on a heavy track, Otto is adamant Atapi needs better conditions to show his best.

"He's got a hell of a turn of foot and is at his best on good ground," said Otto.

"I always thought he would be at his best in the fourth or fifth run of his campaign (tomorrow's run will be his fourth) so he should go a good race on Saturday."

In the Rich Hill Mile, Atapi made excellent ground from the rear for sixth, unofficially running the third-fastest final 600m in the race, despite having to change ground early in the home straight and racing in the worst part of the track.

Finishing one place behind him was Orpington, who appeared a little disappointing after seemingly enjoying a good run handy to the pace.

But co-trainer Finbarr Leahy believes the tempo of the race was against Orpington.

"In hindsight we probably went too forward with him," said Leahy.

"The pace of the race was very strong and we would have been better off taking more of a sit. For a race like the Thorndon he'd need to improve a length or two - you'd want to be going into it in good form.

"His work this week has been really good and looking at the field for Saturday, he should go close."

On paper the main opposition for Atapi and Orpington would appear to come from a horse who beat them home in the Rich Hill Mile.

Shinko Prince ran some brilliant finishing sectionals to run fifth on that occasion but has returned similarly strong ratings in top fields previously and not been able to replicate that level of performance in lesser races.

In those circumstances, Shinko Bay, who forced the torrid pace in the Rich Hill Mile and may get an uncontested lead this time, could be the hardest for the fancies to beat.

Another in with a shout if conditions suit is Dubai Traveller, who ran second last start.