By MIKE DILLON
It might be a tricky job, but the champagne payoff will be worth it for Mark Sweeney.
Sweeney has the task of finding the right path through the field in the home straight for smart filly Singalong in today's $35,000 Lanvin Champagne Stakes at Ellerslie.
Singalong has shown a tendency to be at her best when allowed to relax and storm home at the leaders late which, in a large field of babies containing inexperienced runners, provides Sweeney with a task.
He will have to negotiate a path, probably close to the rail from barrier draw No 3.
While it will have a bit of give in it, the Ellerslie tack today is firmer than you would expect for any winter meeting.
It will probably come up officially easy, but ARC officials say it will provide excellent footing.
Singalong has the experience to be a real threat. She will be tough and hard after a dour race in the stakes field at Avondale then a follow-up Hastings outing. In a line-up for which you could make a case for seven or eight runners, Serevi looks a real trifecta chance and Senor Luro could be the value.
Little Bro (No 6, R5) looks the pick in the Racing Ministers' Hurdles. The firmish footing will perfectly suit his free-running style and punters can get back what they lost whe he failed completely to manage the very heavy track at Te Rapa last week. Zace (No 2) and Kings Court (No 5) suit for the trifecta.
Give Airfield (No 6, R1) an each-way chance. He likes Ellerslie and there is only a small field. Gold Moon (No 3) is better than he showed last start.
Although he would probably prefer wetter conditions, Reb's Shu (No 4, R2) looks the one in the steeplechase. He was travelling okay in the lead when he lost Paul Fitzgerald at Te Rapa last week and this looks within his capabilities.
Kat Ballou (No 1, R3) deserves a win. She has not had a lot of luck and although the barrier draw has done her no favours, she is in the right form to finally leave maidens.
One of the better value bets is Say No, (No 9, R4). From a wide barrier she got back and was forced wide at Te Rapa last start when neither was a good option. From No 4 this time it could be a different story. Enzo Magic (No 3) is another who can improve on last start.
Scheherezade (No 5, R6) is a rapidly improving mare. This is a better field than she has been meeting, but she can race handy speed and kicks strongly to the line. From No 3 she should get the perfect trip. Watch for an improved run from Footbridge Lad (No 3).
In what could be a tricky TAB double, Vyner's Lane (No 8, R8) and Dollars 'N Gold (No 1, R9) look strong chances. Dollars 'N Gold is close to a win and will appreciate a 3kg claim today.
The best bet on Doomben Cup day in Brisbane is Falvalon in the $A500,000 Treasury Casino 10,000. You had to see the ease of his last-start Doomben win to believe it and his connections said he would improve with the race. From the No 2 gate this time he is going to take just as much pulling back.
Racing: Making way through field of inexperience
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