Racing: Miss Potential top NZ chance

Miss Potential lines up in the Doomben 10,000 today. Picture / Hawke's Bay Today

Miss Potential spearheads a strong New Zealand assault at Doomben in Brisbane today with Chris Johnson in the saddle.

Trainer Bill Borrie has engaged Johnson, one of New Zealand's top jockeys who returned to riding last August after a seven-year break, taking advantage of Levin trainer Peter McKenzie contracting his services for Empyreal and Sculptor at the same meeting.

While that is a plus for Borrie in the absence of the suspended Reese Jones, the Waikato trainer has a niggling doubt about her leading into the A$650,000 ($782,000) Doomben 10,000.

Miss Potential knocked a pastern in last Saturday's BTC Sprint, in which she finished 16th, but Borrie said she had recovered.

"The swelling has disappeared and I'm more than happy with her leg, but she's not quite 100 per cent right and I just can't put my finger on what is wrong," Borrie said.

"It's an intuitive thing and hopefully we can sort it out."

Borrie said Miss Potential worked well at the Gold Coast over 1000m on Thursday and he was pleased with her work.

She was knocked out of contention in the BTC Sprint in two skirmishes in the straight, though she would not have figured in the major placings.

Borrie said the 7-year-old had taken longer to reach good form this campaign because of her age, but today's group one over 1350m is her major target and he is hoping for a return to her best.

Fortune has favoured him in the draw, with barrier four in the 19-horse field.

From such a draw, she would normally be expected to bounce to the front and dictate the race, but Borrie is wary of several frontrunners, including All Bar None, Virage De Fortune and Volitant.

"If we are not careful it could turn into a cut-throat duel," Borrie said.

"I will have a natter to Chris [Johnson] and see what he thinks. She has taken a sit in the past so we might do that, but we need to talk through it and I will be guided by what Chris has to say."

Borrie appreciates Johnson's skill.

The two horsemen had a good association with Richfield Destiny, whom Borrie raced out of Peter Williams' stable. She won a listed stakes race.

Another fan of Johnson's is McKenzie, but he will need all the Cantabrian's skills if he is to be successful with Sculptor in the Rough Habit Plate and Empyreal in the Premier's Cup.

Sculptor has drawn wide in the 2020m plate with barrier 17, but has been working into good form in New Zealand.

Among his opponents is the Graeme Rogerson-trained Roman Chariot who races as Our Roman Chariot in Australia. Michael Rodd has the ride on Roman Chariot.

Empyreal has also fared badly at the draw, with barrier 16. His rivals include the New Zealanders Bazelle, Haylee Baylee (to be ridden by Jim Byrne) and the John Wheeler-trained Pentathon, who will be ridden by Tony Pattillo.

Other New Zealanders on the Doomben card are Anca, who will be one of the main hopes in the 3-year-old Gunsynd Quality with trainer Stephen Marsh engaging top jockey Darren Beadman, and Gemstone, from the Roger James stable, in an A$50,000 two metropolitan win handicap.

Fact File

First run in 1933.

Notable winners: Black Onyx (1969-70); Baguette (1971); Manikato (1979); Chief De Beers (1995, 1998).

Back-to-back winners: Falvelon (2001-02), Prince Trialia (1990-91) and Black Onyx. Red Oog has the chance to join them today.

No 3-year-old filly has won with Fashions Afield, Virage De Fortune, La Montagna and Street Smart all vying to be the first today.

- NZPA