Racing: Must-win assignment for Danz Star

Tim Carter is labelled urgent with Danz Star at Ellerslie tomorrow.

Carter reasons Danz Star needs a win to sneak into the field for the A$150,000 Winter Championship (1600m) at Flemington on July 8.

The Cambridge trainer waived the option to travel to Melbourne early to run in a qualifying race in the series because the event was over 1400m.

"I don't think he would have been competitive over there at 1400m unless the track was a bog," he said.

Carter believes Danz Star has to win tomorrow to make the July 8 field.

"I might ring the Australian handicapper on Monday to get a bit of an indication.

"We'll know for sure on July 1 if we've made the field, but that will mean flying over the next day."

The wide, lengthy expanses of Flemington are ideal for Danz Star.

The accomplished winter galloper was run down late by talented Ring Of Fire at Ellerslie last start after looking certain to win for much of the home straight.

"Mickey [Coleman] said he probably should have won, but he got left in front a bit too soon when Surpriser Phew bled and dropped out.

"He started to loaf in front halfway down the straight and Mickey said the other horse had him before he could get Danz Star rolling again."

It was a particularly strong effort on the part of Ring Of Fire and in his absence this time Danz Star should go close.

The danger looks to be Woodbury Lane, who has been in top form against strong fields in the lower North Island lately.

Woodbury Lane's racing has been left-handed and there has to be a slight question over switching to right-handed Ellerslie. He should be very competitive though on his placings behind Bulginbaah and Banchiere in his last three starts.

It will be a top effort if he can get the win because he traditionally drops back in running.

It will mean he is likely to be giving Danz Star a good start at the 350m, which will require a decent finish on his part.

Leica Guv might soon be looking for a distance beyond 1600m, but the track will be very testing which will help his staying powers.

The 3kg he is required to concede to Danz Star will make his job difficult.

Leica Guv has been slow away in his two starts this preparation, but he is capable of racing handier, which would assist his cause.

All's Well looks the only danger to the above trio.

He is a quality galloper at best, but fair is the only description of his effort to finish fifth, 7.5 lengths behind Ring Of Fire and Danz Star here two weeks ago. It was only his third start back this preparation and some might want to take one more chance on his known class.