Racing: Obsession difficult to beat at Ellerslie

There was a time last season when you would have guaranteed Obsession would eventually win a stakes race.

A physical problem got in the way, but now the talented filly is back with a resurrected career.

Obsession resumed after a decent break on the middle day of the Ellerslie carnival and came within a breath of a perfect result.

With 70m to run after a home-straight challenge, Obsession looked certain to be beaten a long neck or half a length, but such is her class and determination she came back at Nina From Pasadena in the final strides and only a nose separated them.

That was a hard run, but that aside she should be very difficult to handle.

Blonde Bombshell's third to Katie Lee in the Eight Carat on Boxing Day is enough to put her right in the market in the last race at Ellerslie and Volgus is better than his form on paper reads.

Fiorano (No6, R8) has had no luck since his second to Boundless in the Counties Cup, rain then bad luck in running hampering him badly.

It's not going to be easy from the outside barrier today, but if Andrew Calder can find him a decent passage he is going to be hard to keep out in the closing stages.

The opposition is a really mixed bag and it's difficult to know where to look.

Cross Roads (No5) went well enough behind Red Ruler on the final day of the carnival to warrant consideration.

Brave Warrior (No1, R3) is probably safely in the $1 million Karaka Millions two weeks tomorrow.

He sits on position 12 in the 14-horse field with the possibility of one or two to leapfrog him, one being a rival today, Belles Fast (No5).

So although it's probably not critical, a bit of stakemoney for Brave Warrior won't go astray. He looks super talented, even if he has the physical appearance of a 3-year-old already rather than a juvenile.

He killed them on the middle day of the carnival and is going to take stopping today even from a slightly awkward barrier at the 1200m.

Plenty of chances, but if She's A Cougar (No6) gets a crack at them from out wide she can figure in the trifecta. Sirrio (No2) is a multiple must.

The very firm track on Boxing Day plus an interrupted home straight passage didn't aid Walkonby (No2, R5) last start. He's smart at best and on a track that should be more forgiving today, he can go close to getting square. The barrier is awkward, but he's worth the risk. The Skull (No1) is in great form.

The 3-year-old race is a cracker. Corporal Jones (No2, R7) looked devastating winning his second straight race in early December and looks on the way to big things.

This is a pretty big step up in class again, but don't be betting he's not a chance to do it. Nice and fresh, Our Heir Apparent (No3) might be up to running some sort of race at 1600m, even though he's a dead-set stayer. Keyora (No1) is fresh since coming away from the 2000 Guineas as the beaten favourite and goes well in that condition.

The blowout horse here is Pearl Dancer (No14). She copped a shocking run in the Eulogy Stakes last start and take no notice of her beaten run that day.

Country Dane (No10, R9) raced a bit keenly last start and did well to finish third. With that first middle dstance behind her she should race more kindly this time. The problem though is the barrier draw, which should come in from No 15 to around 10.

One of the better bets at Manawatu is Green Cash (No1, R3). He was luckless in finishing second to Martial Art at Ellerslie two starts back and would have made the "gun" horse King Raedwald work harder and may have beaten him but for being posted three wide from the 600m at Awapuni last start.

There is a lot of form in this race, but Green Cash should cope, provided he doesn't get out three wide again from his outside gate.

Saheel's (No9, R4) fourth behind Wealth Princess in the Newmarket at Ellerslie was a beaut. She finished powerfully when she finally got into the clear and from an inside gate in an easier race she looks a great each-way.

It's hard to see the wide barrier draw stopping Booming (No3, R7). You can't win a staying race more impressively than he did on this track last start and the 1.5kg he goes up is not going to make the difference.

Leica Scotch (No9) is jumping up two rating bands, but more importantly, as the veteran of only six raceday starts, he is giving away massive doses of experience. Don't let that put you off - he's very good and is about to display it.

Regal Governor (No9, R8) has come a long way quickly, but that might not stop him winning the Marton Cup. He has plenty of staying talent opposing him, but with 53kg and an inside draw he has a couple of friends.

This could be his passage into the Wellington Cup. The dangers are too many to mention, but Stand Tall (No4) is worth a mention at lengthy odds.

Scarlet Vanhara (No3, R9) and Crocadile Canyon (No6, R10) look good to finish the day off at Manawatu.