KEY POINTS:
Sir Slick has a shocking formline statistic going into tomorrow's $200,000 Starcraft New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie.
New Zealand's current glamour galloper has not won in 11 starts on the country's premier racetrack.
But it won't matter, says part owner and trainer Graeme Nicholson.
"The form he's in
at the moment he'll show them it hasn't been the Ellerslie track itself that's been the problem.
"In the spring he wasn't quite fit enough and a few times the track was not as firm as he likes."
Sir Slick's last appearance at Ellerslie helps confirm Nicholson's claim - he was run down late by Dezigna and finished second in the $120,000 Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie on January 1.
It heralded a complete return to top form for the remarkable speedster, who in four starts since that race has won three times at group one level and once at group three.
He steps up here from 1600m to 2000m and before he ran in the Whakanui Stud International at Te Rapa there were plenty prepared to bet against him lasting the 2000m.
In that race he broke the hearts of those trying to chase him down from the 350m.
Drawing 10 out of 10 runners at the 2000m barrier at Ellerslie can be disastrous, but there is absolutely no other speed in the race and Opie Bosson should be able to glide Sir Slick across to the rail without burning him before the tight, rising turn out of the home straight.
Nicholson said he will be leaving tactics up to Bosson.
"I train the horse and Opie can be his rider. I don't need to be telling him how to ride."
Although he managed to win the $150,000 Otaki Maori WFA on a dead track last start, Sir Slick is very much a firm tracker.
Rain during and after Wednesday's Auckland Cup programme had the Ellerslie course at 2.7 and dead yesterday morning, but if the predicted fine weather is accurate the reading is expected to be back to good by this morning and be perfect tomorrow.
"That's if we get no rain," said ARC racing manager Andrew Castles.
"That rain we got yesterday wasn't forecast on the service we use here at the club."
Sharvasti was set the impossible task of trying to run Sir Slick down at Te Rapa and although she was still 1 lengths away at the finish, it was a brave effort.
If things do not go as well as expected for the favourite, Shar-vasti is the one that could well capitalise.
Trainer John Sargent has her on trial for the BMW in Sydney after which she will be spelled.
Dezigna is on trial for the S$3 million ($2.9 million) Singapore Cup in late May.
Sir Slick, Dezigna and Final Reality were put forward for the invitational race when entries closed on Wednesday.
The Singapore Cup is run at 2000m and Dezigna will attempt the distance for the first time tomorrow.
"We wanted to put him into the 2000m Whakanui Stud race at Te Rapa, but he missed going to Trentham after he won the Rich Hill and he needed the two runs at 1600m at Trentham to have him ready for the 2000m, which is why we've had to wait until now," said co-trainer Wayne Hillis.
Dezigna finishes his races off better than just about anything around and it will be a surprise if he is not competitive in stepping up in distance.
The rapidly improving Zilzie and last-start Matamata winner Lilakyn add further interest to what should be an intriguing contest.
So Slick
* Sir Slick is out to show there are solid reasons for his winless record in 11 starts at Ellerslie.
* Trainer Graeme Nicholson believes Sir Slick is in the right form to continue with his group one winning spree.
* Even the wide barrier, normally a real problem at the 2000m starting point at Ellerslie, should not be an issue.
* Talented and consistent mare Sharvasti is expected to again be the favourite's biggest danger.
