Racing: Poetic justice for filly

Poetic Music is one of only three winners in today's Breeders Stakes.

Poetic Music will be at least the sentimental favourite for today's $50,000 Oceanz Northland Breeders Stakes at Ruakaka.

Trainer Richard Collett had desperately wanted to win the race with the talented filly when it was scheduled for the Ruakaka meeting three weeks ago.

Owner Keith Cronin was at the time desperately ill with terminal cancer.

The race meeting was called off after a couple of races and this event was relocated to today's meeting. Cronin died 48 hours after the abandonment of the original meeting.

Although Poetic Music finished only sixth as beaten favourite behind Masquerade on this track on June 17, she is well placed to atone today.

The connections of today's runners had a reprieve when local runner Bally Duff was sold for big money earlier this week and was withdrawn from the feature.

But Collett is one of the few trainers originally not worried about Bally Duff, who had looked unlucky not to have won his only two starts.

"I wasn't concerned about him - he'd had two goes and hadn't won."

Collett knows he's on reasonably safe ground with that statement.

"I suppose I can say that now because his future racing is going to be overseas."

Poetic Music is not big but the Stravinsky filly is tough.

"I'm very happy with her," said Collett yesterday.

"Because of her size, coming back to set weights will suit her ideally."

When beaten last start in a handicap, Poetic Music carried56.5kg. This time she has 54.5kg,the same as the other fillies.

"A lot will depend on how the race is run. She's got one racing pattern - she likes to jump and run."

Masquerade started from the outside No 14 gate when she won on this track last start and had to cover a lot of extra ground.

"She was impressive winning and looks the horse we have to beat," concedes Collett.

Masquerade is trained by Stephen McKee for the Auckland Racing Club Winners Circle Syndicate, managed by ARC director Brent Taylor.

With no Bally Duff, the field looks particularly even - plenty of emerging talent, but not a lot of experience.

Poetic Music and the only male in the line-up, Lightning Leo, have the most experience with six starts each and none of their rivals have raced more than twice.

Locally-trained Champagne Rose looked talented when she got home strongly to push Masquerade to a long neck and has probably gained a lot in terms of experience with that effort.

Chances are they will run this at a fair clip and the back runners should get a reasonable chance to run at the leaders late.

Lightning Leo should be able to use his ringcraft. He came back from a break with a fast-closing second to Queen Sabeel at Te Rapa last start.

Queen Sabeel showed plenty of heart to stick on and win after being in front a long way out. She is in with a great chance of repeating the victory.

Posh Bec stormed home for an eye-catching win on debut at Tauranga.

But that was on a heavy surface and it remains to be seen what she's like on the better footing which seems certain on the sand-based Ruakaka track.

$50,000 STAKES

* Poetic Music will be the sentimental favourite to win the $50,000 Oceanz Breeders Stakes at Ruakaka today after the recent death of her owner.

* The filly was beaten favourite on this track last start, but trainer Richard Collett expects a better run.

* He rates the winner that day, Masquerade, the horse to beat.