Racing: Proven Cup contenders to show class in dash for cash

Tonight's Pacific Sheet & Coil Auckland Cup is shaping up as a battle between the established Cup stars.

Wellington Cup winner Riddle Man, from the Ben Craik Drury kennels, will match paws with New Zealand Cup winner Rockabye Lad, from the powerful Dave and Jean Fahey kennels, as they chase down the thick end of the $120,000 stake at Manukau Stadium.

Riddle Man has been in sublime form on his home track, with his only glitch over tonight's 527m trip coming two races ago when he finished fourth.

But Craik says that defeat can be explained.

"He lost skin from his pads on that day and it has been a battle to keep his fitness up. It worked out okay last Thursday [heat win] and I'm confident he will be ready for the final.

"I have major concerns about his draw [6] as he won't get away with the tactics that won him the Wellington Cup in this field."

On that occasion, Riddle Man started from trap 5 from where he missed the jump, ducked down to the rail and powered through underneath the entire field to win in sensational style.

Craik believes he must bounce straight on to the pace, just as he did from the same draw last week which enabled him to deliver his 30.37s win.

Rockabye Lad is a renowned railer - a fact confirmed when he delivered his November New Zealand Cup victory. He's a different dog when racing on top of the bunny - as seen in his dashing 30.38s heat win last Thursday.

"That's where we want to be with him," said Dave Fahey yesterday.

"He loves the rail and I expect him to put himself into the race from there. He has the strength to lead them throughout. He's ready for a bold race."

The Faheys have a pair of potent back-up contenders in Winsome Uno and Winsome Merc.

Winsome Uno was the fastest Cup qualifier after delivering a dashing 30.24s win. She's strong at the business end of her races, as seen in her last four successive victories.

"She will need some early racing luck but, if she secures any sort of a clear passage, she will have the last lunge at them," said Fahey.

The Huntly-based David Schofield camp are quietly confident about the chances of Appointed Thyme, while their eyes will also be focused on

Fancy Shelly who will start from trap 7.

Appointed Thyme (2) has drawn to secure an economical early passage as the trainer's father, Denis, confirms.

"That box will suit her ideally. She will go a race from there.

"We're also thrilled that Micro Benny made it through, while Fancy Shelly will be right in this."

The concern the camp has about Fancy Shelly is the presence of Turbine Bale in the widest box.

Canterbury trainer Diana Roberts' NZ Derby winner has always shown the trait of crashing straight down towards the rail.