Racing: Queensland trial for duo

John Sargent is looking for a ray of sunshine from Tickle and Sheka on the racetrack tomorrow.

Queensland sunshine. Both mares are booked on a flight to the Queensland winter carnival and Sargent needs to see some form, particularly from Sheka at Tauranga.

She turned in a shocker when only ninth as beaten favourite at Ellerslie last start. Sheka had turned in a blinder for second to Mr Multiwin on an unsuitable firm track when resuming from a break two starts back then looked to have her favourite rain-affected footing when beaten last start.

"I've got no idea what happened to her. Noel [Harris] said she was cruising coming to the home bend then produced nothing.

"She'll need to be showing something this time if she's still to go to Queensland." Sheka faces smart types in Farm Hills and Sista.

Sargent has talented mare Tickle in the $40,000 Windsor Park Manawatu Breeders Stakes at Awapuni.

After two runs over shorter distances the 2000m this time will suit Tickle, who did well to finish seventh to Calveen in the Easter Handicap at Ellerslie.

"The reason I'm running her in this instead of the Awapuni Gold Cup for twice the money next week is that it fits in better with her Australian programme. Two weeks after this she races in the Lord Mayor's Cup and two weeks after that again is the Prime Minister's Cup."

Tickle faces smart types in Dowry, Hootandance and the rapidly improving Madam Shinko.