Racing: Quest can take Thames Cup

Civics Rock (centre) and Statham (top) fight out the Newmarket Handicap at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Quest's form on paper wouldn't thrill anyone, but don't be surprised if she wins today's Thames Cup.

The Matamata mare is much more talented than her two efforts so far this preparation would indicate, but the short courses of those two races have been the reason and she will parade fit enough and over 2000m today.

Any one of her three consecutive wins last autumn would be good enough to win this race.

Travel Wise, High Roller and Joey Massino are all in with chances.

Civics Rock only just managed to beat Statham (No3, R2) in the Newmarket at Ellerslie and around Thames Statham should be difficult to pull back. Speech Craft (No5) is a fresh-up specialist and Regalia (No4) has been in great form.

Bad barriers have cost La Punta (No2, R1) so far and he's copped another today. Provided luck doesn't go right against him he can still win and he will thoroughly deserve it.

Stoneleigh (No3, R3) had it won everywhere but right on the line at Rotorua last start and this race stacks up slightly better. A win is close. Speeding (No10) looked good on debut.

Denmark (No1, R4) was narrowly beaten by Xalted on this track two starts back and was then caught wide last start. He has clear topweight of 59kg, but will race handy and fight well. Cops 'N' Coyote (No3) has come solid with his form.

Cassie May (No2, R8) can scoot along in front when given the opportunity and from a close draw gets her opportunity to take another trick on the Thames track today.

Gail Temperton believes a metric mile is Just Ishi's best distance and is looking forward to hopefully proving that point today.

The Awapuni trainer will drop the lightly tried 6-year-old back in trip for the Bambry's Water Treadmill Woodville Pahiatua Cup in which the gelding will also benefit from the two kilo claim of Jess Shackleton.

"He's got a very light weight in a strong field and at this stage of his career I think he is better at 1600m than 2000m," Temperton said.

Former Group One winner Fritzy Boy tops the handicap and while his best days may be behind him, his run for third in the Group 3 Manawatu Challenge Stakes was full of merit.

- additional reporting NZ Racing Desk