Racing: Railway placegetters to provide keen clash

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Almost nothing separated Durham Town and Whosyourmaster when they met in the Railway at Ellerslie on January 1.

There is not likely to be much more between them when they face off in tomorrow's $100,000 Darley Plate at Ellerslie.

Whosyourmaster finished a close second to In Style in the Railway and Durham Town a close-up third. Whosyourmaster looked stylish flashing home late, but honours were evenly shared.

Durham Town had to work early in the race to cross the field from a wide barrier and lead.

This time, Durham Town has drawn more favourably at No 2 and Whosyourmaster is in the outside barrier, but there is only a field of nine compared with the 14 who went around in the Railway. It should be a great contest between these two.

The small field is also going to suit Trepidation, who got back and flew home in both the Railway and Telegraph at Trentham.

She can really get to the line strongly and the faster the pace in this race the better she will be suited.

Shelford was beaten favourite at Taranaki last start, but just about everything went wrong. He looks nicely placed from a decent draw.

Trainers of Whosyourmaster, Andrew Scott and Lance O'Sullivan are well-served in the 3-year-old department and they will chase feature age group titles at both North Island venues on Saturday.

The Wexford Stables duo have their Derby hopes pinned on Sound Proposition, while the last-start winners Mary Quant and Suffire give them a strong hand in the Lowland Stakes at Hastings.

Sound Proposition broke his maiden three runs back before he defeated the subsequent stakes performer Arrow In The Sand and he then finished solidly for sixth from a wide gate in the Avondale Guineas.

"There's no doubt he's a chance and we would have liked to have drawn a bit better, but you have to play the hand you're dealt," Scott said.

The stable has New Zealand Oaks ambitions for Mary Quant and Suffire and tidy performances at Hastings will confirm their participation at Trentham on March 14. "It's hard to split them, they are both in good form and condition," Scott said.

"Mary Quant is obviously bred to stay being a daughter of Legs and everything she has done indicates she wants 2000m and beyond.

"Suffire is by a son of Zabeel and her last two wins also suggest she is going to run a trip."

- Additional reporting NZ Racing Desk