Racing: Rain could spoil feature

In horse racing you hope no one is wrong - except weather forecasters.

After a week of sublime autumn weather in Auckland the experts are saying rain for Saturday morning.

Last Saturday saw magnificent weather, but midweek rain had done its damage for the group one day at Te Aroha.

You don't get $100,903 First 4s unless there is something wrong with the track, even though the Barinka, Smoulder, Fleur de Lune and Dancing Jess wasn't impossible.

Just difficult.

If Ellerslie gets the predicted rain, the trifecta and First 4 in the $200,000 Land Pride Easter Handicap might be similarly difficult.

Barrier draws can be critical in group one races and the worst off when the fields were drawn yesterday is visiting mare Bedlum, a close fifth in last week's Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha. Bedlum has drawn gate No 24, and will start from the No 18 stall, a difficult assignment for a horse that likes to lead or trail.

In-form Veyron has come up with gate No 18 and equal topweight Vonusti No 22.

The set of colours Black Caviar carried to victory in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington will be auctioned at the Racing For Christchurch Gala Dinner charity event at Ellerslie on May 1.

The colours are signed by trainer Peter Moody and jockey Luke Nolan.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker will attend the dinner.

Trainers Dawn and Peter Williams intend defending the charge of producing third-placed Planet Rock into the $1 million Karaka Million at Ellerslie on January 31 with a prohibited substance in its system.

The hearing begins at Ellerslie at 10am today.