Racing: Rain would help in Cup chase

Pukekohe trainer Derek Balle warns punters to follow their money at Stratford tomorrow after Monarch Of The Glen failed to return a dividend in yesterday's Wanganui Cup.

Monarch Of The Glen - a noted grass track specialist with four wins on such a surface - started a warm favourite in the Wanganui feature, but could only finish seventh - 6.9 lengths from winner Ted E Bear.

The In The Pocket five-year-old settled at the rear of the main bunch, after starting from a 30m handicap, was forced very wide on the home turn when making his run.

Balle last night confirmed Monarch Of The Glen would back up in the $8000 Stratford Cup.

"I thought he ran home all right in the Wanganui Cup," Balle said.

"He doesn't mind backing up, so he'll go up to Stratford and it wouldn't surprise me if he got some of the money."

Balle said Monarch Of The Glen would appreciate any easing in track conditions after racing on a hard and fast track at Wanganui.

"I'm hoping for a drop of rain. Wetter the better for him as it helps him make up his handicap."

The testing uphill home straight of Stratford's Te Kapua Park grass track would also suit the horse.

Monarch Of The Glen will start from the a 30m handicap tomorrow with promising reinsman Scott Phelan in the sulky.

The Stratford Cup has drawn a capacity field and the main dangers to Monarch Of The Glen are likely to be Wanganui Cup all-the-way winner Ted E Bear and the runner-up Enunciator.

Ted E Bear is as consistent as they come and his latest victory followed a string of placings.

Enunciator finished strongly in the Wanganui Cup and a repeat of that effort would see him hard to beat at Stratford.

- NZPA