Racing: Red Ruler ready to hit peak at Ellerslie

Let the Ellerslie carnival begin.

And what better way to herald it in than to applaud the revival of Red Ruler's campaign and his form.

Can they really beat him in the $200,000 Zabeel Classic on Sunday?

Only the rain can.

Don't underestimate his fourth at Te Rapa on Saturday - under 62kg it was enormous. He won under 61kg at Pukekohe the start before last in his first start since the Melbourne Cup, but he did that on sheer ability.

Saturday's effort was more on grit.

To give an idea of how good the run was, the winner Alegrio is a smart, improving horse. He carried just 51.5kg, 10.5kg less than Red Ruler, who ran the last 200m faster.

Lead-up form to any race, even group one racing, just doesn't get better than that. But rain negates class. Always has, always will.

If Ellerslie presents well on Sunday, watch for something special. If not, Red Ruler could be vulnerable.

One of those Red Ruler will have to beat is Veloce Bella, who lumped her 59kg to win in a much easier contest at Te Rapa on Saturday.

It showed she was right at her peak though and she will run a tough race on Sunday.

So will last season's Mercedes Horse Of The Year Vosne Romanee, whose Captain Cook Stakes effort last start went largely unheralded.

Brisbane sprinter Funtantes has been pulled out of the $200,000 Blandford Stud Railway after her sixth in Sydney on Saturday.

"She missed a little work before she went to Sydney and she's obviously not quite right," said Brisbane trainer Robert Heathcote.

"I'll bring her home and give her a bit of a spell."

However, Sydney sprinter Monton looks a Railway definite.

There has been a truckload of money for him since his last-start Sydney victory to the point where the TAB has him at $4.50 favourite.

Monton is trained by Tim Martin, who a couple of years ago came over and ripped off the Derby at Ellerslie with Redoute's Dancer. Monton's performance to win last start was smart in that he got back and stormed to the front, in direct contrast to Australian sprinter Gold Trail, who stole this year's Railway in front.

Italian Princess is the TAB's Railway second favourite at $7 with Vonusti on $8 and Beautiful Girl at $10.

Two Te Rapa runners to follow at Ellerslie are Bone Of Contention and Mill Duckie.

Bone Of Contention is shaping up enormously for the Dunstan Final on New Year's Day and Mill Duckie will be competitive in a good field in a race like the $100,000 Rich Hill Mile.

Mill Duckie's stablemate Shantaine did what was expected of her at Manawatu on Saturday and will competitive in whatever they line her up in.