Racing: Shikoba commands respect from rivals

Shikoba beating Pulcinella at Ellerslie. Picture / Greg Bowker

Trainer Gary Vile has a big opinion of his classy filly Out Of Align, but he is deliberately avoiding arriving at Te Rapa in a bullish frame of mind.

The reason is respect - his respect for Matamata filly Shikoba.

Vile believes he has a solid shout at taking out the $100,000 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Classic with Out Of Align after the filly's dashing long neck, nose victory over Legs and Pulcinella in the Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham last start.

But he is genuinely apprehensive of meeting Shikoba. The last time they met over 1600m at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, Shikoba won and Out Of Align was 2 lengths away in fifth.

This time the 2000m will equally suit Out Of Align.

"I can't go into this race bullish," says Vile. "I think she's up to them, but whether she's up to them at 2000m only time will tell."

Shikoba has not raced since taking out the fillies' double on the major days at the Ellerslie carnival.

She has had a relatively lengthy campaign, but has answered every call for Mark Walker.

"She looks as good as she's ever looked," said Walker yesterday.

In which case she is definitely the one they all have to beat.

Pulcinella was beaten by Shikoba in those races at Ellerslie, but there is probably not as much between the pair as those results suggest.

Pulcinella flashed home late to be a neck away on the first day and a week later did not back up as well physically as Shikoba, who actually took some benefit out of the first run.

An inside barrier cost Pulcinella dearly in the Desert Gold at Trentham where she had to come out of the trail as early as the 500m to avoid the heels of a tiring leader and it left her vulnerable to challengers in the closing stages.

Trentham tends to throw horses into the running rail from the 400m and inside barrier can often be a disadvantage whereas Te Rapa generally sees the fields fanning out, particularly in middle distance races.

"I'm just hoping Noel [Harris] can find her a nice sit somewhere," said trainer Don Sellwood, "and that he can come out a lot later than he had to at Trentham."

Compared to her opposition, Everswindell's formline looks moderate, but she needs only a change of luck to be right in the picture.

The TAB's Final Field betting yesterday: $3.25 Shikoba, $5 Out Of Align, $5.50 Pulcinella, $7.50 Everswindell, $13 Promethean.