KEY POINTS:
The $150,000 Otaki-Maori weight-for-age feature on February 24 could be the scene of a titanic showdown between Group One dominators Darci Brahma and Sir Slick who won the Te Rapa features yesterday.
Sir Slick is confirmed for Otaki while Darci Brahma's team will decide late next week.
As expected, Darci Brahma recorded consecutive wins in the $150,000 Waikato Draught Sprint. It also completed back-to-back Group One wins for the showy Danehill entire following a brilliant last-start victory in the Telegraph Handicap.
However the 4-year-old was not as brilliant yesterday although he defied all challengers to score by a half-length over the fast-closing Shinzig. A further long neck away in third position was Kay's Awake.
Sir Slick was devastating in winning the $150,000 Whakanui Stud International Stakes sitting on the speed throughout and easily overpowering his rivals.
Both horses were ridden by Opie Bosson. He gave Darci Brahma a charmed run in third position throughout pouncing on the leaders in the straight. Despite having difficulties sprinting on the track, Darci Brahma lumped 59kg to victory.
A heavy shower of rain just before the race start made the track greasy.
"The rain made it a bit shifty and he didn't handle it as well as he could have," said Bosson. "But he was loafing a bit at the finish."
There is no doubting Sir Slick would test the speed and courage of Darci Brahma. Sir Slick is a ruthless front runner who specialises in running his rivals into submission.
Walker witnessed Sir Slick's stamina earlier when stable runner Maroofity battled into fourth position behind the in-form 5-year-old.
If Darci Brahma bypasses Otaki it will be because he will be heading to Sydney to contest the Group One Chipping Norton Stakes.
The unlucky runner in the Sprint was Shinzig who would have won if he had run in a straight line down the home straight. The 5-year-old's closing 200m sprint was sensational.
Sir Slick was asked to do plenty to win the Whakanui Stud International Stakes. The 5-year-old had to make the adjustment in racing distance from 1600m to 2000m and also lump a hefty 59kg.
Bosson did not bother to lead in the 2000m event as Maroofity and Desert Flight set a solid pace.
He settled Sir Slick perfectly in third position, stalking the leaders before powering to the front with 200m remaining and won by 1 1/2 lengths over the favourite Sharvasti. A short neck away third was Kingsinga.
Trainer and part-owner Graeme Nicholson has some decisions to make after the Otaki race.
The Te Aroha-based trainer has been contacted by a Hong Kong Jockey Club official about the possibility of running Sir Slick in the Queen Elizabeth Cup in April. This race is an international invitational event.
One concern for Nicholson would be that Sir Slick has never raced outside New Zealand. The facilities at Sha Tin are outstanding but do not compare to Sir Slick's favourite paddock.
Judging by the rugged racing style of Sir Slick, the gelding may not be frightened by a flight to Hong Kong.
The $125,000 Japan-New Zealand Trophy at Tauranga on March 24 is another possible option for Nicholson.
Sir Slick will attempt a possible Group One hat trick of wins when contesting the Otaki feature.
Jim Collett made the most of his one riding engagement at Te Rapa effortlessly winning the $100,000 (Group Two) Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic aboard Veloce Bella.
The long-striding filly was patiently ridden by Collett at the back of the field and they tracked the favourite, Princess Coup, four and five wide approaching the home turn.
When Collett asked Veloce Bella to sprint the response was stunning as the daughter of Volksraad powered past Princess Coup and won easing down at the finish by 1 3/4 lengths.
Princess Coup battled valiantly to finish second after mid-race interference. She was a nose clear of the fast closing Santagostino (third).
The only surprise was that punters abandoned the well-performed filly - allowing her to pay $10 a win - despite an imposing formline this season.
Veloce Bella had to overcome a wide barrier draw to win the 2000m event and the ease of the victory was clearly demonstrated by Collett's victory flourish at the finishing line.
While the leaders ruined the genuine speed of this race, there is no doubting the class and brilliance of Veloce Bella, who lengthened stride quickly at the top of the home stretch.
One runner to catch the eye was Santagostino, who made ground solidly along the inner in the home stretch, and this was a pleasing New Zealand Oaks trial for the Mark Walker-trained filly.
