Racing: Smoother ride likely this time

Lance O'Sullivan wants to forget the group-one Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes.

His smart filly, Crepe De Chine, finished seventh in that race and O'Sullivan simply wants to put the experience behind him.

The only point he will make is that her likely performance in today's $30,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Stakes at Avondale should not be judged on that last-start performance.

Crepe De Chine, under Lisa Cropp, led eventual winner Kindacross up to the home turn before weakening out at Manawatu. The official stipendiary stewards' report said the filly tended to lug away from the running rail.

"I ride her in much of her work and she's trained left-handed here at Matamata, the same way around as Manawatu, she's never hung for me."

The right-handed Avondale track should similarly be no problem, as Crepe De Chine's two wins have been that way around at Ellerslie and Te Aroha.

O'Sullivan rode the filly in work yesterday morning and declared her fit and well for the race.

The No4 barrier draw should present Crepe De Chine with the perfect opportunity to either lead or trail the speed.

Thomas Russell, unbeaten in two rides on the filly, replaces Cropp.

Missy Elliot had the opposite problem to Crepe De Chine in the Manawatu Sires Produce. She drew wide and rider Trudy Thornton had little option but to drop her back to the tail. She did reasonably well to be only 3 1/2 lengths away from Kindacross in 7th place and looms as a threat here against her own sex.

Missy Elliot will certainly better appreciate the inside barrier draw this time.

Vegas Showgirl is entitled to respect after her fourth in the Manawatu Sires. She had a nice trip behind the leaders throughout and fought doggedly right to the finish.

The in-form McKee stable has a few live chances on the programme today, Hotspurs in Race 6 being one of the better prospects.

Hotspurs has been topped off by two smart types, Savute and Platinum Place, in his last two appearances.

Star Of Rio and Aria provide the McKees with a very strong hand in Race 8. Both have drawn ideally.