Racing: Sprint quartet major source of pride

Regardless of how Jim Gibbs will feel coming out of Sunday's $200,000 Railway at Ellerslie, he feels really proud going into it.

It is a big achievement for any trainer to produce four of the 14 runners in New Zealand's premier sprint.

But it is actually a lot better than that.

In handicap order, Gibbs will saddle Vinaka, Devoted, Vaalu and Darcy Bee.

"I own three of them [all but Darcy Bee], I bred two of them [Vinaka and Vaalu] and all four will be ridden by my former apprentices and in Buddy Lammas' case, a current apprentice."

Leith Innes rides Devoted, Michael Coleman will be on Vaalu, Cameron Lammas is engaged for Darcy Bee and brother Buddy will be on the former Railway winner Vinaka.

Gibbs rates Devoted his best chance even after yesterday's barrier draw threw out the No 12 gate.

"If the emergencies come out then he comes in four places to No 8, which may not be that bad."

Gibbs is obviously thinking that if the track is even slightly rain-affected then the middle of the Railway field will probably be the best place to be.

The other obvious advantage is that Devoted will not mind if the track does not come up firm on Sunday.

Devoted finished sixth, 3.4 lengths from the winner Recurring in the Railway 12 months ago after being thrown off his feet by Gee I Jane 240m from the finish.

Darcy Bee went a nice competitive race when second to Royal Entertainer in the Newmarket on Boxing Day.

Both Vinaka and Vaalu will have improved for their recent racing.

Cambridge pair Mr Multiwin and Gee I Jane come right into the race.

Gee I Jane appears to be over the problems that resulted in her reputation taking a hit on how she was assessed at this time last year.

Trainer Neville Couchman is confident he has the mare right back to her best, which would see her right in this finish from her inside gate.

Mr Multiwin appears to have been set specifically for this race.