Racing: Stable ready to attack

Mark Walker will be happy if track conditions deteriorate at Ellerslie today - as long as it is after race three.

The Matamata trainer will saddle up boom 2-year-old Don Garcia in the $50,000 the New Zealand Herald Eclipse Stakes.

The colt son of Danehill will start in the Group Three event only if the track is no worse than dead.

"I'm happy enough with the fitness of Don Garcia but he'll only run if the track is dead or better, otherwise I'll scratch him," said Walker.

"We had an injury crisis in his last start at Te Rapa when he slipped at the start and pulled a hamstring in one of his hind legs and that's why he finished fifth.

"He had to be hand walked for about four days after that race to help get over the injury but his work recently has been first-class.

"I would like to think that he is back to 100 per cent full fitness and we will be able to get a better line on him after he races on Sunday.

"With Michael Walker [regular stable jockey] out injured we've got Australian jockey Scott Seamer on board and it'll be interesting to get his thoughts on this colt."

The $1 million yearling purchase, the winner of two of three race starts, will race in blinkers for the first time.

Walker is also happy with the fitness of stable mate and leading 3-year-old filly Shikoba leading into the $100,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes.

Shikoba scored a narrow but determined last-start victory over Pulcinella in a similar event at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

"Shikoba is in fine order at the moment and she'll handle any sort of track conditions although I'll be happy if the forecast showers don't hit Ellerslie until after the third race [ Don Garcia's Eclipse Stakes].

"Any easing of the track conditions will certainly help my filly and she'll run out the 2000 metres very strongly.

"I have a bit of time for Pulcinella as she overcame a wide draw on Boxing Day to finish a close-up second behind Shikoba."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY